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διαπεράω

diaperáō

G1276 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To go across, pass through to the other side, or traverse entirely from one side to another. In various contexts, it means to cross over a body of water or a region, to travel from one boundary or side to another, or to penetrate through an intervening space. The verb emphasizes the act of completing a passage from an initial point to a definite, opposite endpoint.

Semantic Range

to cross to the other side, to traverse a space or distance, to pass through entirely, to sail across, to complete a crossing

Root / Etymology

From διά ('through, across') and a verb derived from the base of πέραν ('the other side, beyond'). The construction highlights the act of crossing from one side to the other; thus, διαπεράω literally means 'to go or bring through to the other side.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic Greek, particularly in maritime or travel contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, διαπεράω is almost always used for crossing a body of water, such as a sea or lake (e.g., Luke 8:22: 'Let us cross to the other side of the lake'). The word appears in narratives describing complete transit from one spatial boundary to another, differentiating it from verbs meaning 'to go' (πορεύομαι) or 'to pass by' (παρέρχομαι). The base πέραν refers to 'the far side' or 'beyond,' intensifying the sense of thorough passage. Standard English translations such as 'cross over,' 'sail across,' or 'go over' generally capture the word’s primary sense, although they may not always convey the completed nature of the action implicit in the Greek. Not common in classical Greek, the term finds its clearest semantic domain in Koine travel and geographic contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "cross" 6 occurrences

‘Cross’ is the most natural, common English verb that captures the primary sense of διαπεράω—going from one side to the other, traversing or passing through an intervening space (including crossing water). It is broad enough to cover sailing or traversing contexts while remaining more specific and idiomatic than alternatives like ‘pass’ or ‘traverse,’ supporting consistent, natural renderings across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and a derivative of the base of πέραν; to cross entirely:--go over, pass (over), sail over.

Root Family

περ- (diaperáō) — to cross, to go over, to traverse

Root περ- to cross, to go over, to traverse
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4038 πέριξ all around

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1276-01 διαπεράσαντες diaperasantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL they had crossed over having crossed over having crossed over 2
G1276-02 διαπεράσαντος diaperasantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG had crossed over of having crossed over having crossed over 1
G1276-03 διαπερῶν diaperon V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG sailing over crossing over crossing over 1
G1276-04 διαπερῶσιν diaperosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL cross over they may cross over they may cross over 1
G1276-05 διεπέρασεν dieperasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG He crossed over he crossed over he crossed over 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1276-05 Matthew 9:1 διεπέρασεν dieperasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG He crossed over he crossed over he crossed over
G1276-01 Matthew 14:34 διαπεράσαντες diaperasantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL they had crossed over having crossed over having crossed over
G1276-02 Mark 5:21 διαπεράσαντος diaperasantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG had crossed over of having crossed over having crossed over
G1276-01 Mark 6:53 διαπεράσαντες diaperasantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL they had crossed over having crossed over having crossed over
G1276-04 Luke 16:26 διαπερῶσιν diaperosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL cross over they may cross over they may cross over
G1276-03 Acts 21:2 διαπερῶν diaperon V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG sailing over crossing over crossing over
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