διαπεράω

From the study of 1 Maccabees 5:43

Range of meaning

Diaperaō means to cross over to the other side, usually water: a river, a lake or a ravine with a stream. Proteros means 'earlier, first, before another', in time or in order.

Against the English

KJV/Brenton's 'went first over unto them' and WEB's 'crossed over against them first' are both accurate. Neither shows the reader that 'cross over' and 'first' are the exact terms of Timothy's prediction two verses earlier.

Used elsewhere in the period

Verse 40: Timothy tells his officers, 'If he crosses over to us first (diaperasē pros hēmas proteros), we will not be able to withstand him… but if he is afraid and camps beyond the river, we will cross over to him and prevail.' A test of the enemy's nerve as an omen recalls Jonathan at Michmash (1 Samuel 14:8–10), where the enemy's words decide whether Israel attacks. Commentators commonly note the parallel; the author may well intend it, but that is a likely inference, not certain.

From the study of Matthew 14:34

Range of meaning

To go across or pass over, especially across water: a lake, river or strait. It is built from 'through' (dia-) and 'to cross' (peraō), related to peran, 'the other side.'

Against the English

'Crossed over' (BSB, WEB, ESV), 'were gone over' (KJV) and 'passed over' (YLT) all fit. The KJV's 'were gone over' is older English for the same thing.

Used elsewhere in the period

The New Testament uses it for lake crossings (Matthew 9:1; Mark 5:21; 6:53) and for crossing a gulf (Luke 16:26; Acts 21:2). The Septuagint uses it for crossing rivers, for example Deuteronomy 30:13 ('who will cross over the sea for us?').

From the study of Matthew 9:1

Range of meaning

"To pass across", "to cross over", usually a stretch of water. It is built on peran, "the other side".

Against the English

"Crossed over" or "passed over" are accurate. NLT spells out "went back across the lake", which states plainly what the Greek implies.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used of crossing the lake in Matthew 14:34, Mark 5:21 and 6:53. In the Septuagint it is used for crossing rivers and seas, for example Deuteronomy 30:13 ("who will cross the sea for us?").