διανύω
I finish, complete
Definition
The verb διανύω means to finish, complete, or accomplish a journey or task. In its core sense, it denotes bringing something to its intended end or conclusion. In the New Testament, its single occurrence in Acts 21:7 refers specifically to completing a sea voyage: 'And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais.' This usage highlights the idea of traversing a distance and reaching a destination.
Biblical Usage
διανύω is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 21:7. It describes the completion of Paul's sea journey from Tyre to Ptolemais during his final trip to Jerusalem. The context is narrative, detailing the stages of travel in the Book of Acts. Its usage is specific to concluding a defined segment of a journey.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition διά (dia), meaning 'through,' combined with a root related to accomplishing or finishing. The compound suggests the idea of carrying something through to its end. It is a relatively rare verb in Koine Greek, emphasizing thorough completion.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically dense term, διανύω in Acts 21:7 marks a significant point in the narrative of Paul's obedient journey to Jerusalem, despite knowing it would lead to suffering (Acts 20:22-24). It underscores the theme of faithful completion of a God-given mission or path, resonating with the idea of 'finishing the race' found elsewhere (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:7). Understanding this specific term for completing a voyage enriches the sense of purposeful progression in Luke's narrative.
In the ancient world, completing a sea voyage was a significant and sometimes perilous undertaking. The word implies the successful navigation of a journey, which would have been a relatable concept for Luke's original audience, many of whom were familiar with travel in the Roman Empire. It conveys a sense of arrival and accomplishment after effort.
τελέω (teleō, G5055) — to bring to an end, fulfill, often used for completing tasks or periods; τελειόω (teleioō, G5048) — to make perfect or complete, often with a moral or spiritual connotation; πληρόω (plēroō, G4137) — to fill up, fulfill, complete, often used for prophecies or time.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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