Greek · Strong's G1325
δίδωμι
dídōmi (DIH-doh-mee)
verb
To give; to grant, bestow, or commit something into the care or possession of another.
Δίδωμι (didomi) is a fundamental Greek verb conveying the act of giving. Its semantic range is exceptionally broad, encompassing physical transfers, the granting of authority or understanding, and even figurative applications. It can mean to give a physical object, as when Jesus gave bread to his disciples (Matthew 14:19). It also can refer to giving abstract concepts, such as knowledge or understanding, as seen in the giving of mysteries of the kingdom of God (Luke 8:10). The giving may be from a higher authority to a lower, as when power is given from above (John 19:11), or it can describe the actions of individuals in everyday life, like commanding food to be given (Mark 5:43). The theological weight of δίδωμι often lies in divine provision and sovereignty, highlighting God's active role in bestowing blessings, power, and understanding upon humanity. In the New Testament, it frequently describes God the Father or Jesus giving gifts, grace, and eternal life, underscoring the benevolent nature of God's actions toward creation and humanity.
Beyond simple physical transfer, δίδωμι can also denote commitment or entrusting something to another. This can involve the delivery of persons or things, or the granting of certain rights, privileges, or responsibilities. For instance, authority can be given to individuals (Revelation 6:4). The verb is crucial for understanding concepts of divine gifting, human stewardship, and the distribution of resources or spiritual insights. Its usage often implies an active agent dispensing something to a recipient, with varying degrees of voluntariness and obligation depending on the context.
The wide application of δίδωμι makes it a significant term for understanding the dynamics of spiritual and ethical interaction in the New Testament. It frequently appears in contexts related to salvation, judgment, and the establishment of God's kingdom, where God is portrayed as the ultimate giver of all good things. The term encompasses a spectrum of meaning from simple acts of charity to profound theological statements about divine grace and providence.
Common English renderings
- give
- grant
- bestow
- deliver
- put
- commit
Key verses
"Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin."
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"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand."
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"And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes."
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"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it."
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"And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
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"And anotherhorsecame forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."
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