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διώκω

diṓkō

G1377 verb

SILEX Entry

Root διωκ- to pursue, to chase, to strive after, to persecute

Definition

To pursue with intent, to follow after something or someone, whether in a physical, metaphorical, or judicial sense. In its primary sense, διώκω means 'to pursue' or 'to chase,' often with a sense of eagerness or urgency. It may denote literal pursuit (as in hunting or running after), earnest striving for a goal, or, negatively, the pursuit of someone in the sense of 'persecuting' or 'harassing' (legal, social, or physical pressure).

Semantic Range

to pursue, to chase (physically or metaphorically), to strive after, to seek with eagerness, to prosecute or charge (judicially), to persecute or harass

Root / Etymology

From the root διωκ-, of uncertain further origin. Not definitively derived from or connected to the roots of δειλός ('coward') or διάκονος ('servant'), though historically analogized. The form is ancient, with attestation from classical Greek through the Koine period.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, διώκω is used for physical pursuits (e.g., chasing enemies in battle, pursuing prey, or striving for justice in court cases). The verb is used in both neutral and positive senses: to pursue an enemy, to pursue fame, or to seek legal satisfaction. In the Hellenistic and Koine context, especially in Jewish and early Christian literature, the meaning expanded to include the idea of persistent harassment or legal/social persecution, especially of individuals or groups for specific beliefs or identities (as in the New Testament usage regarding opposition to early Christ-followers). Septuagint usage mirrors both literal and figurative senses. In English translation, 'persecute' often narrows the meaning to hostile action, but the broader Greek sense, 'to pursue eagerly, to strive after,' is often contextually neutral or even positive. Other Greek verbs with similar sense include ἐπιδιώκω (to pursue after) and καταδιώκω (to pursue down, hunt relentlessly).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb (to flee; compare the base of δειλός and διάκονος); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.

Root Family

διώκω (diōkō) — to pursue, to chase, to strive after, to persecute

Word Forms

25 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1377-04 διώκεις diokeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you persecute you are pursuing 6
G1377-10 διώκων diokon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG persecuting pursuing 3
G1377-22 ἐδίωκον ediokon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL I persecuted they were pursuing 3
G1377-05 διώκετε diokete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL pursue keep pursuing 3
G1377-20 διώξουσιν dioxousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will persecute they will pursue 3
G1377-24 ἐδίωξαν edioxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL did persecute they pursued 3
G1377-06 διώκω dioko V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I press on I pursue 2
G1377-09 διωκόμενοι diokomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being persecuted being pursued 2
G1377-18 διώξετε dioxete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL follow you will pursue 2
G1377-03 δίωκε dioke V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG pursue Keep pursuing 2

Occurrences in Scripture

45 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1377-01 Matthew 5:10 δεδιωγμένοι dediogmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been pursued
G1377-19 Matthew 5:11 διώξωσιν dioxosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they may pursue
G1377-24 Matthew 5:12 ἐδίωξαν edioxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they pursued
G1377-15 Matthew 5:44 διωκόντων diokonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL of those pursuing
G1377-16 Matthew 10:23 διώκωσιν diokosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL they may pursue
G1377-18 Matthew 23:34 διώξετε dioxete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL you will pursue
G1377-20 Luke 11:49 διώξουσιν dioxousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL persecute they will pursue
G1377-18 Luke 17:23 διώξητε dioxete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL follow you will pursue
G1377-20 Luke 21:12 διώξουσιν dioxousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will persecute they will pursue
G1377-22 John 5:16 ἐδίωκον ediokon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were persecuting they were pursuing
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