ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Dia (G1223) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
διά (diá) is a versatile Greek preposition governing either the genitive or the accusative, used to express motion through, instrumentality, causal reason, and duration of time.
Significado de la palabra
διά (diá) is a Greek preposition with a remarkably wide semantic range, covering the ideas of 'through,' 'by means of,' 'because of,' 'during,' and 'for the sake of.' The lexicon defines it as 'through,' in very wide applications — local, causal, or occasional. It takes two cases: the genitive and the accusative, and each case produces a distinct cluster of meanings.
With the genitive, διά most commonly expresses means or instrument (e.g., 'through the prophet'), efficient cause (such as God or Christ as the one acting through something), and passage through a place or state. It is also used of time, both during which ('through the night') and throughout which ('always, continually'). With the accusative, διά regularly introduces a reason or motive ('because of,' 'for the sake of'), as in the construction διὰ τοῦτο ('for this reason, therefore') and the interrogative διὰ τί ('why?').
Uso en las Escrituras
In the New Testament, διά appears most often in two broad patterns. The first is the prophetic and scriptural formula 'spoken through the prophet' (e.g., Matthew 1:22; 2:5, 17; 3:3; 8:17), where διά marks the human prophet as the instrument through whom God delivers his word. The second is the causal expression διὰ τοῦτο ('for this reason, therefore'), used by Jesus and the apostles to ground a conclusion or instruction (e.g., Matthew 6:25). The preposition also marks instrumental means generally (Matthew 4:4, 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God') and passage through a place (Matthew 2:14; 4:13). Matthew 7:13 uses διά of entering by or through a gate, showing the spatial sense. These varied uses highlight how διά functions as a structural connective in narrative, prophecy, and teaching alike.
Because of its frequency in formulaic phrases like διὰ τοῦτο and διὰ τοῦ προφήτου, διά becomes one of the most recognizable Greek prepositions in the New Testament, helping readers trace how God works through agents, how people move through places and times, and how reasons are attached to commands and statements.
La palabra en detalle
- G1223 διά is a primary Greek preposition. Its range is unusually broad for a single preposition, covering local passage, temporal duration, instrumental means, and causal motive. The genitive construction tends to dominate spatial and instrumental uses, while the accusative construction tends to dominate causal uses.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 1:22 διά marks the prophet as the instrument through whom the Lord spoke. The genitive here is one of the clearest examples of the instrumental sense of διά.
- Matthew 6:25 διὰ τοῦτο ('for this reason, therefore') introduces the conclusion. This is a common causal use of διά with the accusative.
- Matthew 7:13 διά here is local: 'enter through the narrow gate.' Even in a teaching context, διά retains its spatial sense of passage.
- Matthew 4:4 διά marks the means by which man lives: 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' A clear instrumental use of the genitive.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the basic meaning of διά (G1223)?
διά is a Greek preposition meaning 'through,' and by extension 'by means of,' 'during,' and 'because of.' The lexicon calls it 'through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional).'
Does διά take the genitive or the accusative?
Both. With the genitive, διά commonly expresses place, time, and means or instrument. With the accusative, it commonly expresses cause or reason, as in διὰ τοῦτο ('for this reason') and διὰ τί ('why?').
What is the most common recognizable formula with διά in the New Testament?
Two recurring formulas are especially noticeable: 'spoken through the prophet' (διὰ τοῦ προφήτου), marking the prophet as God's instrument, and 'for this reason, therefore' (διὰ τοῦτο), introducing a conclusion.