Greek word · G1265

διαμένω

diamenō

to remain

Remain, continue, stay on, persist. The prefix dia- ('through') adds the sense of lasting throughout and continuing unchanged.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

δια-μένω

[in LXX for עמד, etc.;]

to remain, continue: Luke 1:22 22:28, Galatians 2:5, Hebrews 1:11" (LXX), 2 Peter 3:4.†

(AS)

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

Range of meaning: Remain, continue, stay on, persist. The prefix dia- ('through') adds the sense of lasting throughout and continuing unchanged.
Against the English: 'Remain' and 'continue' are accurate. KJV 'remainest' and WEB 'continue' both work. The word suggests outlasting, which flat English 'remain' only partly conveys.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the LXX of Psalm 101:27 it translates Hebrew taʿămōd, 'you stand'. Elsewhere in the NT: Luke 1:22 (Zechariah 'remained' mute), Luke 22:28 ('you who have stood by me'), Galatians 2:5 (so that the gospel 'might remain' with you). The closest parallel is 2 Peter 3:4, where scoffers say 'all things continue (diamenei) as they were from the beginning of creation'. That is exactly the claim about creation that this psalm denies.

Range of meaning: To remain, continue, persist, stay unchanged over time (Luke 1:22; 22:28; Galatians 2:5).
Against the English: “Continue” (KJV, BSB, WEB), “remain” (YLT). NIV’s “everything goes on” captures the idea of unbroken routine well.
Used elsewhere in the period: Hebrews 1:11, quoting Psalm 102:26 (LXX): the heavens and earth “will perish, but you remain (diameneis).” In the Psalm it is God who lasts while creation wears out. Greek philosophers argued about whether the world lasts forever. Aristotle held it was eternal. Stoics taught it is periodically burned up and renewed. Epicureans held that the gods do not intervene.

Range of meaning: To remain, continue, persist, endure without change. The prefix dia- intensifies the idea of lasting through time.
Against the English: KJV and WEB "continue," YLT and BSB "remain." All are fair, but they can lose the sense of staying intact or unaltered.
Used elsewhere in the period: Luke 1:22 (Zechariah "remained" mute); Luke 22:28 (the disciples "remained" with Jesus in his trials); Heb 1:11 ("you remain," quoting Ps 102); 2 Pet 3:4 ("all things continue as they were"). Common in the papyri for agreements or conditions remaining in force.

Luke · 2

Luke 1:22 διέμενεν was remaining

When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Luke 22:28 διαμεμενηκότες having remained

You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.

Here: 'Having stayed right through.' The prefix dia- ('through') stresses lasting the whole way. The perfect tense looks back over the whole ministry and treats their staying as a settled fact that still holds.

Galatians · 1

Galatians 2:5 διαμείνῃ may continue

We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

Here: "Might remain" or "might stay intact." The prefix dia- ("through") adds the idea of lasting through time or holding firm: the gospel was to stay with them permanently and undamaged.

Hebrews · 1

Hebrews 1:11 διαμένεις· remain;

They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Here: 'Remain right through.' The prefix dia- ('through') adds the idea of lasting through every change and outliving it. As accented in modern editions it is present tense, describing what is always true of the Son: he goes on remaining.

2 Peter · 1

2 Peter 3:4 διαμένει continue

“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

Here: Present tense of a verb meaning “stay on, keep going unchanged.” The scoffers credit the world with the kind of permanence that Scripture gives to God alone (Hebrews 1:11).

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