1288. diaspaó

Lexical Summary

diaspaó: To tear apart, to rend, to divide

Original Word: διασπάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diaspaó
Pronunciation: dee-as-pah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-pah'-o)
KJV: pluck asunder, pull in pieces
NASB: torn apart, torn to pieces
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and G4685 (σπάω - drew)]

1. to draw apart, i.e. sever or dismember

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pluck asunder, tear apart

From dia and spao; to draw apart, i.e. Sever or dismember -- pluck asunder, pull in pieces.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK spao

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from dia and spaó
Definition
to draw apart, tear asunder
NASB Translation
torn to pieces (1), torn apart (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1288: διασπάω

διασπάω: Passive (perfect infinitive διεσπάσθαι); 1 aorist διεσπασθην; to rend asunder, break asunder: τάς ἁλύσεις, Mark 5:4 (τάς νευράς, Judges 16:9); of a man, to tear in pieces: Acts 23:10 (τούς ἄνδρας κρεουργηδόν, Herodotus 3, 13).

Topical Lexicon

Root Idea and Semantic Flavor

Strong’s Greek 1288 pictures a forceful rending or pulling apart. It conveys more than simple breakage; the idea is that something is violently scattered, as though dragged in different directions. The verb therefore appears in scenes of extreme conflict or supernatural strength.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Mark 5:4 – The Gerasene demoniac repeatedly “had torn apart” the iron chains that restrained him, displaying destructive power generated by demonic possession.
2. Acts 23:10 – During a heated argument between the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Roman commander “was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces,” so he intervened to preserve the apostle’s life.

Historical and Cultural Background

Chains in the Roman world were forged of iron links capable of restraining prisoners and slaves; ordinary men could not break them. That the demoniac in Mark 5 shattered such fetters underscored both his isolation from society and the malign spiritual forces within him. By contrast, the Sanhedrin setting of Acts 23 was an esteemed judicial council; yet its members, provoked by Paul’s testimony of the resurrection, lost composure to the point of potential violence—an irony that Luke highlights.

Theological Themes

1. Spiritual Bondage and the Power of Evil
• Mark 5 depicts sin and demonic activity as capable of inflicting terrifying strength and self-destructive behavior. The same verb that describes the rending of chains anticipates the eventual rending of the swine-drowned demons’ hold over the man (Mark 5:15).
2. Divine Preservation of God’s Servant
• In Acts 23 the Lord’s sovereign care surfaces. Though the mob would have “torn” Paul apart, the Roman commander’s intervention became the providential means of rescue. Shortly afterward, the risen Christ stood by Paul and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
3. Contrast Between Destructive Force and Redemptive Power
• The verb highlights humanity’s inability to restrain evil by human means (Mark 5) and the frailty of religious institutions at odds with the gospel (Acts 23). Yet in both scenes God’s redemptive purpose prevails—delivering a tormented man and safeguarding an apostle.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Old Testament episodes of tearing (Judges 14:6; 1 Kings 13:24) frequently involve judgment or superhuman strength, foreshadowing New Testament usages.
• The “rending” of the temple veil at Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51) contrasts violent tearing motivated by evil with a divine act that opens access to God.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Deliverance: Only Christ can break spiritual bondage that no human effort can contain (Mark 5).
• Protection in Ministry: Opposition may threaten to “tear” believers apart, yet God’s purpose and calling remain secure (Acts 23; 2 Timothy 4:17-18).
• Discernment: Religious passion untempered by truth can become destructive. Leaders must guard against zeal that spirals into contention.
• Hope for the Bound: The most shattered lives, like the Gerasene, can be restored, clothed, and in their right minds when they meet Jesus.

Doctrinal Implications

The verb underscores humanity’s need for divine intervention. Whether the chains are literal or figurative, their shattering apart points to the insufficiency of moral restraint alone and the supremacy of Christ’s liberating power. Simultaneously, the near-dismemberment of Paul exemplifies how God governs circumstances, using even secular authorities to fulfill His mission.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 1288 surfaces briefly yet vividly in Scripture, painting scenes of uncontrollable power and imminent danger. Each time, God proves greater—breaking the fiercest bonds and preserving His witness. The verb thus serves as a stark reminder of evil’s ferocity and of grace that rescues, heals, and secures those who trust in the Lord.

Forms and Transliterations

διάσπα διασπάσει διασπασθη διασπασθή διασπασθῇ διασπάται διέσπασέ διέσπασεν διεσπασθαι διεσπάσθαι διεσπάσθησαν diaspasthe diaspasthē diaspasthêi diaspasthē̂i diespasthai diespásthai

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 5:4 V-RNM/P
GRK: δεδέσθαι καὶ διεσπάσθαι ὑπ' αὐτοῦ
NAS: and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles
KJV: the chains had been plucked asunder by
INT: had been bound and had been torn in two by him

Acts 23:10 V-ASP-3S
GRK: χιλίαρχος μὴ διασπασθῇ ὁ Παῦλος
NAS: Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered
KJV: Paul should have been pulled in pieces of
INT: chief captain lest should be torn in pieces Paul

Strong's Greek 1288
2 Occurrences

διασπασθῇ — 1 Occ.
διεσπάσθαι — 1 Occ.