Lexical Summary dianoéma: Thought, intention, purpose Original Word: διανόημα 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 Originfrom dianoeomai (to think); from dia and noeó Definition a thought NASB Translation thoughts (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1270: διανόημαδιανόημα, διανοήματος, τό (διανοέω, to think), a thought: Luke 11:17 (the Sept.; Sirach (circa 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: 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). 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. 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? 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 dianoḗmataLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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