Strong's g1279

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-por-YOO-om-ahee

Basic Definition

Key Information

διαπορεύομαι

Transliteration: diaporeuomai Part of Speech: verb First Appears: Luke 6:1 Appears: 5 times

Strong’s Entry

g1279

Gloss: diaporeuomai (dee-ap-or-yoo’-om-ai) v.1. to travel through[from G1223 and G4198]KJV: go through, journey in, pass by Root(s): G1223, G4198 

Strong’s G1279: Διαπορεύομαι (diaporeuomai) fundamentally means “to journey through” or “to pass through completely from one place to another.” It describes purposeful movement along a path or through a region with a definite destination in mind. The word conveys not merely casual wandering but intentional travel with direction and purpose, often implying a mission or calling that guides the journey.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through”) + πορεύομαι (poreuomai, “to go, proceed, travel”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in Luke’s Gospel and Acts
• Voice: Middle/Passive deponent (active in meaning though middle/passive in form)
• Tense Usage: Primarily imperfect and present tenses, indicating ongoing action

Διαπορεύομαι Morphology:

• διαπορεύομαι (present indicative, 1st person singular) – I am passing through
• διεπορεύετο (imperfect indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she was passing through
• διαπορευόμενοι (present participle, nominative plural) – those who are passing through
• διαπορεύεσθαι (present infinitive) – to pass through
• διαπορευθῆναι (aorist infinitive, passive) – to have passed through

Origin & History

The term διαπορεύομαι has roots in classical Greek literature where it described physical travel between locations. Xenophon used it in his “Anabasis” to describe the journey of the Ten Thousand Greek mercenaries through hostile territories, emphasizing purposeful movement through challenging terrain. The preposition διά adds the nuance of “thoroughly” or “completely” to the base verb πορεύομαι, indicating movement that fully traverses from one point to another.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διαπορεύομαι appears in several passages, including Numbers and Joshua, where it describes Israel’s journeys through wilderness territories and into the Promised Land. This usage established theological undertones of divinely guided movement toward a covenant destination. The term gained further significance in Jewish Hellenistic literature, where Philo of Alexandria employed it metaphorically to describe the soul’s journey through life’s challenges toward divine understanding.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical Journey: Literal travel through geographical regions or territories
• Progressive Movement: Step-by-step advancement along a determined path
• Purposeful Transit: Movement with clear direction and intention
• Complete Traversal: Passing entirely through something from beginning to end
• Missional Travel: Journey undertaken for a specific calling or purpose

Διαπορεύομαι Translation Options:

• “To journey through” – Captures the continuous nature of the passage through territories and emphasizes the process rather than just arrival
• “To pass through completely” – Highlights the thoroughness implied by the διά prefix and suggests completing the entire journey
• “To make one’s way through” – Indicates intentionality and effort in the traversing process
• “To travel across” – Emphasizes the crossing of boundaries or territories
• “To proceed through” – Suggests methodical, orderly movement through spaces or situations

Biblical Usage

Διαπορεύομαι appears primarily in Luke’s writings, occurring 5 times in his Gospel and once in Acts. This pattern aligns with Luke’s focus on journey narratives and the progression of the gospel message across geographical and cultural boundaries. Its first appearance in Luke 6:1 portrays Yeshua and His disciples “passing through” grain fields on the Sabbath, setting the stage for a teaching moment about the true meaning of Sabbath observance. This usage establishes an important motif: divine revelation often occurs during journeys rather than in static locations.

Luke employs διαπορεύομαι to trace Yeshua’s intentional movement toward Jerusalem and His destined sacrifice, emphasizing that the Messiah’s travels were not random wanderings but purposeful progressions along a divinely ordained path. The term helps develop Luke’s theological geography, where physical journeys mirror spiritual transformations. Furthermore, in Acts, the continued use of journey language shows how the early followers of Yeshua carried His message outward in expanding circles, fulfilling His commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.”

• “And it happened that He was passing through [διαπορεύεσθαι] the grainfields on a Sabbath, and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.” Luke 6:1
• “Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses… And as they were traveling along [διαπορευομένων] He entered a village.” Luke 8:1, 8:22
• “And He was passing through [διεπορεύετο] from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.” Luke 13:22
• “While they were passing through [διαπορεύεσθαι] the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.” Acts 16:4
• “And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Yeshua called for them, saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” When a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Yeshua said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments…” And as Yeshua was passing through [διαπορευομένου] Jericho…” Luke 18:15-20, 19:1

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, journeying carried profound theological significance beyond mere physical travel. The Hebrew concept of “halakhah” (הֲלָכָה), derived from the root “to walk,” encompasses both physical journey and spiritual path – the way one conducts their life before God. When διαπορεύομαι appears in Luke 6:1 describing Yeshua passing through grain fields on Sabbath, it subtly evokes this rich Jewish understanding of “walking” as both physical and spiritual progression. The disciples’ hunger and eating while on this journey connects to the Torah’s provision in Deuteronomy 23:25 allowing travelers to pluck heads of grain by hand – a compassionate accommodation for those on sacred journeys.

The concept of “the Way” (הַדֶּרֶךְ/ha’derekh) was integral to both Jewish and early Messianic understanding, later becoming an early designation for the followers of Yeshua (see Acts 9:2). Διαπορεύομαι’s emphasis on purposeful, directed movement would have resonated with first-century readers familiar with the metaphor of life as a journey along God’s path. Particularly meaningful is that in Luke’s gospel, Yeshua is frequently portrayed as “on the way” (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ) to Jerusalem – the journey itself becoming a space of teaching and revelation. This reflects the ancient pilgrimage tradition where the journey toward the holy city was as spiritually significant as arrival itself, evidenced in the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).

Theological Significance

Διαπορεύομαι offers profound insight into the nature of God’s redemptive work through Yeshua. The intentionality and purpose embedded in this word illustrates that the Messiah’s earthly ministry was not a series of random encounters but a deliberate journey along a divinely charted course. Luke’s careful deployment of this term reinforces that Yeshua’s path to Jerusalem was the fulfillment of a divine mission planned before the foundation of the world. This reveals יהוה’s sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant promises through precisely orchestrated movements across the landscape of human experience.

The journey motif emphasized by διαπορεύομαι also illuminates the relational nature of God’s revelation. Rather than dispensing truth from a fixed location, Yeshua reveals the Father’s heart while in motion, engaging with diverse people along the way. This reflects the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is not confined to temples but moves with His people through wilderness and promised land alike. In this, we see divine accommodation – the Omnipresent One choosing to traverse human spaces and experiences to make Himself known. Furthermore, διαπορεύομαι connects powerfully to Yeshua’s self-identification as “the Way” (John 14:6), suggesting that following Him involves not merely intellectual assent but joining His journey through this world toward the Father’s house.

Personal Application

When we understand διαπορεύομαι, we recognize that our spiritual lives are not static positions but dynamic journeys with divine purpose. Just as Yeshua moved with intention toward His appointed destiny, we too are called to journey purposefully through life with heaven-directed steps. This invites us to view our seemingly mundane travels – commutes, errands, daily routines – as potential spaces for divine encounters. The grain field became a place of revelation because Yeshua was passing through it; likewise, our everyday paths can become sacred ground when we journey with awareness of His presence.

Moreover, διαπορεύομαι challenges us to examine the direction and purpose of our life’s journey. Are we merely wandering, or are we moving with divine intention toward the destinations God has prepared for us? The compound nature of this word reminds us that God often leads us through challenging territories rather than around them. When facing difficult passages in life, we can draw strength from knowing that “passing through completely” is sometimes the divinely ordained route to blessing and growth. Like Israel journeying through the wilderness toward promise, our traversing of difficult spaces is not purposeless wandering but guided movement toward spiritual maturity and closer communion with the God who journeys alongside us.

Related Words

• πορεύομαι (poreuomai) – poh-REV-oh-my – To travel, go, walk, proceed; the root verb of διαπορεύομαι but lacking the emphasis on passing “through” something completely. Often used for general movement or journeying without specific reference to traversing from one side to another. See G4198
• διέρχομαι (dierchomai) – dee-ER-khoh-my – To go through, pass through, travel through; very similar to διαπορεύομαι but derived from ἔρχομαι (to come/go) rather than πορεύομαι. Often emphasizes the completion of a journey through a region rather than the process of traveling. See G1330
• παραπορεύομαι (paraporeuomai) – pah-rah-poh-REV-oh-my – To go beside, pass by, travel alongside; uses the same root as διαπορεύομαι but with παρά (beside) instead of διά (through). Emphasizes movement alongside something rather than through it. See G3899
• συμπορεύομαι (symporeuomai) – soom-poh-REV-oh-my – To journey together with, travel in company with; combines πορεύομαι with σύν (with), emphasizing companionship in travel rather than the path traversed. See G4848
• ὁδοιπορέω (hodoiporeō) – hoh-doy-poh-REH-oh – To travel, journey (literally “to make a way”); derived from ὁδός (road, way) and πορεύω, emphasizing the journey along a specific road or path. See G3596

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The journey motif embedded in διαπορεύομαι reflects an important aspect of Jewish spiritual practice known as “ma’aseh merkavah” (מַעֲשֵׂה מֶרְכָּבָה) or “work of the chariot,” referring to mystical journeys through spiritual realms. While different in application, both concepts emphasize how movement through territories can facilitate divine revelation. Early rabbinic traditions recognized that spiritual insights often came not while stationary but while traveling along roads between destinations – a pattern we see in Yeshua’s ministry as He frequently taught while “passing through.”
• Did you know? The specific grammatical form of διαπορεύομαι as a deponent verb (middle-passive in form but active in meaning) carries theological significance. This grammatical peculiarity suggests both active and receptive dimensions to spiritual journeying – we actively move forward while simultaneously being carried along by divine guidance. This mirrors the beautiful tension in Scripture between human responsibility and divine sovereignty, where believers are called to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12-13).
• Did you know? In modern Greek, derivatives of διαπορεύομαι are used in official travel documents and transit terminology. The noun “διαπόρευση” (diaporefsi) refers to official passage through territories or borders, maintaining the ancient sense of authorized traversal through defined boundaries. This modern usage preserves the original concept of legitimized, purposeful movement through established domains – reminiscent of how believers are granted divine authorization to traverse life’s territories as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Remember This

Διαπορεύομαι reminds us that our spiritual life is not a random wandering but a sacred journey through divinely appointed paths, where every step—even through challenging territories—carries purpose and potential for revelation when walked in communion with the God who traverses our world to seek and save the lost.