διαφέρω
diaphérō
G1308 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To carry through or across; to transport or convey from one place to another. By extension, to be different from, to differ or be distinct; to surpass, excel, or stand out as superior. In some contexts, carries the nuance of spreading a report, proclaiming or publishing information. The core sense is the act of 'bearing apart'—moving, distinguishing, or transporting, which underlies the development of the more abstract sense, 'to differ' or 'to excel'.
Semantic Range
to transport, to convey, to bear apart, to differ, to be different, to excel, to surpass, to be of superior value, to make a difference, to publish, to spread abroad (as a report or information)
Root / Etymology
From διά (through, across) + φέρω (to bear, carry). The sense development reflects the combination of 'bearing' with the idea of 'through' or 'across,' giving rise to both literal (transport, convey) and figurative (distinguish, differ, excel) meanings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, διαφέρω is first attested in the sense of 'carry through' (e.g., physically transporting goods or people, such as a boat through water). Over time, especially in philosophical and rhetorical literature, it developed the more abstract sense of 'to differ,' 'to be different,' or 'to be superior,' especially in contexts of moral, qualitative, or quantitative distinction. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb most often refers to being different or excelling in value, quality, or status (e.g., Hebrews 1:4: Christ has become 'so much better than the angels'). Occasionally, it can mean 'to spread abroad,' as in disseminating information or a reputation (e.g., Luke 13:1: 'some present told...' uses the participle to mean 'reported'). English translations often shift between 'excel,' 'be more,' or 'differ' for διαφέρω, sometimes missing the connotations of superiority or valued distinction implied in some contexts. The range includes literal (physical transport), metaphoric (differ, excel), and communication (spread a report) senses, with figurative nuances predominating in Koine contexts. Related words bearing the φερ- root cluster likewise focus on bearing or bringing, but διαφέρω is distinguished by its prefix emphasizing division, distinction, or traversal.
Translation Consistency
In NT usage διαφέρω most often carries the sense of being different, making a difference, or standing out/surpassing. 'Differ' is natural English that covers the primary senses (to be different; to be superior or make a difference) while remaining flexible for comparative constructions. The rare sense of physical carrying/transport is less common and can be handled by context-specific renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and φέρω; to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass:--be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.
Root Family
διαφερ- (diaphérō) — to carry through, to bear across, to differ, to surpass
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1308-01 |
διαφέρει | diapherei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
differs | he/she/it differs | he/she/it differs | 4 |
G1308-02 |
διαφέρετε | diapherete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you are of more value | you differ | you are differing | 4 |
G1308-04 |
διαφέροντα | diapheronta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL |
that are excellent | surpassing things | differing things | 2 |
G1308-03 |
διαφερομένων | diapheromenon | V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M PL |
we were driven up and down | of those being borne across | while we were being borne across | 1 |
G1308-05 |
διενέγκῃ | dienegke | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
carry | may carry across | may carry across | 1 |
G1308-06 |
διεφέρετο | diephereto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was spread | was being carried across | was being spread | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1308-02 |
Matthew 6:26 | διαφέρετε | diapherete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
worth more | you differ | you are differing |
G1308-02 |
Matthew 10:31 | διαφέρετε | diapherete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you are of more value | you differ | you are worth more |
G1308-01 |
Matthew 12:12 | διαφέρει | diapherei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
is valuable | he/she/it differs | he/she/it differs |
G1308-05 |
Mark 11:16 | διενέγκῃ | dienegke | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
carry | may carry across | may carry across |
G1308-02 |
Luke 12:7 | διαφέρετε | diapherete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you are of more value | you differ | you are superior |
G1308-02 |
Luke 12:24 | διαφέρετε | diapherete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
better | you differ | you are differing |
G1308-06 |
Acts 13:49 | διεφέρετο | diephereto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was spread | was being carried across | was being spread |
G1308-03 |
Acts 27:27 | διαφερομένων | diapheromenon | V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M PL |
we were driven up and down | of those being borne across | while we were being borne across |
G1308-04 |
Romans 2:18 | διαφέροντα | diapheronta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL |
that are more excellent | surpassing things | differing things |
G1308-01 |
1 Corinthians 15:41 | διαφέρει | diapherei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
differs | he/she/it differs | he/she/it differs |
G1308-01 |
Galatians 2:6 | διαφέρει | diapherei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
makes a difference | he/she/it differs | makes a difference |
G1308-01 |
Galatians 4:1 | διαφέρει | diapherei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
differs | he/she/it differs | he/she/it differs |
G1308-04 |
Philippians 1:10 | διαφέροντα | diapheronta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL |
that are excellent | surpassing things | differing things |