διαφεύγω
diapheúgō
G1309 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To escape by fleeing, to avoid danger or harm by purposeful flight. The primary sense is to get away from a place or situation by fleeing or running through and out of it. In various contexts, it may also describe evading a threat, escaping captivity, or avoiding punishment or peril by fleeing.
Semantic Range
to escape by fleeing, to flee through or out of, to evade danger by running away, to escape captivity, to avoid peril by means of flight
Root / Etymology
From δια- ('through, across') and φεύγω ('to flee, run away'). The compound denotes the act of fleeing through or out from a place or situation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, διαφεύγω is consistently used in the sense of escaping or getting away by means of flight. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often refers to escaping from physical danger or hostile situations, including fleeing from persecution, captivity, or disaster. The term differs from ἀναφεύγω or φεύγω alone, which can simply mean 'to flee' without the nuance of successfully escaping. In English translations, it is often rendered as 'escape', but this can sometimes understate the deliberate and successful action implied by the Greek. In non-biblical Koine texts, it appears in legal and military contexts to denote escape from confinement or evasion of an enemy. The core aspect throughout is successful flight resulting in freedom from immediate danger or pursuit.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and φεύγω; to flee through, i.e. escape:--escape.
Root Family
διαφεύγω (diapheugō) — to flee, to escape, to get away
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1309-01 |
διαφύγῃ | diaphuge | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
escape | may escape by fleeing | might escape | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1309-01 |
Acts 27:42 | διαφύγῃ | diaphuge | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
escape | may escape by fleeing | might escape |