διαλείπω (dialeipō)
dialeipō
to stop
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb dialeipō means to pause or interrupt an ongoing action for a time. It suggests a temporary cessation rather than a permanent end, describing a break in continuity that allows for a change of focus. The word combines a prefix indicating separation or thoroughness with a root meaning to leave behind.
This specific nuance appears clearly in Luke 7:45, where Jesus contrasts Simon’s hospitality with that of the woman who anointed his feet. Jesus notes that he did not receive a kiss, yet she has not ceased kissing his feet since he entered. Here, dialeipō highlights the persistent, unbroken nature of her affection compared to the interrupted or absent courtesy of his host.
Translators often render this as "cease" or "stop," capturing the sense of an action that halts and then resumes. The term emphasizes the duration of the pause, marking a distinct interval within a larger sequence of events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dialeipō describes a temporary pause rather than a permanent end. It suggests that an action is interrupted for a time but can resume later. This nuance helps us understand that breaks in our spiritual journey are not necessarily failures, but moments of rest or redirection.
In Luke 7:45, Jesus uses this concept to highlight the woman’s persistent love. She did not stop showing affection; her actions flowed continuously without interruption. This contrasts sharply with Simon, whose hospitality was brief and lacked depth. The passage invites us to examine whether our devotion is a fleeting gesture or a steady commitment.
When life forces us to pause, we can trust that God sees the heart behind the action. A temporary stop does not erase previous faithfulness. Instead, it offers a chance to realign our focus before continuing the walk of love and obedience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- she has ceased1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διέλιπεν1×
Key Verses
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Luke 7:45
You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
Jesus uses this term to contrast the woman's continuous, unbroken affection with Simon's brief and interrupted hospitality.