Greek word · G1333

διετία

dietia

two years

A period of two years, a biennium. In the NT it appears only in Acts 24:27 and 28:30.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

διετία, -ας, ἡ

(διετής), [in LXX (Græc. Ven.): Genesis 41:1 45:5 * ;]

the space of two years: Acts 24:27 28:30.†

(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 28:30

Range of meaning

A period of two years, a biennium. In the NT it appears only in Acts 24:27 and 28:30.

Against the English

'Two whole/full years' is accurate. English loses the matching single word that ties this verse to 24:27.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word is found in papyri and legal or administrative Greek for terms of time, such as leases and periods of office. Philo uses it too. In Acts 24:27 it marks Paul's custody in Caesarea, which ended when Felix was replaced.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 24:27 Διετίας When two years

    After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

    Here: A full two-year span, which most read as the length of Paul's custody in Caesarea. Luke uses the same word in 28:30 for Paul's two years under house arrest in Rome.

  2. Acts 28:30 διετίαν two years

    Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.

    Here: One noun meaning 'a space of two years'. Luke uses it only one other time, for Paul's two years in custody at Caesarea under Felix (24:27). So the book closes with a second two-year custody that matches the first.

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