G1272

διανοίγω

dianoígō /dee-an-oy'-go/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom διά and ἀνοίγω
Meaningto open thoroughly, literally (as a first-born) or figuratively (to expound)
KJV usageopen.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dianoígō — 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 dianoígō, represented by G1272, means to open thoroughly. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses in the Bible. The word is used in both a literal sense, such as describing the first-born male who "openeth the womb," and a figurative sense, meaning to expound or make something understood.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1272 is used to describe acts of divine opening, both physical and spiritual. Literally, it is used in fulfillment of the law concerning the firstborn Luke 2:23 and to describe Jesus's miraculous healing when he made a man's ears be "opened" Mark 7:34-35. Figuratively, the term signifies a divine granting of understanding. Jesus "opened" the disciples' understanding so they could comprehend the scriptures Luke 24:45. Similarly, the Lord "opened" Lydia's heart to pay attention to Paul's message Acts 16:14, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus recalled how Jesus had "opened" the scriptures to them Luke 24:32.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning and result of the act of "opening":

  • G3563 noûs (understanding): This word for "the intellect, i.e. mind," is the direct object of the action in Luke 24:45, where Jesus "opened he their understanding."
  • G4920 syníēmi (understand): Defined as "to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend," this is the purpose for opening the mind. After their minds were opened, the disciples could understand the scriptures Luke 24:45.
  • G1921 epiginṓskō (know well): Meaning "to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge," this is the result when the disciples' eyes were "opened" and they finally knew the resurrected Christ Luke 24:31.
  • G4337 proséchō (attend): Meaning "to hold the mind towards, i.e. pay attention to," this is the result of the Lord opening Lydia's heart, causing her to attend to what Paul spoke Acts 16:14.
  • G3908 paratíthēmi (allege): This term, meaning "to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth)," is used in parallel with G1272 in Acts 17:3, where Paul was "Opening and alleging" the truth about Christ.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1272 centers on the theme of divine intervention being necessary for revelation and restoration.

  • Spiritual Illumination: The word emphasizes that true understanding of scripture is not merely an intellectual exercise but a gift from God. Christ must "open" the mind Luke 24:45, the heart Acts 16:14, and the scriptures themselves Luke 24:32 for comprehension to occur.
  • Messianic Power: The literal use of G1272 in healing demonstrates Christ's authority over the physical body. His ability to open a man's ears Mark 7:35 and the disciples' eyes Luke 24:31 serves as a sign of his restorative power.
  • Sanctification and Law: Its use in relation to the firstborn who "openeth the womb" Luke 2:23 connects the act of opening to the holiness and dedication required by God's law, a concept fulfilled in Christ.

Summary

In summary, G1272 conveys a powerful concept of a thorough opening that can only be initiated by a divine source. Whether used literally for physical healing and birth or figuratively for spiritual enlightenment, the word underscores that God is the one who opens what was closed. It illustrates that for humanity to see, hear, or understand divine truth, God must first act to open our eyes, ears, and hearts.

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 9 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • 2nd Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Neuter 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3563 νοῦς probably from the base of γινώσκω; the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implicat G4920 συνίημι from σύν and (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously:-- consider, und G1921 ἐπιγινώσκω from ἐπί and γινώσκω; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknow G4337 προσέχω from πρός and ἔχω; (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, app G3908 παρατίθημι from παρά and τίθημι; to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for prot

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 8 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (4 verses); never once in the other 24.

2
Mark
4
Luke
2
Acts

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.