διαχειρίζομαι

I lay my hands upon, slay, kill

Definition

The verb διαχειρίζομαι means to handle or manage something with the hands, but in the New Testament, it carries the specific sense of violently handling or putting to death. It refers to the act of killing, particularly through direct, physical action, often implying a deliberate or hostile execution. In Acts 5:30, Peter accuses the Jewish leaders of having killed Jesus by 'hanging him on a tree,' using this word to emphasize their direct agency in the crucifixion. Similarly, in Acts 26:21, Paul states that the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill (διαχειρίζομαι) him, highlighting their intent to destroy him with their own hands.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Acts. It appears in speeches by major apostolic figures (Peter and Paul) addressing Jewish audiences about violent opposition. In both instances, Acts 5:30 and Acts 26:21, it describes the act of killing a person—specifically Jesus and Paul—portraying the actions as wrongful, hands-on executions carried out by opposing Jewish authorities. The usage consistently conveys a sense of direct, culpable violence.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition διά (dia), meaning 'through' or 'by means of,' combined with the verb χειρίζομαι (cheirizomai), which means 'to handle' or 'manage,' from the noun χείρ (cheir, 'hand'). Literally, it means 'to handle through' or 'to manage with the hands.' Its meaning developed from general handling to the specific, forceful handling involved in killing or destroying.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it directly attributes agency in the death of Jesus to the Jewish leaders (Acts 5:30), a charge central to early Christian preaching of repentance. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the early church's bold accusation that the very people entrusted with God's law were responsible for killing the Messiah, underscoring themes of human sin, prophetic fulfillment, and the need for salvation. It frames the crucifixion not as an abstract event but as a concrete act of violence.

In the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultural setting, 'laying hands on' someone often implied personal, direct involvement, which could carry legal or ritual significance. The word's use for killing suggests a hands-on execution, distinct from more distant or judicial forms of capital punishment. This direct, physical connotation would have resonated strongly with audiences familiar with mob violence or lynching, emphasizing the personal culpability of the perpetrators.

ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō, G615) — a more general and common word for 'to kill.' ἀναιρέω (anaireō, G337) — to take away, destroy, or kill, often in the sense of doing away with or murdering.

Word Details

Scripture References