διορύσσω (diorussō)
diorussō
to break in
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diorusso means to dig through or break into a structure, specifically describing the act of tunneling into a house to steal from it. In the New Testament, this word appears only four times, primarily in the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew and Luke. It paints a vivid picture of criminal activity that requires significant effort and time, rather than a quick smash-and-grab.
Jesus uses this specific imagery to illustrate the vulnerability of earthly possessions. In Matthew 6:19-20 and Luke 12:33, He contrasts storing up treasures on earth with storing them in heaven, noting that thieves can break in and steal. The word emphasizes the physical reality of theft; hoarded wealth is not safe from determined intruders who will literally dig through walls to access it.
The term highlights the insecurity of material wealth. By choosing a verb that implies digging through solid barriers, the text underscores that earthly security is an illusion. This concrete image serves as a powerful reminder that true safety lies elsewhere, beyond the reach of those who would break in.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word diorusso describes a determined thief who digs through walls to reach hidden valuables. This image appears in Jesus’ teaching about where we place our trust. When we store our security in material things, we create targets for those willing to break in. The effort required to steal suggests that earthly wealth is never truly safe from human greed or chance.
Jesus invites us to look beyond these fragile protections. He points to a treasure that cannot be accessed by digging through walls or broken into by force. This shift in focus offers a different kind of security, one that does not depend on locks or alarms but on faithfulness to God. It is an invitation to rest in what cannot be taken away.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to be broken into2×
- do break in1×
- break in1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διορύσσουσιν2×
- διορυχθῆναι2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:19
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
This verse introduces the verb to contrast earthly treasures, which are vulnerable to determined thieves, with heavenly ones.
-
Matthew 6:20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;
Here the same word is used negatively to show that heaven provides a secure storehouse where no one can break in.
-
Matthew 24:43
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Jesus uses this imagery of breaking into a house to illustrate the unexpected nature of His return and the need for spiritual readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does diorusso mean in the Bible?
Why does Jesus use this specific word for theft?
Where else does this word appear in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Matthew 3 verses
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and…
Matthew 6:20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break…
Matthew 24:43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have…