← G1255 G1257 →

διαλέγομαι

dialégomai

G1256 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To engage in dialogue or discussion, to hold a discourse or conversation with others, often involving reasoning, explanation, or examination of ideas in a dialogic format. In various contexts, it involves discussing, debating, arguing, deliberating, or giving a public address involving interaction. The sense includes both formal discussions (debate, argumentation) and informal conversation or explanation.

Semantic Range

to discuss, to argue, to reason, to debate, to hold a dialogue, to converse, to deliberate, to lecture (with participation), to have an exchange of ideas

Root / Etymology

From διά (through, thoroughly) + λέγω (to speak, to say, to recount); middle/passive in form, reflecting reciprocal or participatory engagement in speaking. The compound suggests the idea of 'speaking through' or 'discussing thoroughly.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, διαλέγομαι typically referred to engaging in conversation, discussion, or dialogue, often with the sense of rational discourse or dialectical argument, as found in philosophical settings (notably in Plato). By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the term retained this sense of dialogic engagement but could also denote public lecturing or reasoning in religious, civic, or instructional contexts. In the New Testament, διαλέγομαι is frequently used for Paul’s manner of reasoning or discussing in synagogues and public places, signifying a dialogic method of engagement with interlocutors rather than monologic preaching. Standard English translations sometimes render it as 'reason,' 'discuss,' or even 'preach,' but such renderings may obscure the dialogic (two-way) nature of the term in contrast to monologue (κηρύσσω). In the Septuagint, the term is rare but maintains its dialogic nuance. Compare also the more general λαλέω (to speak), which covers speech broadly without the specific nuance of reasoned exchange or dialogue.

Translation Consistency

primary "discuss" 9 occurrences

“Discuss” best captures the full, typical range of διαλέγομαι — dialogic exchange whether informal conversation, reasoning, debate, or explanatory discourse. It is natural English, neutral (less polemical than “argue” and broader than “converse”), and matches the majority of attested P2 renderings.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"engaged in discussion" (2x) "paul was speaking" (1x) "speaks" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from διά and λέγω; to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation):--dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak.

Root Family

διαλέγομαι (dialegomai) — to speak thoroughly, to discuss, to reason, to converse

Root δια-λεγ- to speak thoroughly, to discuss, to reason, to converse

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1256-06 διελέγετο dielegeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG disputed was engaging in discussion was discussing 4
G1256-03 διαλεγόμενος dialegomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reasoning engaging in discussion discussing (with others) 2
G1256-07 διελέξατο dielexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG reasoned engaged in discussion engaged in discussion 2
G1256-04 διαλεγομένου dialegomenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG as he was reasoning of one discussing discussing 2
G1256-01 διαλέγεται dialegetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG speaks engages in dialogue speaks 1
G1256-05 διελέχθησαν dielechthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they had discussed they discussed they discussed 1
G1256-02 διαλεγόμενον dialegomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG disputing discussing with discussing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1256-05 Mark 9:34 διελέχθησαν dielechthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they had discussed they discussed they discussed
G1256-07 Acts 17:2 διελέξατο dielexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG reasoned engaged in discussion engaged in discussion
G1256-06 Acts 17:17 διελέγετο dielegeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG was reasoning was engaging in discussion was discussing
G1256-06 Acts 18:4 διελέγετο dielegeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG he was reasoning was engaging in discussion was discussing
G1256-07 Acts 18:19 διελέξατο dielexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG reasoned engaged in discussion engaged in discussion
G1256-03 Acts 19:8 διαλεγόμενος dialegomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reasoning engaging in discussion discussing (with others)
G1256-03 Acts 19:9 διαλεγόμενος dialegomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reasoning engaging in discussion discussing (with others)
G1256-06 Acts 20:7 διελέγετο dielegeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG talked was engaging in discussion was discussing
G1256-04 Acts 20:9 διαλεγομένου dialegomenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG talking of one discussing as Paul was speaking
G1256-02 Acts 24:12 διαλεγόμενον dialegomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG disputing discussing with discussing
← G1255 Greek Lexicon G1257 →