Greek word · G1239

διαδίδωμι

diadidōmi

to distribute

To give out, distribute, share among several people (Luke 11:22, sharing out spoils; Luke 18:22, giving to the poor; Acts 4:35, distributing to each as anyone had need).

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δια-διδωμι

[in LXX for חלק pi., etc. ;]

1. to hand over, deliver: Revelation 17:13, Rec.

2. to distribute: Luke 11:22 18:22, John 6:11, Acts 4:35†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of John 6:11

Range of meaning

To give out, distribute, share among several people (Luke 11:22, sharing out spoils; Luke 18:22, giving to the poor; Acts 4:35, distributing to each as anyone had need).

Against the English

'Distributed' (most versions) is accurate. What matters is who does it. The KJV's text has Jesus give to the disciples, who give to the crowd. The earliest manuscripts have Jesus distributing directly.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the Greek Old Testament and in Hellenistic writing for handing out rations or benefits, the sort of thing a patron or king did for dependants.

From the study of Luke 18:22

Range of meaning

'To hand over through' or 'to distribute among several': to share out goods, food or money among many recipients. It also means handing on a successor's office (BDAG).

Against the English

BSB and NIV 'give to the poor' flattens it to a single handover. KJV, ESV, NASB and WEB 'distribute' keep the idea of sharing it out among many needy people.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke uses it again in Luke 11:22 (dividing spoil) and Acts 4:35, where the apostles' fund 'was distributed to each as any had need'. The Gospel scene anticipates the practice of the Jerusalem community. It is attested in the Greek Jewish writings of the period for distributing goods.

Where it appears

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 11:22 διαδίδωσιν. he divides.

    But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.

  2. Luke 18:22 διάδος do distribute

    On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

    Here: 'Distribute', literally 'give through' or 'parcel out' among many. Luke's choice; Mark has the plain 'give'. It is the word for the church's distribution to the needy in Acts 4:35.

John · 1

  1. John 6:11 διέδωκεν He distributed

    Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.

    Here: 'Gave out among' them. In the best manuscripts the subject is Jesus himself: John presents him as the one giver of the food.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 4:35 διεδίδετο distribution was made

    and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.