διαμάχομαι
diamáchomai
G1264 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To engage in intense conflict or heated dispute, often involving verbal or legal contention; to fight strenuously, especially in argument or altercation. The term conveys a sense of vigorous opposition or contest, with emphasis on the intensity or forcefulness of the exchange. It can refer to physical combat but is more commonly associated in Hellenistic and Koine contexts with heated debate, legal struggle, or persistent arguing.
Semantic Range
to fight intensely, to quarrel vehemently, to engage in heated argument, to dispute persistently, to contend in court or in verbal altercation
Root / Etymology
Compound of διά (through, across, denoting intensity or thoroughness) and μάχομαι (to fight, to engage in battle or conflict). The sense is of fighting through or thoroughly contending.
Historical & Contextual Notes
διαμάχομαι is attested chiefly in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, and occurs rarely in the New Testament (Acts 7:26) and in related Jewish-Greek literature. In the New Testament, it describes a strong verbal quarrel or altercation, rather than physical violence. In earlier classical sources, the simplex μάχομαι often refers to literal combat or fighting, but the compound tends to emphasize the thoroughness and passion of striving, which can apply to disputation, legal cases, or ideological conflict. Context usually clarifies whether the strife is physical or verbal; in Koine Greek, verbal and legal contention is often meant. Standard English translations such as "strive," "quarrel," or "fight" do not always convey the intensity and persistence indicated by διαμάχομαι. The term is more intensive than ἐρίζω (to contend or wrangle), and often involves persistent or fierce engagement. The word does not carry specifically religious or theological connotations in itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and μάχομαι; to fight fiercely (in altercation):--strive.
Root Family
διαμάχομαι (diamachomai) — to fight, to contend, to dispute fiercely
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1264-01 |
διεμάχοντο | diemachonto | V IMPF MID IND 3P PL |
strove | they were fiercely contending | they were fiercely contending | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1264-01 |
Acts 23:9 | διεμάχοντο | diemachonto | V IMPF MID IND 3P PL |
strove | they were fiercely contending | they were fiercely contending |