διαγίνομαι (diaginomai)
diaginomai
to pass
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diaginomai describes time that has passed or intervened between events. It conveys the sense of a period elapsing, such as when days or weeks go by without specific action being recorded. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, often marking a transition in the narrative timeline.
Its usage highlights the passage of time rather than human activity within it. For instance, Mark 16:1 notes that "when the Sabbath was past," indicating the interval between the crucifixion and the women’s visit to the tomb. Similarly, Acts 25:13 uses it to describe how several days elapsed before King Agrippa arrived in Caesarea.
This word helps readers understand the rhythm of biblical storytelling, where time itself becomes a character. By noting how long certain events took to unfold, diaginomai adds depth to the historical account without requiring additional detail about what happened during those intervals.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word diaginomai simply marks the passage of time. It appears in Scripture to show that days have passed or seasons have turned. This quiet movement of time reminds us that God is present even when nothing dramatic seems to happen. The narrative pauses, allowing events to unfold at their own pace.
In Mark 16:1, we see this word used as the Sabbath ends and the women prepare to visit the tomb. It captures a moment of waiting before revelation. Similarly, Acts 27:9 notes that much time had passed before Paul warned his companions about sailing. These moments of elapsed time are not empty; they are part of God's timing.
When you feel like life is moving slowly or that nothing is changing, remember that diaginomai describes exactly this interval. Time is passing, and God is working within it. You do not need to force outcomes. Trust that the seasons will turn as they should, bringing clarity and peace in due time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having passed2×
- when was passing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διαγενομένου2×
- διαγενομένων1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 16:1
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
This occurrence marks the transition from the Sabbath rest to the discovery of the empty tomb, highlighting the interval between death and resurrection.
-
Acts 27:9
When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them
Here the word emphasizes that a significant period had elapsed, making further travel dangerous and underscoring Paul's timely warning.
-
Acts 25:13
Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
It signals the brief interval before King Agrippa's arrival, setting the stage for the legal proceedings that follow.