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διανόημα (dianoēma)

dianoēma

thought

G1270 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun dianoēma refers to a specific thought or act of reasoning. Derived from the verb for thinking deeply, it appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:17. Here, Jesus uses the term to describe the internal logic behind his actions, noting that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand because its own thoughts are at odds.

In this context, the word highlights the coherence of mental processes. Just as a physical structure requires structural integrity, a household or nation requires unified reasoning to survive. The sources link it to the Hebrew concept of machashavah, emphasizing that these are not fleeting impressions but deliberate cognitive acts that shape reality.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word dianoēma points to a specific thought or act of reasoning that shapes our inner world. In Luke 11:17, Jesus uses this term to describe the internal logic behind actions, showing how divided thoughts lead to collapse. This reminds us that our minds are not just passive observers but active participants in building our lives.

When we face confusion or conflict, checking our dianoēma helps us see if our reasoning is unified or fractured. Just as a house needs structural integrity to stand, our hearts need coherent thoughts to remain stable. This word invites us to examine the foundations of our decisions with honesty and care.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • thoughts1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • διανοήματα1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 11:17
    But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls.

    Jesus uses this term to explain that a kingdom or house falls when its internal reasoning is divided against itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does dianoēma mean in the Bible?

Dianoēma is a Greek noun meaning a specific thought or act of reasoning. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:17, where Jesus describes the internal logic that leads to division or unity.

How is dianoēma different from other words for thought?

Unlike general terms for thinking, dianoēma refers to a deliberate cognitive act or specific reasoning process. It emphasizes the structural integrity of thoughts rather than fleeting impressions, highlighting how our mental coherence affects our actions.

Why is this word significant in Luke 11:17?

In this verse, Jesus uses dianoēma to illustrate that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. It shows that internal disagreement in reasoning leads to external collapse, offering a principle for personal and communal stability.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)