διαφυλάσσω
diaphylássō
G1314 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To keep watch over carefully, to guard closely or with thoroughness. The verb conveys the sense of providing attentive or diligent protection, often with an emphasis on preventing loss, harm, or violation. In broader contexts, also used of preserving something intact, maintaining something in its original state, or carefully adhering to an instruction or command.
Semantic Range
to guard thoroughly, to protect diligently, to maintain or preserve completely, to keep safe, to adhere closely (especially to instructions or rules)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition διά (through, thoroughly) and the verb φυλάσσω (to guard, watch, keep). The compound construction intensifies the meaning of the base verb, implying thoroughness or completeness in the act of guarding.
Historical & Contextual Notes
διαφυλάσσω occurs rarely in extant Greek literature and is primarily a Hellenistic/Koine formation. It appears in Septuagintal and New Testament contexts to denote careful and thorough keeping or protecting—physical, communal, or moral. In the Septuagint, it is sometimes used to translate Hebrew terms related to safeguarding or observing commandments, with emphasis on attentiveness or completeness (cf. Neh 13:15, 1 Macc 8:25–26). In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 16:23), it refers to a jailer's thorough guarding of prisoners. Classical Greek tends to use simple φυλάσσω or related compounds for most guarding contexts; the addition of διά in διαφυλάσσω emphasizes intensive or unbroken vigilance. Standard English translations ('guard,' 'keep carefully,' 'protect') capture the core meaning, but may not always reflect the nuance of complete or diligent attention implied by the Greek compound.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and φυλάσσω; to guard thoroughly, i.e. protect:--keep.
Root Family
διαφυλάσσω (diaphylassō) — to guard, to watch, to keep
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1314-01 |
διαφυλάξαι | diaphulaxai | V AOR ACT INF |
keep | to guard thoroughly | to guard thoroughly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1314-01 |
Luke 4:10 | διαφυλάξαι | diaphulaxai | V AOR ACT INF |
keep | to guard thoroughly | to guard thoroughly |