διΐστημι
diḯstēmi
G1339 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To set apart, separate, or move away; to cause to be at a distance or to intervene between; also to go further or proceed to a greater distance. The word carries the primary sense of establishing space between entities, whether spatially (to separate, to set at distance) or temporally (to elapse, to intervene with time). Can also mean to depart from, or to act in a way that causes separation or distance.
Semantic Range
to separate, to set at a distance, to cause to stand apart, to make a division, to depart, to withdraw, to elapse (of time), to intervene, to go further, to proceed beyond
Root / Etymology
Compound of διά (through, across) and ἵστημι (to stand, to set). The prefix intensifies or indicates movement through or across a space, while the stem gives the sense of standing or placing, thus yielding 'to stand apart' or 'to set at a distance.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, διΐστημι is used to describe physical separation or the act of causing things to stand apart — of dividing spaces, armies, or persons (cf. Xenophon, Herodotus). In Septuagint and Koine usage, it retains this spatial sense but can also denote the passage of time between events (e.g., 'after an interval'). In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 22:41), it describes Jesus distancing himself physically from his disciples, emphasizing physical separation. In some contexts, especially in narrative Greek, it can imply moving forward or further (to proceed beyond a point). Standard English translations such as "go further" and "withdraw" capture main senses, but sometimes do not distinguish between physical, temporal, or causative separation implied by the verb. Related to more general verbs for separating (χωρίζω, διαχωρίζω), but διΐστημι highlights the standing (positioning) aspect, not dissolution or division per se.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and ἵστημι; to stand apart, i.e. (reflexively) to remove, intervene:--go further, be parted, after the space of.
Root Family
διΐστημι (diistēmi) — to set apart, to separate, to stand at distance
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1339-03 |
διέστη | dieste | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he parted | he set apart | he parted | 1 |
G1339-02 |
διαστήσαντες | diastesantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having gone farther | having set apart | having gone farther | 1 |
G1339-01 |
διαστάσης | diastases | V AOR ACT PTCP GEN F SG |
after an interval | having set apart | having intervened | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1339-01 |
Luke 22:59 | διαστάσης | diastases | V AOR ACT PTCP GEN F SG |
after an interval | having set apart | having intervened |
G1339-03 |
Luke 24:51 | διέστη | dieste | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he parted | he set apart | he parted |
G1339-02 |
Acts 27:28 | διαστήσαντες | diastesantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having gone farther | having set apart | having gone farther |