διανέμω (dianemō)
dianemō
to spread
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb dianemō means to distribute or divide something into portions. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 4:17, where the religious leaders decide to call the apostles in and command them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The context suggests a distribution of authority or perhaps a spreading of their influence that needed to be contained.
Its root combines dia ("through" or "apart") with nemō ("to allot" or "distribute"), implying a careful division among recipients. While primarily active, it can also function passively, meaning to be spread about, though this usage is less common in the biblical text. Translators typically render it as "command" or "charge" depending on context, reflecting the authoritative nature of the distribution.
This single occurrence highlights how the word carries weight in moments of institutional control. The leaders’ attempt to regulate the apostles’ message underscores the tension between established authority and emerging faith. The verb’s precision in dividing responsibility or speech makes it a useful tool for describing structured communication within early Christian communities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When authority tries to silence truth, the instinct is often to retreat or hide. In Acts 4:17, the religious leaders used a word meaning to spread or distribute to describe their plan: they wanted to contain the apostles' message so it would not spread further among the people. This moment captures a timeless tension between institutional control and the living witness of faith.
Yet the very attempt to restrict the gospel often highlights its power. The leaders feared the influence because it was already taking root in hearts. For you, this word reminds us that truth cannot be permanently contained by human decree. Even when circumstances feel restrictive, the message of Christ continues to move forward.
Your voice matters not because of your status, but because of the truth you carry. Trust that God’s purposes are not bound by human limitations. He uses ordinary people to spread hope in difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it may spread1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διανεμηθῇ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 4:17
But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”
This is the only occurrence of the word, where leaders attempt to restrict the apostles' message so it does not spread further among the people.