Word Study for G1224 (διαβαίνω)

diabaínō /dee-ab-ah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom διά and the base of βάσις

Meaningto cross

KJV usagecome over, pass (through).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diabaínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word diabaínō, represented by G1224, means to cross, come over, or pass (through). It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, indicating a specific and focused application. The term is formed from the words διά and the base of βάσις, conveying the idea of moving across a space or barrier.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1224 is used to describe three distinct types of crossings. In Paul's Macedonian vision, it is a call to come over and provide aid, signifying a missionary journey Acts 16:9. In a demonstration of faith, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, a miraculous crossing of an otherwise impassable body of water Hebrews 11:29. The word also depicts an impossible crossing, describing the great gulf fixed between the righteous and the wicked in the afterlife, which no one can pass Luke 16:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words add context to the actions and consequences associated with G1224:

G1276 diaperáō (to cross entirely:--go over, pass (over), sail over): This word is used alongside G1224 in the parable of the great gulf to emphasize the complete impossibility of crossing from either side Luke 16:26.
G2666 katapínō (to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):--devour, drown, swallow (up)): This word describes the fate of the Egyptians who, unlike the Israelites, were drowned when they attempted to cross the Red Sea Hebrews 11:29.
G997 boēthéō (to aid or relieve:--help, succor): The very purpose for Paul's crossing into Macedonia was to help, as stated in the vision Acts 16:9.

Theological Significance

The use of G1224 highlights several important biblical concepts.

Crossing as an Act of Faith: The passage through the Red Sea is presented as a pivotal moment where faith enables a physical impossibility. The Israelites' successful crossing stands in stark contrast to the Egyptians who were drowned attempting the same feat Hebrews 11:29.
Crossing in Response to a Divine Call: The word is used to signify a deliberate movement across boundaries in obedience to a heavenly vision. Paul is called to come over into Macedonia, initiating a new phase of his missionary work to provide help Acts 16:9.
The Uncrossable Barrier: In a theological context, G1224 is used to establish the concept of a permanent and impassable separation after death. The great gulf in Luke's parable cannot be passed, illustrating the finality of one's eternal state Luke 16:26.

Summary

In summary, G1224 diabaínō is a specific verb for crossing a boundary. While used only three times, its applications are significant, spanning from a call to missionary action and an iconic act of faith to a sober depiction of eternal separation. Each use of the word marks a pivotal transition, whether it is moving into a new land to spread the gospel, passing through a sea by faith, or confronting an uncrossable chasm in the afterlife.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke, Acts, and Hebrews (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Luke

Acts

Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.