1270. dianoéma
Lexical Summary
dianoéma: Thought, intention, purpose

Original Word: διανόημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: dianoéma
Pronunciation: dee-an-o'-ay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-an-o'-ay-mah)
KJV: thought
NASB: thoughts
Word Origin: [from a compound of G1223 (διά - through) and G3539 (νοιέω - understand)]

1. something thought through, i.e. a sentiment

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
thought.

From a compound of dia and noieo; something thought through, i.e. A sentiment -- thought.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK noieo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1270 dianóēma (from 1223 /diá, "through," which intensifies 3539 /noiéō, "to think") – "think through, distinguish. This substantive is common in Plato, . . . for intent, purpose" (WP, 2, 161) but is only used in Lk 11:17 (critical text). See 1271 (dianoia).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dianoeomai (to think); from dia and noeó
Definition
a thought
NASB Translation
thoughts (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1270: διανόημα

διανόημα, διανοήματος, τό (διανοέω, to think), a thought: Luke 11:17 (the Sept.; Sirach (circa ?); often in Plato.)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Conceptual Background

Strong’s Greek 1270 designates the inner deliberations of the heart—plans, designs, and reflections that rise out of one’s inmost being. Scripture consistently views such interior reasoning as morally freighted: the invisible world of thought directs visible action and reveals spiritual condition (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:19).

Biblical Usage

The term appears once in the New Testament. Luke records, “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall’” (Luke 11:17). Here Christ discerns the silent reasoning of His critics who accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul. The single occurrence is therefore charged with theological weight: the Lord exposes hidden motives, refutes their logic, and demonstrates divine omniscience.

Old Testament Resonance

Though the Greek word itself is absent from the Hebrew canon, its idea permeates the Old Testament:
Genesis 6:5 – “Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.”
1 Chronicles 28:9 – “The LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought.”
Psalm 94:11 – “The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”

These texts prepare the reader for Luke 11:17 by establishing that only God fully knows human deliberations.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Omniscience. Jesus’ awareness of unspoken reasoning (Luke 11:17) supplies direct evidence of His deity (cf. John 2:25).
2. Moral Accountability. Because God sees interior plans, judgment extends beyond actions to intentions (Matthew 5:28; Hebrews 4:12-13).
3. Spiritual Warfare. A divided mind mirrors the divided kingdom Jesus describes. Satan aims to fracture thought patterns with unbelief and double-mindedness (James 1:8), but Christ offers a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Christological Implications

Luke frames the incident within escalating conflict. By unveiling hidden schemes, Jesus not only defends His ministry but also illustrates how the Messianic kingdom unites what sin has shattered. The wholeness He brings contrasts with the fragmentation that characterizes satanic dominion.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Preachers may appeal to Luke 11:17 when warning against hypocrisy; outward orthodoxy cannot mask inner rebellion.
• Disciple-makers can employ the passage to stress thought-life stewardship, pairing it with Romans 12:2—“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
• Evangelists find comfort in knowing that Christ still reads hearts; prayer for conviction relies on His penetrating gaze (Acts 16:14).

Counseling and Discipleship

Believers battling intrusive or divisive thoughts are called to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Luke 11:17 assures them that the Savior discerns and can re-order the mind. Practical steps include Scripture meditation (Psalm 1:2), confession of sinful mental patterns (1 John 1:9), and reliance on the Spirit who “searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Historical Interpretation

Patristic writers saw Luke 11:17 as a polemic against both Gnostic dualism and later modalist errors, arguing that only the true God could know inner counsels. Medieval commentators linked the verse to the unity of the church: schism begins in divisive thoughts. Reformers cited it to affirm sola fide, emphasizing that genuine faith issues from the heart, not mere outward conformity.

Practical Reflection Questions

1. What hidden reasonings presently divide my loyalty to Christ?
2. How does awareness of Jesus’ knowledge of my thoughts foster deeper repentance?
3. In what ways can I cultivate unified, kingdom-oriented thinking in my home, church, and community?

Summary

Strong’s 1270 captures the arena where spiritual battles are won or lost—the interior life. In its lone New Testament appearance, the word highlights Jesus’ sovereign insight and calls every generation to wholehearted allegiance, for no divided house can stand.

Forms and Transliterations
διανοηματα διανοήματα διανοημάτων διανόησιν dianoemata dianoēmata dianoḗmata
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 11:17 N-ANP
GRK: αὐτῶν τὰ διανοήματα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς
NAS: But He knew their thoughts and said
KJV: their thoughts, said
INT: their the thoughts said to them

Strong's Greek 1270
1 Occurrence


διανοήματα — 1 Occ.

1269
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