Greek word · G1274

διανύω

dianyō

to continue

Built from dia- ('through') and anyō ('accomplish, bring to an end'). Its classical and Hellenistic sense is 'to finish, complete, bring to its end', used of a task, a road or a distance. BDAG lists both senses and puts Acts 21:7 in the discussion.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δι-ανύω

[in LXX: 2Ma.12:17 * ;]

1. to accomplish fully, finish, complete: Acts 21:7 (EV).

2. In late writers (Xen., al., Clem., I ad Cor., xxv, 3), to continue: Ac, l.with (Field, Notes, 134f.).†

(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 21:7

Range of meaning

Built from dia- ('through') and anyō ('accomplish, bring to an end'). Its classical and Hellenistic sense is 'to finish, complete, bring to its end', used of a task, a road or a distance. In later Greek, including some papyri and authors of the Roman period, it can also mean 'to carry on, continue' a journey or activity. BDAG lists both senses and puts Acts 21:7 in the discussion.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB and YLT have 'finished'. ESV and NASB have 'finished' as well. NIV has 'continued'. The choice changes the travel picture: either the sea leg ended at Ptolemais, or the ship carried on south and Ptolemais was one more port of call.

Used elsewhere in the period

2 Maccabees 12:17 uses the verb for covering a distance and reaching a place. Xenophon of Ephesus (Ephesiaca 1.11) uses the same phrase, dianysantes ton ploun, of completing a voyage. Later papyri show the 'continue' sense.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 21:7 διανύσαντες having completed

    When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.

    Here: 'Having completed' or 'having carried on' the voyage. Here only in the New Testament. Translators split over whether the sea journey ended at Ptolemais or simply continued through it (see debates).

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