English · KJV
G1315

διαχειρίζομαι

diacheirízomai /dee-akh-i-rid'-zom-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom διά and a derivative of χείρ
Meaningto handle thoroughly, i.e. lay violent hands upon
KJV usagekill, slay.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diacheirízomai — 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 diacheirízomai, represented by G1315, means to handle thoroughly or to lay violent hands upon, specifically to kill or slay. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, denoting a direct and violent act of murder.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G1315 appears exclusively in the book of Acts to describe moments of extreme hostility. It is used in Peter's address to the council to describe how they slew Jesus before he was hanged on a tree Acts 5:30. Later, Paul uses the same word in his testimony before Agrippa, recounting that the Jews caught him in the temple and "went about to kill" him Acts 26:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are contextually linked to the acts of violence described by G1315:

  • G2910 kremánnymi (to hang): This word is used to describe the action immediately following the killing of Jesus, who was slain and then hanged on a tree Acts 5:30.
  • G4815 syllambánō (to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture)): This term describes the action that preceded the attempt on Paul's life, as the Jews first caught him in the temple Acts 26:21.
  • G3987 peiráō (to test (subjectively), i.e. (reflexively) to attempt): This word clarifies the nature of the attack on Paul, indicating that the Jews attempted to kill him Acts 26:21.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G1315 is concentrated in its usage within the book of Acts.

  • The Crucifixion as Murder: The word is used to frame the death of Jesus not as a passive event, but as an active killing. The accusation that "ye slew" Jesus is immediately contrasted with the power of God G2316, who raised G1453 him Acts 5:30.
  • Persecution of the Church: Its use in Paul's testimony highlights the mortal danger faced by early Christians. The attempt to kill G1315 an apostle demonstrates the intense opposition to the gospel message Acts 26:21.

Summary

In summary, G1315 is a specific and impactful word for violent killing. Though rare, its two occurrences are pivotal, marking the murder of Jesus and the attempted murder of his chief apostle, Paul. It powerfully conveys the deadly conflict between the messengers of the gospel and their opponents in the foundational narratives of the early church.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Middle Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Middle Infinitive 1×
Plural
More than one.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".

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.

G2910 κρεμάννυμι a prolonged form of a primary verb; to hang:--hang. G4815 συλλαμβάνω from σύν and λαμβάνω; to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by imp G3987 πειράω from πεῖρα; to test (subjectively), i.e. (reflexively) to attempt:--assay. G2316 θεός of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very: G1453 ἐγείρω probably akin to the base of ἀγορά (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransit

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

2 verses, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.