from διά and καθαρίζω; to cleanse perfectly, i.e. (specially) winnow:--thoroughly purge.
Transliteration:diakatharízō
Pronunciation:dee-ak-ath-ar-id'-zo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb διακαθαρίζω (diakatharízō, `{{G1245}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition διά (dia, `{{G1223}}`), meaning "through" or "thoroughly," and the verb καθαρίζω (katharízō, `{{G2511}}`), meaning "to cleanse" or "to purify." The prefix διά serves as an intensifier, emphasizing the completeness and thoroughness of the cleansing action. Thus, διακαθαρίζω signifies "to cleanse perfectly," "to purify thoroughly," or "to completely purge." Its specialized meaning, particularly in agricultural contexts, is "to winnow," which involves the complete separation of grain from chaff. This implies a decisive and exhaustive process, leaving no impurities behind.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb διακαθαρίζω (diakatharízō, `{{G1245}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Synoptic Gospels, within the prophetic declaration of John the Baptist concerning the coming Messiah:
* **[[Matthew 3:12]]**: "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
* **[[Luke 3:17]]**: "His winnowing fork is in his hand, to thoroughly clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
In both instances, the word is used metaphorically to describe the decisive action of the Messiah (Jesus) in separating the righteous from the unrighteous at the time of judgment. The imagery is drawn directly from ancient agricultural practices, where a winnowing fork was used to toss threshed grain into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier wheat fell back onto the threshing floor. The "threshing floor" represents the sphere of humanity or the world, which the Messiah will "thoroughly clear." This action is one of precise and complete discernment, leading to two distinct destinies: the gathering of the "wheat" (the saved) into the "barn" (salvation/kingdom) and the burning of the "chaff" (the unsaved/unrighteous) with "unquenchable fire" (eternal judgment). The use of διακαθαρίζω underscores the absolute and unsparing nature of this divine separation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root of διακαθαρίζω (diakatharízō, `{{G1245}}`) is καθαρίζω (katharízō, `{{G2511}}`), which broadly means "to cleanse," "to purify," or "to make clean." Its noun form, καθαρός (katharós, `{{G2513}}`), means "clean" or "pure." The intensified form with διά (dia, `{{G1223}}`) highlights a more complete and decisive action than καθαρίζω alone might suggest.
Conceptually, διακαθαρίζω is closely related to:
* **Purification**: The removal of defilement, whether moral, ritual, or physical.
* **Judgment**: The divine act of assessing and separating individuals based on their righteousness or unrighteousness.
* **Separation**: The distinct division between two groups, often based on moral or spiritual standing.
* **Winnowing**: An agricultural process that serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment in both the Old and New Testaments (e.g., [[Psalm 1:4]], [[Jeremiah 15:7]]).
* **Eschatology**: The study of last things, as διακαθαρίζω points to a final, decisive event in salvation history.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of διακαθαρίζω (diakatharízō, `{{G1245}}`) is profound, primarily because it describes a definitive aspect of the Messiah's work. John the Baptist's prophecy presents Jesus not merely as a teacher or healer, but as the ultimate agent of divine judgment and purification.
1. **Christ's Authority in Judgment**: The image of the winnowing fork in His hand unequivocally declares Christ's sovereign authority to discern and separate. This is not a partial or tentative cleansing, but a thorough and final one, leaving no doubt about the outcome for each individual.
2. **The Nature of Divine Justice**: The metaphor illustrates the precise and just nature of God's judgment. Just as a farmer carefully separates valuable grain from worthless chaff, so too will God distinguish between those who are truly His and those who are not. This process is both discerning and decisive.
3. **Eternal Destinies**: The two outcomes—gathering into the barn and burning with unquenchable fire—underscore the stark reality of eternal destinies. This word emphasizes that the separation is not temporary but leads to ultimate, irreversible consequences.
4. **Holiness and Purity**: Implicit in the concept of "thoroughly purging" is God's absolute holiness and His demand for purity. The Messiah's work is to establish a purified people, free from the defilement of sin, and to remove all that is contrary to God's nature.
### Summary
διακαθαρίζω (diakatharízō, `{{G1245}}`) is a potent Greek verb meaning "to cleanse perfectly" or "to thoroughly purge," specifically in the sense of "winnowing." Though appearing only twice in the New Testament, its usage in [[Matthew 3:12]] and [[Luke 3:17]] is highly significant. It describes the Messiah's decisive work of judgment, where He will completely separate the righteous ("wheat") from the unrighteous ("chaff"). This word underscores the absolute authority, precision, and finality of Christ's role in discerning and purifying humanity, leading to distinct eternal destinies. It powerfully conveys the thoroughness of God's work in establishing His kingdom and removing all that is impure.
TRV