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διάκρισις

diákrisis

G1253 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act or faculty of distinguishing, discerning, or making a clear separation between things; the process or result of careful judgment or critical assessment, especially in relation to differentiating between alternatives. In various contexts, refers to discerning differences, forming judgments, or distinguishing right from wrong or true from false. Also used of legal or judicial decisions and, in certain contexts, refers to contentious disputation or debate.

Semantic Range

discernment, discrimination, making a distinction, judicial estimation or judgment, critical differentiation, disputation, contentious debate

Root / Etymology

From the verb διακρίνω (diakrínō, 'to distinguish, to separate, to judge between'). Formed from the preposition διά ('through, across') and κρίνω ('to judge, to separate'). Thus, διάκρισις literally means 'a separation through judgment.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

διάκρισις appears in classical and Hellenistic Greek contexts with the sense of 'separation' or 'distinction,' both in practical and intellectual senses. In medical writers, it refers to differentiation of symptoms; in philosophical texts, to critical discrimination between concepts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term often carries the nuance of discerning spirits, motives, or the authenticity of prophetically inspired speech (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:10). English versions frequently render it as 'discernment' or 'distinguishing,' but the underlying meaning is broader, including legal, analytical, and sometimes disputational activities. It differs from κρίσις ('judgment'), which more narrowly denotes the act or sentence of judging; διάκρισις emphasizes the distinguishing or discriminative process itself. The semantic breadth includes legal, intellectual, and spiritual distinctions. The English 'disputation' in some translations reflects contexts where differentiation leads to debate or contention, though this is a secondary meaning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διακρίνω; judicial estimation:--discern(-ing), disputation.

Root Family

διάκρισις (diákrisis) — distinguishing, separating, judging by differentiation

Root διακρίν- to distinguish, to separate, to judge by critical differentiation

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1253-01 διακρίσεις diakriseis N ACC F PL discernings critical distinctions critical distinctions 2
G1253-02 διάκρισιν diakrisin N ACC F SG discernment critical distinction critical distinction 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1253-01 Romans 14:1 διακρίσεις diakriseis N ACC F PL passing judgment critical distinctions judging
G1253-01 1 Corinthians 12:10 διακρίσεις diakriseis N NOM F PL discernings critical distinctions critical distinctions
G1253-02 Hebrews 5:14 διάκρισιν diakrisin N ACC F SG discernment critical distinction critical distinction
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