Greek word · G1262

διαλύω

dialyō

to disperse

διαλύω means "to dissolve, break up, disband". It is used for assemblies, armies and alliances. "Become into nothing" means "come to nothing", end without result.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δια-λύω

[in LXX for אבה, חבל, etc. ;]

to part asunder, dissolve; of an assembly, pass., to disperse: Acts 5:36.†

(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 Acts 5:36

Range of meaning

διαλύω means "to dissolve, break up, disband". It is used for assemblies, armies and alliances. "Become into nothing" means "come to nothing", end without result.

Against the English

"Dispersed" or "scattered" (BSB, WEB, KJV) shows people going separate ways. "Dissolved" says more: the group stopped existing as a body. Verse 37 uses a different verb for Judas's followers, διεσκορπίσθησαν ("were scattered").

Used elsewhere in the period

Wisdom 2:2 says "we were born by chance and shall be as though we had never been", where "as though not" (ὡς οὐχ) is similar language. The LXX of Isaiah 40:17 says the nations are counted "as nothing" (εἰς οὐθέν).

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 5:36 διελύθησαν they were dispersed

    Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

    Here: "Were dissolved" or "broken up". The group fell apart as a body, more than just scattering on foot.

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