The Greek word diḯstēmi, represented by G1339, is defined as to stand apart, i.e. (reflexively) to remove, intervene. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. While its usage is infrequent, it precisely captures concepts of physical separation, the passage of time, or moving a certain distance.
In its scriptural occurrences, G1339 is used to describe a clear separation or interval. In the account of the Ascension, it marks the moment Jesus was parted from his disciples to be carried into heaven Luke 24:51. The word is also used to denote a specific interval of time, describing "the space of one hour" that passed before Peter's final denial of Christ Luke 22:59. Lastly, it signifies movement over a physical distance, as when sailors had gone a little further before checking the water's depth again during a storm Acts 27:28.
Several related words appear in the same verses as G1339, providing additional context to the events:
- G2127 eulogéō (to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless): This act is directly linked to the separation in Luke 24:51, as Jesus blessed his disciples at the very moment he "was parted" from them.
- G399 anaphérō (to take up): This describes the action that immediately follows the separation in Luke 24:51, clarifying that after Jesus was parted from them, he was carried up into heaven.
- G1340 diïschyrízomai (to stout it through, i.e. asservate): In Luke 22:59, after "the space of one hour" had passed, an accuser confidently affirmed Peter's association with Jesus, prompting the final denial.
- G1001 bolízō (to heave the lead): This action of sailors who sounded for depth in Acts 27:28 occurs after they had "gone a little further," showing the practical application of measuring a traversed distance.
The theological weight of G1339 is seen in the crucial moments it defines.
- The Physical Ascension: The word's use in Luke 24:51 is profoundly significant, as "was parted" provides a definitive term for the physical separation of Christ from the disciples, concluding his earthly ministry.
- A Marker of Human Frailty: In Luke 22:59, the "space of one hour" is not merely a measure of time but a dramatic pause that emphasizes the weight of Peter's subsequent denial, highlighting the fulfillment of Jesus's warning.
- A Detail in Divine Providence: The phrase "gone a little further" in Acts 27:28 is a detail within a larger narrative of God's sovereign protection over Paul and his companions during a dangerous voyage.
In summary, G1339 is a precise term used to define separation in both time and space. Though rare, its applications are pivotal. It describes the physical departure of Christ at the Ascension Luke 24:51, frames the timeline of Peter's denial Luke 22:59, and measures distance in a narrative of survival at sea Acts 27:28. Each use of the word marks a significant transition, whether from an earthly to a heavenly presence or from one point in a perilous journey to the next.
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