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διατηρέω

diatēréō

G1301 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To keep carefully, to preserve attentively; to maintain or guard something with vigilant, sustained attention. Within various contexts, it can refer to the strict observance of rules, teachings, traditions, or commandments, or to the complete avoidance of something in order to maintain purity or separation.

Semantic Range

to keep carefully, to preserve attentively, to observe strictly, to maintain with vigilance, to avoid thoroughly, to abstain completely

Root / Etymology

Formed from διά (dia, 'through, thoroughly') and τηρέω (tēreō, 'to keep, guard, observe'). The compound verb intensifies the sense of careful or sustained keeping or guarding.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, διατηρέω can mean to preserve something thoroughly or to keep intact over time. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it most often describes attentive observance—especially of law, commandment, or tradition—but can also denote careful avoidance of something deemed impure or dangerous. The word conveys an intensified form of watching or keeping, often with a sense of vigilance and conscientiousness, exceeding the base verb τηρέω. Standard English translations frequently render διατηρέω as 'keep,' 'preserve,' or 'observe strictly.' However, these translations may not fully reflect the sense of thoroughness and diligence implied in the Greek. The word appears sparingly in the New Testament (e.g., Luke 2:51; Acts 15:29), usually emphasizing the careful observance or full abstention from specified matters. It should not be confused with more general words for guarding (e.g. φυλάσσω) or watching (e.g. ἐπεγρήγορα), which have broader or less intensive nuance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and τηρέω; to watch thoroughly, i.e. (positively and transitively) to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid wholly:--keep.

Root Family

διατηρέω (diatēreō) — to keep, to guard, to observe carefully

Root τηρέω to keep, to guard, to observe

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1301-02 διετήρει dieterei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG treasured was carefully keeping was carefully keeping 1
G1301-01 διατηροῦντες diaterountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL keeping yourselves carefully preserving preserving 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1301-02 Luke 2:51 διετήρει dieterei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG treasured was carefully keeping was carefully keeping
G1301-01 Acts 15:29 διατηροῦντες diaterountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL keeping yourselves carefully preserving preserving
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