διαβάλλω (diaballō)
diaballō
to accuse
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diaballō literally means to throw across or through, but in Scripture it carries the heavy weight of slander and malicious accusation. It describes a deliberate act of speaking against someone to damage their reputation, often with false or distorted claims. This is not simple disagreement; it is a destructive speech act aimed at undermining trust.
Its most notable appearance occurs in Luke 16:14, where the Pharisees are described as "lovers of money" who heard Jesus’ teaching and sneered at him. Here, the word captures their hostile reaction—they actively disparaged his message to protect their own status. The term implies a intent to harm through words, turning neutral information into a weapon.
While modern English often uses "slander" or "defame," diaballō emphasizes the active, aggressive nature of the accusation. It is not passive gossip but a targeted effort to throw something damaging across the gap between people. The word reminds readers that speech can be used to build bridges or to tear them down.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word diakollō describes an act of throwing something across, often used in Scripture for malicious slander or false accusation. It is not merely disagreement but a deliberate attempt to damage someone's reputation through distorted speech. In Luke 16:14, the Pharisees are depicted as sneering at Jesus, using their words to disparage His message and protect their own status.
This word reminds us that speech can be a weapon or a bridge. When we hear false accusations against others, or when we feel targeted by them, it is easy to respond with hostility. Yet, the example of Christ shows a different path. He did not retaliate with slander but remained faithful to the truth.
In your daily life, you may encounter situations where trust is broken by gossip or lies. This word invites you to reflect on how you use your tongue. Are you building up or tearing down? May you find peace in knowing that God sees the heart and judges with justice, offering you the grace to respond with integrity even when others do not.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was accused1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διεβλήθη1×
Key Verses
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Luke 16:1
He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
The accusation against the manager sets the stage for Jesus' parable, highlighting how false reports can disrupt relationships and require divine wisdom to resolve.