Greek word · G1316

διαχωρίζω

diachōrizō

be separated

διαχωρίζω: to divide, separate, part (Luke 9:33 uses it of people departing). κατὰ μόνας: a set idiom meaning "alone, by oneself, in private".

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δια-χωρίζω

[in LXX: Genesis 1:4 ff (בָּדַל hi.), Genesis 13:9 ff. (פָּרַד ni.), etc. ;]

to separate entirely. Mid., to separate oneself, depart: before ἀπό Luke 9:33.†

(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 1 Maccabees 12:36

Range of meaning

διαχωρίζω: to divide, separate, part (Luke 9:33 uses it of people departing). κατὰ μόνας: a set idiom meaning "alone, by oneself, in private".

Against the English

KJV says "that so it might be alone" and WEB "isolated". Both are accurate. "Isolated" makes the military sense clearer.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint, διαχωρίζω is used of dividing or setting apart (e.g., Gen 1:4, 6–7: God dividing light from darkness and the waters). κατὰ μόνας occurs in the Septuagint and in Mark 4:10 and Luke 9:18.

From the study of Luke 9:33

Range of meaning

To separate thoroughly, divide. In the middle/passive, 'to part from, go away from'.

Against the English

BSB 'as Moses and Elijah were leaving' names the subject helpfully. KJV 'as they departed' can sound like the departure was complete. The present infinitive means it is in progress: 'as they were parting'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the Septuagint of God separating light from darkness and the waters (Gen 1:4, 6–7). It appears only here in the New Testament. Mark and Matthew have no matching phrase; this timing note is Luke's own.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 9:33 διαχωρίζεσθαι departing

    As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

    Here: A present infinitive, so the action is still happening: Moses and Elijah are in the act of separating from Jesus. Peter speaks as the vision is breaking up, not while it is at its height.

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