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διαπραγματεύομαι

diapragmateúomai

G1281 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To conduct business or engage in transactions for profit, often with a sense of managing, negotiating, or operating in trade. In broader usage, to accomplish or achieve something through action or enterprise; particularly, in a commercial sense, to carry out transactions or to deal in matters with diligence and thoroughness. The term is sometimes used metaphorically for managing affairs, not necessarily limited to financial contexts, but generally maintaining the nuance of productive, purposeful action.

Semantic Range

to conduct business, to negotiate, to accomplish through enterprise, to earn by trading, to deal with matters diligently

Root / Etymology

Formed from διά (through, thoroughly) and πραγματεύομαι (to do business, to trade). διά intensifies the verbal action, indicating thorough or extensive engagement in business or affairs.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πραγματεύομαι primarily referred to conducting business, managing affairs, or engaging in trade. The compound διαπραγματεύομαι appears mainly in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Luke 19:15), with an emphasis on expending significant effort or competence in transaction or enterprise. While the sense of 'to gain by trading' is common, the verb can also indicate accomplishing something through negotiation or diligent effort. The term is rare in the Septuagint, but classical sources and papyri show it in contexts beyond merchant activity, such as negotiation, dealing with legal or political affairs. English translations often narrow it to 'gain by trading' in parabolic passages, but its semantic range encompasses all forms of achieving or managing affairs by effort, not simply monetary gain.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and πραγματεύομαι; to thoroughly occupy oneself, i.e. (transitively and by implication) to earn in business:--gain by trading.

Root Family

διαπραγματεύομαι (diapragmateuomai) — to engage in trade, to transact, to manage affairs thoroughly

Root πραγματευ- to engage in trade, to transact, to manage affairs

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1281-01 διεπραγματεύσαντο diepragmateusanto V AOR MID IND 3P PL they had gained by trading they transacted for themselves they transacted for themselves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1281-01 Luke 19:15 διεπραγματεύσαντο diepragmateusanto V AOR MID IND 3P PL they had gained by trading they transacted for themselves they transacted for themselves
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