διστάζω
distázō
G1365 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be uncertain or to waver in thought or feeling; primarily, to experience doubt or hesitation, especially in decision-making or belief. The verb indicates an internal conflict, vacillation, or hesitation, most often in the context of faith or commitment to a course of action. In the New Testament, typically used for wavering or hesitating in faith (e.g., hesitating to trust fully).
Semantic Range
to be of two minds, to hesitate, to waver, to doubt, to vacillate, to feel uncertain
Root / Etymology
From δίς (dis, 'twice', 'doubly'), forming a denominative verb. The etymological idea is that of 'two-ness' or duplication, hence being of two minds or uncertain between alternatives.
Historical & Contextual Notes
διστάζω is a rare verb in Greek, first attested in Hellenistic and early Christian literature. It occurs in the New Testament with the sense of hesitating or doubting, especially regarding faith or conviction (as in Matthew 14:31, 28:17). There is a close conceptual overlap with διακρίνω ('to doubt', 'to waver'), but διστάζω emphasizes the experience of being pulled between two courses or thoughts due to uncertainty or fear. Standard English translations render 'διστάζω' as 'doubt' or 'hesitate', but the root thought is 'being of two minds'—a wavering or oscillation rooted in internal conflict, not necessarily intellectual skepticism. Its use outside the New Testament is extremely limited. Unlike διακρίνω, which can take on judicial, evaluative, or discriminatory meanings, διστάζω is primarily psychological, referring to inner distress or inability to commit to a conviction or action. The semantic nuance is often narrowed in translation as 'to doubt', but the term's broader sense includes both intellectual hesitation and emotional uncertainty.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from δίς; properly, to duplicate, i.e. (mentally) to waver (in opinion):--doubt.
Root Family
διστάζω (distazō) — to be double, to waver, to hesitate
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1365-01 |
ἐδίστασαν | edistasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
doubted | they wavered | they wavered | 1 |
G1365-02 |
ἐδίστασας | edistasas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
did you doubt | you wavered | you wavered | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1365-02 |
Matthew 14:31 | ἐδίστασας | edistasas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
did you doubt | you wavered | you wavered |
G1365-01 |
Matthew 28:17 | ἐδίστασαν | edistasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
doubted | they wavered | they wavered |