διαγίνομαι

I pass, elapse time

Definition

The verb διαγίνομαι means 'to pass' or 'to elapse,' specifically referring to the passage of time. In its three New Testament occurrences, it consistently describes a period of time that intervenes or continues between two events. In Mark 16:1, it denotes the time that passed after the Sabbath before the women went to the tomb. In Acts 25:13, it refers to a number of days passing before King Agrippa's visit. In Acts 27:9, it describes a significant amount of time elapsing, making a sea voyage dangerous. The core idea is temporal transition or interval.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used exclusively in narrative contexts to mark the passage of time between significant events. All three uses are in historical books: one in the Gospel of Mark and two in the Book of Acts. It functions as a literary device to advance the timeline of a story. For example, in Acts 27:9, 'considerable time had passed' sets the stage for Paul's warning about the perilous sailing conditions.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition διά (dia), meaning 'through' or 'across,' combined with the verb γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning 'to become,' 'to happen,' or 'to be.' The compound thus carries the sense of 'to come to be through' or 'to happen across an interval,' naturally evolving to signify the elapsing of a period.

Semantic Range

While not a theologically dense term, διαγίνομαι enriches our reading by highlighting the biblical authors' attention to historical sequence and God's sovereignty within time. The intervals it marks (like in Mark 16:1) often precede pivotal acts of God, reminding us that divine purposes unfold in history. Understanding this word helps readers appreciate the narrative pacing and the reality of waiting in the biblical story.

In a culture without precise clocks, phrases marking the passage of 'time' or 'days' were common for structuring narratives and daily life. The term reflects a general, experiential understanding of duration rather than a measured, scientific one.

παρέρχομαι (parerchomai, G3928) — more general 'to pass by,' can be spatial or temporal; διέρχομαι (dierchomai, G1330) — 'to go through,' often spatial movement through an area.

Word Details

Scripture References