διασπάω
diaspáō
G1288 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To tear apart, pull violently in different directions, or dismember; to draw or separate forcefully so as to break into pieces. The verb denotes violent action, often involving physical separation or destruction of unity, either of objects or metaphorically of groups or bodies.
Semantic Range
to tear apart violently, to pull in pieces, to dismember, to pluck asunder, to break apart by force, to cause violent separation
Root / Etymology
From the preposition διά (through, across) and the verb σπάω (to draw, pull); thus, 'to pull apart through or across.' Compound verb formed in Koine Greek. No Semitic borrowing is indicated; the word is transparently Greek in origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, διασπάω is found in literal contexts involving physical tearing apart or dismemberment (used of bodies, garments, groups, or other entities). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the sense is typically violent: e.g., tearing someone to pieces or causing division through forceful action (Acts 23:10: the crowd threatening to 'tear Paul apart'). The standard English renderings such as 'tear apart,' 'dismember,' or 'pull to pieces' capture the basic force of the verb, but in Greek, the verb connotes a particularly violent or complete separation. The presence of the intensifying preposition διά in compounds often adds to the sense of completeness or totality of the action. There is no significant theological or metaphorical usage in the NT or LXX; almost all occurrences refer to actual or threatened physical violence. The verb should be distinguished from related terms like διαχωρίζω (to separate, part) which lack the violent overtone, and ῥήγνυμι (to break, burst) which does not necessarily imply pulling apart by force.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and σπάω; to draw apart, i.e. sever or dismember:--pluck asunder, pull in pieces.
Root Family
σπάω (diaspáō) — to draw, to pull, to drag
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1986 | ἐπισπάομαι | let him draw over himself |
| G385 | ἀνασπάω | will pull up |
| G645 | ἀποσπάω | was pulling away |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1288-01 |
διασπασθῇ | diaspasthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
he should be torn apart | might be torn apart | might be torn apart | 1 |
G1288-02 |
διεσπάσθαι | diespasthai | V PRF PASS INF |
the chains had been torn apart | to have been torn apart | to have been torn apart | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1288-02 |
Mark 5:4 | διεσπάσθαι | diespasthai | V PRF PASS INF |
the chains had been torn apart | to have been torn apart | to have been torn apart |
G1288-01 |
Acts 23:10 | διασπασθῇ | diaspasthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
he should be torn apart | might be torn apart | might be torn apart |