διεμάχοντο
diamáchomai
strove
To engage in intense conflict or heated dispute, often involving verbal or legal contention; to fight strenuously, especially in argument or altercation. The term conveys a sense of vigorous opposition or contest, with emphasis on the intensity or forcefulness of the exchange. It can refer to physical combat but is more commonly associated in Hellenistic and Koine contexts with heated debate, legal struggle, or persistent arguing.
Acts 23:9 · Word #14
Lexicon G1264
| Lemma | διαμάχομαι |
| Transliteration | diamáchomai |
| Strong's | G1264 |
| Definition | To engage in intense conflict or heated dispute, often involving verbal or legal contention; to fight strenuously, especially in argument or altercation. The term conveys a sense of vigorous opposition or contest, with emphasis on the intensity or forcefulness of the exchange. It can refer to physical combat but is more commonly associated in Hellenistic and Koine contexts with heated debate, legal struggle, or persistent arguing. |
Morphology V IMPF MID IND 3P PL
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state of being |
| Tense | IMPF — Imperfect — Continuous or repeated past action |
| Voice | MID — Middle — The subject acts on itself or in its own interest |
| Mood | IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality |
| Person | 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they") |
| Number | PL — Plural — More than one |
Common Translation
| Phrase | strove |
| Literal | they-contended |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | διαμάχομαι |
| Strong's | G1264 |
SIBI-P1 Translation G1264-01
they were fiercely contending
| Morphological Notes | Verb; imperfect tense (past ongoing), middle voice (self-involved/engaged), indicative mood, third person plural. |
| Rendering Rationale | The imperfect middle indicative, third person plural, denotes ongoing past action in which the subjects were actively engaged for themselves in intense dispute. "Were fiercely contending" preserves the durative imperfect and the intensified conflict inherent in δια- + μάχομαι. |
View full lexicon entry for G1264 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
they were fiercely contending
| Same as P1 | Yes |
| Rationale | P1 is accurate and captures the aspect and intensity; the context is about an intense dispute. |