διατάσσω
diatássō
G1299 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To arrange, set in order, or assign a task or regulation, often with the sense of giving authoritative instructions or orders; in extended contexts, to establish, prescribe, or institute rules, procedures, or roles, whether in administrative, military, or legal settings.
Semantic Range
to order authoritatively, to prescribe, to establish by decree, to institute, to appoint or set over, to give directive, to command (formally), to set in proper order
Root / Etymology
From διά (dia, through, across, thoroughly) and τάσσω (tassō, to arrange, to order, to appoint), forming a compound meaning 'to thoroughly arrange' or 'to assign with authority.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, διατάσσω was common in military, administrative, and legal contexts, signifying the authoritative arranging or stipulating of orders, laws, or tasks. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew roots for commanding or ordaining, especially in reference to divine law or priestly/royal decrees (often rendering צִוָּה, ṣiwah). In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the giving of authoritative instructions or orders, whether by humans (e.g., Roman authorities, community leaders) or divine agents (God or angels). Its use carries a formal or official tone, often more prescriptive and foundational than the related verb ἐντέλλομαι (entellomai, to command), which may carry a narrower or less institutional sense. English translations often render it as 'command,' 'order,' 'appoint,' or 'ordain,' but the nuance of systematic arrangement or institutional establishment can be missed. The semantic range encompasses both the granting of specific orders and the institution of ongoing practices or offices. It does not inherently convey a religious or ritual meaning, but acquires this by context.
Translation Consistency
διατάσσω most commonly carries the sense of giving authoritative instructions, arranging or prescribing something. “Order” is a natural, flexible English verb that covers commanding, instituting, appointing or setting in order, and thus best matches the typical uses across the semantic range.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and τάσσω; to arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specially) institute, prescribe, etc.:--appoint, command, give, (set in) order, ordain.
Root Family
διατάσσω (diatassō) — arrange, order, assign, appoint
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1299-01 |
διαταχθέντα | diatachthenta | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
commanded | having been authoritatively arranged | having been ordered | 2 |
G1299-13 |
διέταξεν | dietaxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He commanded | he ordered | he ordered | 2 |
G1299-08 |
διατεταγμένον | diatetagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
is appointed | having been authoritatively appointed | the thing having been ordered | 2 |
G1299-03 |
διατάσσομαι | diatassomai | V PRS MID IND 1P SG |
I direct | I am authoritatively arranging | I direct | 1 |
G1299-09 |
διατεταγμένος | diatetagmenos | V PRF MID PTCP NOM M SG |
had arranged | having been authoritatively appointed | having arranged | 1 |
G1299-10 |
διέταξα | dietaxa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I directed | I ordered | I ordered | 1 |
G1299-06 |
διατάξομαι | diataxomai | V FUT MID IND 1P SG |
I will arrange | I will appoint authoritatively | I will appoint authoritatively | 1 |
G1299-02 |
διαταγεὶς | diatageis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
ordained | having been authoritatively appointed | having been ordained | 1 |
G1299-05 |
διαταξάμενος | diataxamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
having commanded | having authoritatively arranged | having authoritatively arranged | 1 |
G1299-12 |
διετάξατο | dietaxato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
directed | he appointed for himself | he directed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1299-04 |
Matthew 11:1 | διατάσσων | diatasson | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
giving instructions | authoritatively ordering | authoritatively ordering |
G1299-08 |
Luke 3:13 | διατεταγμένον | diatetagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
is appointed | having been authoritatively appointed | the thing having been ordered |
G1299-13 |
Luke 8:55 | διέταξεν | dietaxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He commanded | he ordered | he ordered |
G1299-01 |
Luke 17:9 | διαταχθέντα | diatachthenta | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
commanded | having been authoritatively arranged | having been ordered |
G1299-01 |
Luke 17:10 | διαταχθέντα | diatachthenta | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
commanded | having been authoritatively arranged | having been ordered |
G1299-12 |
Acts 7:44 | διετάξατο | dietaxato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
directed | he appointed for himself | he directed |
G1299-07 |
Acts 18:2 | διατεταχέναι | diatetachenai | V PRF ACT INF |
having commanded | to have authoritatively arranged | having commanded |
G1299-09 |
Acts 20:13 | διατεταγμένος | diatetagmenos | V PRF MID PTCP NOM M SG |
had arranged | having been authoritatively appointed | having arranged |
G1299-08 |
Acts 23:31 | διατεταγμένον | diatetagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
ordered | having been authoritatively appointed | the thing having been ordered |
G1299-05 |
Acts 24:23 | διαταξάμενος | diataxamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
having commanded | having authoritatively arranged | having authoritatively arranged |