διαστρέφω (G1294) — Greek Lexicon

διαστρέφω

diastréphō

G1294 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to twist thoroughly, to distort; in a physical sense, to twist or turn out of shape; figuratively, to alter, pervert, or misrepresent (ideas, words, or moral integrity). The term can apply to the physical deformation of an object, but most often in literary and philosophical usage, it refers to the distortion of meaning, logic, intention, or ethical standards.

Semantic Range

to twist physically, to turn aside, to distort (of words, meaning, teaching), to pervert morally, to alter unjustly, to misrepresent

Root / Etymology

From the preposition διά (through, across, thoroughly) and the verb στρέφω (to turn, to twist). The compound intensifies the sense of turning or twisting, indicating an action done to a thorough or excessive degree. Hence, διαστρέφω means 'to twist thoroughly, to distort.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, διαστρέφω was used literally for twisting or deforming physical objects, but its figurative extension is well-attested from the Hellenistic period onward. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms meaning 'to pervert' or 'to twist' morally, reflecting the idea of someone who distorts justice or righteousness. In the New Testament, the verb is primarily used in reference to corrupting, perverting, or distorting what is right—often in moral, ethical, or theological contexts (for example, 'to pervert the right ways of the Lord' in Acts 13:10). English translations vary (pervert, distort, turn away), but they do not always capture the nuanced sense of twisting out of proper shape, both literally and metaphorically. The root meaning of 'thoroughly turning' is crucial for understanding the force of the term, which is stronger than simply 'deviate' or 'misinterpret.' Related terms: στρέφω 'to turn,' ἀποστρέφω 'to turn away,' παραστρέφω 'to turn aside.'

Translation Consistency

primary "twist" 1 occurrence

"Twist" naturally covers both the physical sense (turn out of shape) and the common figurative sense (twist meaning, words, or morals). It is idiomatic in English (e.g. "twist someone's words"), simple, and fits the typical usages in the SILEX range better than more formal alternatives like "distort" or the morally weighted "pervert."

Alternatives (6 occurrences):

"o having-been-twisted one" (2x) "perverting" (1x) "thoroughly distort" (1x) "things having been thoroughly distorted" (1x) "having-been-distorted" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and στρέφω; to distort, i.e. (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt:--perverse(-rt), turn away.

Root Family

διαστρέφω (diastrephō) — to twist, to turn, to distort, to pervert

Root διαστρέφ- to twist, to turn, to distort, to pervert

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1294-05`	διεστραμμένη	diestrammene	`V PRF PASS PTCP VOC F SG`	perverse	O having-been-distorted one	O having-been-twisted one	2
`G1294-02`	διαστρέφοντα	diastrephonta	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	perverting	thoroughly distorting	perverting	1
`G1294-03`	διαστρέψαι	diastrepsai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to turn away	to thoroughly distort	to thoroughly distort	1
`G1294-06`	διεστραμμένης	diestrammenes	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	perverted	of having-been-distorted	of a having-been-distorted	1
`G1294-01`	διαστρέφων	diastrephon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	perverting	twisting thoroughly	thoroughly twisting	1
`G1294-04`	διεστραμμένα	diestrammena	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL`	crooked things	things having been thoroughly distorted	things having been thoroughly distorted	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1294-05`	Matthew 17:17	διεστραμμένη	diestrammene	`V PRF PASS PTCP VOC F SG`	perverted	O having-been-distorted one	O having-been-twisted one
`G1294-05`	Luke 9:41	διεστραμμένη	diestrammene	`V PRF PASS PTCP VOC F SG`	perverse	O having-been-distorted one	O having-been-twisted one
`G1294-02`	Luke 23:2	διαστρέφοντα	diastrephonta	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	perverting	thoroughly distorting	perverting
`G1294-03`	Acts 13:8	διαστρέψαι	diastrepsai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to turn away	to thoroughly distort	to thoroughly distort
`G1294-01`	Acts 13:10	διαστρέφων	diastrephon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	perverting	twisting thoroughly	thoroughly twisting
`G1294-04`	Acts 20:30	διεστραμμένα	diestrammena	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL`	crooked things	things having been thoroughly distorted	things having been thoroughly distorted
`G1294-06`	Philippians 2:15	διεστραμμένης	diestrammenes	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	perverted	of having-been-distorted	of a having-been-distorted

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