Quick Definition
διακρίνω v. I distinguish, discern, doubt, hesitate
Strong's Definition
from 1223 and 2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate
KJV Usage: contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | aor.pass. διεκρίθην | κρίνω
30.109 · Think · To Distinguish, To Evaluate, To Judge
to judge carefully, to evaluate carefully to make a judgment on the basis of careful and detailed information
30.99 · Think · To Choose, To Select, To Prefer
to prefer, to judge as superior, to regard as more valuable to judge something to be better than something else, and hence, to prefer Superiority is often expressed in terms of ‘being better,’ but in some languages it is designated by means of a phrase meaning ‘to surpass,’ so that the question in 1CO 4:7 may be rendered as ‘who judges that you surpass others?’
30.113 · Think · To Distinguish, To Evaluate, To Judge
to make a distinction, to judge that there is a difference to judge that there is a difference or distinction In some languages it may be best to render this statement in ACT 15:9 as ‘he did not think that we and they are different.’
31.37 · (διακρίνομαι[a]) · Hold a View, Believe, Trust · Believe To Be True
to doubt, to be uncertain about, doubt to think that something may not be true or certain In a number of languages ‘doubt’ is expressed by means of idioms, for example, ‘to have two thoughts’ or ‘to think only perhaps’ or ‘to believe only a little’ or ‘to question one’s heart about.’
MAT 21:21 · MRK 11:23 · ACT 10:20 · ROM 4:20 · ROM 14:23 · JAS 1:6 · JAS 1:6 · JUD 1:22
33.444 · (διακρίνομαι[b]) · Communication · Dispute, Debate
to dispute, to debate about, contention, dispute to dispute with someone on the basis of different judgments
33.412 · (διακρίνομαι[c]) · Communication · Criticize
to criticize to express disapproval of what someone has done It is possible to interpret the meaning of διακρίνομαι in ACT 11:2 as being merely adverse judgment, but since this judgment was clearly voiced, διακρίνομαι implies more than mere judgment. The direct expression of an adverse judgment may be best rendered in English as ‘to criticize.’
1 The meanings of κρίνω[c] (30.108), ἀνακρίνω[d] and διακρίνω[a] (30.109) are all closely related to the process of learning and of understanding, and in some contexts the meanings shade one into the other.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
δια-κρίνω ; impf. διέκρινον ; 1 aor. διέκρινα ; Mid., [pres. διακρίνομαι ] ; impf. διεκρινόμην ; 1 aor. διεκρίθην (in prof. auth. in a pass. sense, to be separated ; cf. W. § 39, 2; [B. 52 (45)]) ; in Grk. writ. fr. Hom. down; in Sept. chiefly for DAY, also for 7. ἼΠ| ete. 1. to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, [cf. διά, C. 4]: οὐδὲν διέκρινε μεταξὺ ἡμῶν τε καὶ αὐτῶν, Acts xv. 9; μηδὲν διακρίναντα, making no difference, sc. between Jews and Gentiles, Acts xi. 12 LT Tr WH; like the Lat. distinguo, used emphatically : to distinguish or separate a person or thing from the rest, in effect i.q. to prefer, yield to him the preference or honor: τινά, 1 Co. iv. 7 [ef. W. 452 (421)]; τὸ σῶμα (τοῦ κυρίου), 1 Co. xi. 29. 2. to learn by discrimination, to try, decide: Mt. xvi. 8 [T br. WI reject the pass.]; 1 Co. xiv. 29; ἑαυτόν, 1 Co. xi. 31; to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute: 1 Co. vi. 5. Pass.and Mid. to be parted, to separate one’s self from; 1. to withdraw from one, desert him (Thue. 1, 105; 3,9); of heretics withdrawing from the society of true Christians (Sozom. 7, 2 [p. 705 ed. Vales. ] ἐκ τούτου of μὲν διακριθέντες ἰδίᾳ ἐκκλησίαζον) : Jude 22 ace. to the (preferable) reading of LT Tr txt. ἐλέγχετε διακρινομένους, those who separate themselves from you, i.e. who apostatize ; instead of the Ree. ἐλεεῖτε διακρινόμενοι, which is to be rendered, making for yourselves a selection; ef. Huther ad loc.; [others though adopting the reading preferred above, refer é:axp. to the following head and translate it while they dispute with you; but WII (see their App.) Tr mrg. follow codd. 8B and a few other author. in reading ἐλεᾶτε διακρινομένους ace. to which δίακρ. is probably to be referred to signification 3: R. V. txt. “on some have mercy, who are indoubt”). 42. to separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with, dispute, contend: with dat. of pers. Jude 9, (Polyb. 2, 22,11 [ef. W. § 31,1¢.; B.177(154)]); πρός τινα, Acts xi. 2, (Hdt. 9, 58). 3. in a sense not found in prof. auth. to be at variance with one’s self, hesitate, doubt: Mt. xxi. 21; Ro. xiv. 23; Jas. i. 6; ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, Mk. xi. 23 ; ἐν ἑαυτῷ [i. 6. -τοῖς ], Jas. ii. 4 [4]. refer this to 1: do ye not make distinctions among yourselves]; μηδὲν διακρινόμενος, nothing doubting i. 6. wholly free from doubt, Jas. i. 6; without any hesitation as to whether it be lawful or not, Acts x. 20 and acc. to RG in xi. 12; οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ he did not hesitate through want of faith, Ro. iv. 20.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
διακρίνω diakrinō 19x
to separate, sever; to make a distinction or difference, Acts 15:9; 1 Cor. 11:29; to make to differ, distinguish, prefer, confer a superiority, 1 Cor. 4:7; to examine, scrutinize, estimate, 1 Cor. 11:31; 14:29; to discern, discriminate, Mt. 16:3; to judge, to decide a cause, 1 Cor. 6:5; to dispute, contend, Acts 11:2; Jude 9; to make a distinction mentally, Jas. 2:4; Jude 22; in NT to hesitate, be in doubt, doubt, Mt. 21:21; Mk. 11:23
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
δια-κρίνω
[in LXX for שׁפט, דִּין, etc. ;]
to separate, hence, to distinguish, discriminate, discern: μηδὲν δ., Ac 11:12; οὐδὲν δ. μεταξύ, Ac 15:9; σε, I Co 4:7; τὸ σῶμα, I Co 11:29.
to settle, decide, judge, arbitrate: Mt 16:3, I Co 6:5 11:29 (ICC, in l.), ib. 31 14:29. Mid, and pass.;
to get a decision, contend, dispute: seq. πρός, Ac 11:2; c. dat. (but v. ICC, in l.), Ju 9; absol., Ju 22 (R, mg.).
Hellenistic (NT and Eccl., but not LXX), to be divided in one's mind, to hesitate, doubt: Mt 21:21 Ro 14:23, Ja 1:6; ἐν ἐαυτῷ, Ja 2:4; ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ, Mk 11:23; μηδὲν δ., Ac 10:20; δ. τ. ἀπιστίᾳ, Ro 4:20, Ju 22 (R, txt.).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
διακρίνω. The active = ‘‘test,” ‘‘examine” (cf. Mt 16%) in BGU IIT. 747% 50 (A.D. 139) τ]οὺς πράκτορας δ[ι]ακρείνω πρ]ὸς τὸν εἰἰ]σίι]όν[ τ]α ὑπὲρ [τ]ῆς ἰδί[α]ς πρακτωρί[α]ς λόγο[ν] αἱἰ[τ]ούμ[ε]νοίς. It is ‘‘determine,” ‘ decide” in OG/S 434 (iii/B.c.) ἠιητήσατο δικαστὰς καὶ διαλίλακτῆρας τοὺς διακρινοῦντας περὶ τῶν ἀμφ[ισβητουμέν]ων συμβολαίων : c. acc, pers. tb.1* τοὺ]ς δὲ διέκρινομ μετὰ πάσης δικαι[οσύνης. Similarly in .Sy// 92418 (B.c. 210-5) τάς τε δίκας μετὰ τῶν συνιερομναμόνων τὰς μὲν διέλυσε τὰς δὲ διέκρινε δικαίως κατὰ τοὺς νόϊμ]ους : here we have acc. vez, but the same antithesis with διαλύειν as in OG/S 434 (above). It appears again in the passive, of persons in Sy// 17725 (B.C. 303) τὰ δὲ ἐγκλήματα καὶ τὰ συμβόλαια [τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ἑκατέροις, αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὑτοὺς διαλυθῆναι ἢ διακριθῆναι [κατὰ τοὺς ἑκατέρων ν]όμους. The former verb suggests settlement by consent, as against a judicial verdict. Add for the passive P Tor 1. 1-3 (Bc. 116) (= Chrest. II. p. 37) προσυποδεικνὺς ὡς εἰ Kal ἐπὶ λαοκριτῶν διεκρίνοντο καθ᾽ ods παρέκειτο νόμους κτλ., P Par 4615 (B.c. 153) (= Witkowski?, p. 87) ἡγούμενος δεῖν ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου μὲν μηθενὸς αὐτῶι διακριθῆναι, ἐπὶ σοῦ δ᾽ αὐτοῦ, P Magd 28 γεζίοδ (B.C. 218) ὅπως διακριθῶ αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ Διοφανοῦς, ‘pour que nous soyons jugés par Diophanes” (Ed.). In these last two passages note the dat. fers.: διακρίνεσθαί τινι is ““ἴο have one’s case with so-and-so decided.”’ The use illustrates Jude®, where Michael is pleading his case against the devil before God. The verb is absolute in P Magd 118 (B.c. 221) γράψαι Μενέλλαι τῶι ἐπιστάτηι ἀποστεῖλαι αὐτοὺς διαFor the simple κριθησομένους, ‘de les envoyer en justice.” meaning ‘‘ distinguish” cf. the magic papyrus P Lond 461° (iv/A.D.) (=I. p. 68) σὺ (the Deity) διέκρεινας τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὸ ἄδικον. The distinctive NT sense of διακρίνεσθαι, “to be divided against oneself,” Mk 11, Rom 4?°, Jas 18, if not a Christian coinage, seems “to have had its beginning in near proximity to Christianity” (SH ad Kom 4*°). the general sense of ‘‘ making distinctions.” ““waver,” ‘‘doubt,’’ as in It arises very naturally out of
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
διακρίνω (diakrinō) — to judge/doubt. διακρίνω [ρῑ], future -κρῐνῶ, Epic dialect and Delph. -κρῐνέω[Refs 8th c.BC+]:—separate one from another, ὥς τ᾽ αἰπόλια.. αἰπόλοι ἄνδρες ῥεῖα διακρίνωσιν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; part combatants, εἰς ὅ κε δαίμων ἄμμε διακρίνη [Refs 8th c.BC+]:—passive, to be parted, of hair, [Refs 8th c.BC+], etc.: also in future middle, διακρινέεσθαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; διακρίνεσθαι πρός.. part and join different parties, [Refs] __b passive, to be divorced, [Refs]
2. in Philosophy, separate, decompose into elemental parts, opposed to συγκρίνω, chiefly in passive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. ἄστρων διακρίνει φάη σελάνα probably sets apart, removes, i.e. outshines, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. distinguish, καί κ᾽ ἀλαὸς διακρίνειε τὸ σῆμα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; οὐδένα δ. without distinction of persons, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: perfect passive in middle sense, διακεκρίμεθα τάς τε καθαρὰς ἡδονὰς καὶ.. [Refs 5th c.BC+]pluperfect in passive sense, διεκέκριτο οὐδέν no distinction was made, [Refs 5th c.BC+]distinct, varied, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III. decide, of judges, ὀρθᾷ δ. φρενί [Refs 5th c.BC+]; also, determine a fever, mark its crisis, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἡ νοῦσος μάλιστα διακρίνει ἐν οὐδενί has usually no crisis in any patient, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —middle, νεῖκος δ. get it decided, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; decide among yourselves, ταῦτα.. ὅπως ποτ᾽ ἔχει δ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, bring an issue to decision, ἐπέεσσί γε νηπυτίοισι ὧδε διακρινθέντε [Refs 8th c.BC+]; αἴ τινι τᾶν πολίων ᾖ ἀμφίλλογα, διακριθῆμεν Foed.Doric dialect cited in [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of combatants, μάχῃ διακριθῆναι πρός τινα [LXX+5th c.BC+]; ὅπλοις ἢ λόγοις διακρίνεσθαι Philipp. cited in [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τινί with one, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; also πόλεμος διακριθήσεται [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of a person, to be judged, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
IV. set [a place] apart for holy purposes, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
V. interpret a dream, etc., [Refs 1st c.AD+]
VI. question, τοὺς ἰατρούς [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
VII. doubt, hesitate, waver, [NT]middle and passive, μηδὲν διακρινόμενος[Refs]; μὴ διακριθῆτε [NT]