διασείω (G1286) — Greek Lexicon

διασείω

diaseíō

G1286 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To shake violently or thoroughly; in extended or figurative usage, to threaten, intimidate, or extort by intimidation. The core literal sense is to cause something to shake or tremble with force, while figuratively the term is used for creating fear by gestures or actions, especially threatening violence for the sake of coercion.

Semantic Range

to shake violently, to shake thoroughly, to threaten, to intimidate, to extort by threats, to coerce by intimidation

Root / Etymology

From the prefix διά (through, thoroughly) and the verb σείω (to shake, move to and fro). The compound denotes an intensified action: to shake completely or with force.

Historical & Contextual Notes

διασείω is a rare verb in Koine Greek, attested in the New Testament only in Luke 3:14 where soldiers are instructed not to 'shake down' people (often rendered 'extort'). In other Hellenistic and later Greek sources, the word continues to carry both the literal sense (of a physical shaking) and, more frequently, a figurative meaning: to threaten or intimidate for purposes such as extracting money or obedience. In the context of Luke 3:14, the term points to a form of extortion carried out by intimidation or threat of force rather than overt violence. Earlier classical sources (cf. Polybius; some papyri) document its use for violent shaking, but in the period relevant to the New Testament, its primary sense is already metaphorical. The English phrase 'do violence to,' seen in some translations, may miss the nuance of intimidation for gain; 'extort by threats,' or 'intimidate into compliance,' better reflects its actual application. The verb is related to, but stronger than, simple forms of σείω and should be distinguished from verbs denoting direct physical assault.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and σείω; to shake thoroughly, i.e. (figuratively) to intimidate:--do violence to.

Root Family

διασείω (diaseiō) — to shake violently, to agitate thoroughly, to intimidate, to coerce by threats

Root σει- to shake, to move violently, to agitate

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1286-01`	διασείσητε	diaseisete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	extort from	you may shake violently	you may extort	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1286-01`	Luke 3:14	διασείσητε	diaseisete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	extort from	you may shake violently	you may extort

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