Greek word · G1555

ἐκδιηγέομαι

ekdiēgeomai

to tell in detail

To tell in full, narrate thoroughly, recount in detail. It is the verb diēgeomai (narrate) strengthened with ek- (out, completely).

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

What it means

ἐκ-δι-ηγέομαι, -οῦμαι depon.,

[in LXX chiefly for סָפַר, pi. ;]

to tell in detail, relate, declare: Acts 13:41 (LXX) Acts 15:3.†

(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 13:41

Range of meaning

To tell in full, narrate thoroughly, recount in detail. It is the verb diēgeomai (narrate) strengthened with ek- (out, completely).

Against the English

BSB and NIV have "told you" and KJV and WEB "declare." Both are fine, but they lose the sense of a full, detailed account.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint at Hab 1:5, rendering Hebrew yᵉsuppār ("it is recounted"), and in Job 12:8 and Sirach. The only other New Testament use is Acts 15:3, where Paul and Barnabas "describe in detail" the conversion of the Gentiles.

From the study of Acts 15:3

Range of meaning

'To narrate in full, to tell thoroughly.' The basic verb diēgeomai, 'to narrate', is strengthened by ek-, 'out, completely'.

Against the English

KJV and WEB 'declaring' sounds like a brief announcement. BSB 'recounting' is closer, and translations with 'describing in detail' are closest.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare. It appears in the New Testament only here and in Acts 13:41, where Paul quotes the Septuagint of Habakkuk 1:5: 'a work you will not believe even if someone tells it to you in full.' Ben Sira also uses it (e.g. Sirach 18:5, 42:15 in some witnesses) for recounting God's works.

From the study of Sirach 39:12

Range of meaning

To narrate in full, recount in detail, set forth thoroughly. It is a stronger form of diēgeomai ('relate, tell').

Against the English

KJV/Brenton have 'have I more to say' and WEB has 'I will utter'. Both flatten the sense of thoroughness and of recounting something specific. The verb implies a full exposition, not just 'saying more'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Psalms it is used for recounting God's deeds: 'I shall not die but live, and recount (ἐκδιηγήσομαι) the works of the Lord' (Ps 117:17 LXX = 118:17). Sirach uses it for the same subject: the Lord has not enabled even his holy ones 'to recount all his marvellous works' (42:17), and 'Who has seen him and can describe him?' (43:31). In the New Testament it appears at Acts 13:41 and 15:3.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 13:41 ἐκδιηγῆται shall declare it

    ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

    Here: To tell the story right through, in full. This sharpens the irony: Paul has just narrated God's work step by step (vv. 16–39).

  2. Acts 15:3 ἐκδιηγούμενοι relating in detail

    Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

    Here: 'Telling it out in full.' The prefix ek- adds the idea of thoroughness: a detailed account, place by place, of what had happened. The present tense means they did this repeatedly as they travelled.

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