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διαστολή

diastolḗ

G1293 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Separation, distinction, or differentiation; the act or state of distinguishing one thing from another, or marking out a difference between them. In contexts, refers to a marked difference, variation, or the establishment of a boundary between categories or entities.

Semantic Range

distinction, difference, separation, variation, differentiation, marking off boundaries

Root / Etymology

From the compound verb διαστέλλομαι (to separate, to make a distinction, to instruct), itself formed from δια- (through, across) and the root στελλ- (to set, arrange, put in order).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, διαστολή primarily referred to a spatial or logical separation, contrast, or delineation, used in philosophical and rhetorical contexts for distinction or discrimination between concepts. In the Septuagint, the word sometimes renders terms related to distinction, separation, or difference, especially in legal or ritual contexts (e.g., distinction between ritually pure and impure, clean and unclean). In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 3:22; 10:12; 1 Corinthians 14:7), διαστολή is employed to mean 'distinction' or 'difference,' often to express absence or presence of separation between categories (such as between Judean and Greek, or between law and faith). English translation tradition generally uses 'difference' or 'distinction,' which reflects the core meaning, but can obscure the word's broader use for any kind of categorical separation or differentiation, be it social, ritual, ethical, or logical. The semantic domain overlaps with διαφορά but διαστολή more often stresses the formal or categorial aspect of distinction instead of mere disagreement or variance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διαστέλλομαι; a variation:--difference, distinction.

Root Family

στελλ- (diastolḗ) — to set in order, to separate, to arrange

Root στελλ- to set in order, to separate, to arrange
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1821 ἐξαποστέλλω was sent out
G1989 ἐπιστέλλω I sent written instructions
G4958 συστέλλω having been drawn together
G5288 ὑποστέλλω I drew myself back
G649 ἀποστέλλω was sent forth

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1293-01 διαστολή diastole N NOM F SG distinction distinction distinction 2
G1293-02 διαστολὴν diastolen N ACC F SG distinction a distinction a distinction 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1293-01 Romans 3:22 διαστολή diastole N NOM F SG distinction distinction distinction
G1293-01 Romans 10:12 διαστολὴ diastole N NOM F SG distinction distinction distinction
G1293-02 1 Corinthians 14:7 διαστολὴν diastolen N ACC F SG distinction a distinction a distinction
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