from διά and λείπω; to leave off in the middle, i.e. intermit:--cease.
Transliteration:dialeípō
Pronunciation:dee-al-i'-po
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G1257 (διαλείπω), transliterated as *dialeípō*, is a compound verb formed from the preposition διά (dia), meaning "through" or "apart," and the verb λείπω `{{G3007}}`, meaning "to leave," "to be lacking," or "to fail." The combined sense conveys the idea of "leaving off in the middle," "to intermit," or "to cease." Crucially, the nuance of G1257 suggests a temporary cessation or an interruption of an ongoing action, rather than a complete and permanent termination. It speaks to a pause or a break within a continuous process.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Despite its precise meaning, G1257 is remarkably rare in the New Testament, appearing only once. This singular occurrence is found in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 7:45]]: "You gave me no kiss, but this woman, from the time I came in, has not ceased (*οὐ διελειπεν*) kissing my feet."
In this passage, Jesus is contrasting the lack of hospitality shown by Simon the Pharisee with the lavish, humble devotion of a sinful woman who has anointed His feet. The phrase "has not ceased" (οὐ διελειπεν) is a strong double negative, emphasizing the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the woman's actions. The imperfect tense of the verb further highlights the ongoing, persistent quality of her kissing Jesus' feet from the moment He entered Simon's house. This single usage powerfully underscores the unremitting intensity and sincerity of her devotion, setting it apart from a mere fleeting gesture. Her actions were not intermittent but flowed without interruption, demonstrating a profound love and repentance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding G1257 is enriched by considering its lexical relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **λείπω `{{G3007}}`**: The root verb, meaning "to leave," "to fail," or "to be lacking." This provides the core sense of "leaving."
* **παύω `{{G3973}}`**: A more common verb meaning "to cease," "to stop," or "to restrain." While similar, παύω often implies a more definitive or complete cessation of an action.
* **κοπάζω `{{G2873}}`**: Meaning "to grow weary" or "to cease," often used in contexts of natural phenomena like winds or waves subsiding.
* **ἀδιάλειπτος `{{G88}}`**: An adjective derived from λείπω with the negative prefix ἀ- and διά, meaning "unceasing," "without intermission," or "continual." This word perfectly captures the opposite of G1257's core meaning when used in the positive sense, and aligns with the negative usage in [[Luke 7:45]].
* **Concepts:** Persistence, continuity, unwavering devotion, unbroken commitment, steadfastness.
### Theological Significance
Though G1257 appears only once, its singular use in [[Luke 7:45]] carries significant theological weight. It serves to highlight the nature of genuine, Spirit-prompted devotion and repentance. The woman's actions, described as "not ceased," are presented as an exemplary model of love for Christ. This unceasing devotion contrasts sharply with the perfunctory and self-righteous attitude of Simon the Pharisee.
The theological implication is that true love and faith are not characterized by sporadic or intermittent acts of piety, but by a continuous, unremitting outflow of affection and service. Her "not ceasing" to kiss Jesus' feet speaks to a heart fully given over to Him, manifesting in an unbroken stream of worship and humility. It suggests that authentic repentance leads to an enduring posture of love and gratitude, one that is not easily interrupted or set aside. This continuous devotion is a tangible expression of a deep inner transformation, demonstrating a love that "much has been forgiven" ([[Luke 7:47]]).
### Summary
G1257 (διαλείπω) fundamentally means "to cease" or "to intermit," carrying the nuance of a temporary break in an ongoing process. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Luke 7:45]] is profoundly illustrative. There, it is used in the negative—"has not ceased"—to describe the continuous, uninterrupted, and persistent devotion of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet. This singular usage powerfully underscores the depth, sincerity, and unwavering nature of her love and worship, standing in stark contrast to the Pharisee's lack of genuine hospitality. Theologically, G1257, through its negative application, highlights the importance of unremitting commitment and continuous, heartfelt devotion as a hallmark of true faith and love for Christ.
TRV