1339. diistémi
Lexical Summary
diistémi: To separate, to part, to put asunder

Original Word: διΐστημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diistémi
Pronunciation: dee-IS-tay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-is'-tay-mee)
KJV: go further, be parted, after the space of
NASB: carried, farther, parted, passed
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and G2476 (ἵστημι - standing)]

1. to stand apart
2. (reflexively) to remove, intervene

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
go further, be parted.

From dia and histemi; to stand apart, i.e. (reflexively) to remove, intervene -- go further, be parted, after the space of.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK histemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dia and histémi
Definition
to set apart, to intervene, make an interval
NASB Translation
carried (1), farther (1), parted (1), passed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1339: διΐστημι

διΐστημι: 1 aorist διέστησα; 2 aorist διέστην; (from Homer down); to place separately, put asunder, disjoin; in the middle (or passive) and the perfect and 2 aorist active to stand apart, to part, depart: βραχύ δέ διαστήσαντες, namely, ἑαυτούς or τήν ναῦν (cf. Buttmann, 47 (41)), when they had gone a little distance, viz. from the place before mentioned, i. e. having gone a little farther, Acts 27:28; of time: διαστάσης ὥρας μιᾶς one hour having intervened, Luke 22:59; διέστη ἀπ' αὐτῶν parted, withdrew from them, Luke 24:51.

Topical Lexicon
Concept Overview

Strong’s Greek 1339 portrays the action of “standing apart,” whether that separation is measured in time, in physical distance, or in personal presence. Though it appears only three times in the New Testament, each occurrence illuminates a unique aspect of how God orders events and movements within redemptive history.

Occurrences and Narrative Setting

1. Luke 22:59 – “About an hour later, another man insisted, ‘Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.’ ”

The verb marks the interval between Peter’s earlier denial and this renewed accusation, underscoring the progressive testing of Peter’s faith in the high-stakes setting of Jesus’ trial.
2. Acts 27:28 – “And they took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. After sailing a little farther, they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms.”

Here it measures a short nautical advance, heightening the drama of Paul’s shipwreck narrative and demonstrating the crew’s urgent, step-by-step struggle for survival.
3. Luke 24:51 – “While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.”

The verb describes the decisive moment when the risen Christ physically separates from His disciples on earth and ascends, signaling the close of His earthly ministry and the inauguration of theirs.

Range of Meaning Illustrated

• Temporal interval – a marker of elapsed time (Luke 22:59).
• Spatial interval – a description of measured distance (Acts 27:28).
• Personal departure – the physical removal of a person from companions (Luke 24:51).

This threefold usage shows the word’s flexibility while maintaining the core idea of “interval” or “gap.”

Historical Significance

In First-Century Judaea and the wider Greco-Roman world, tracking intervals—whether of time, travel, or relational presence—was critical. Luke, a meticulous historian, employs the verb to anchor his narratives in real chronology and geography, reinforcing the reliability of his account. In Acts, the maritime context reflects common seafaring language of ancient navigation, lending authenticity to the voyage narrative.

Theological Significance

Luke 22:59: The passing hour before Peter’s renewed denial illustrates human frailty; yet even this “hour apart” fits within Christ’s foretelling and sovereign plan (Luke 22:34).
Acts 27:28: Each incremental sounding demonstrates God’s providence in crisis. The measured distances punctuate a account that ends with every life preserved, validating Paul’s prophetic assurance (Acts 27:22-25).
Luke 24:51: The separation of Jesus from His disciples is not abandonment but transition. His departure prepares the way for the promised Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), turning absence into global mission.

Ministry Application

1. Trust God in apparent “gaps.” Whether an hour of temptation, a short journey through danger, or a season when Christ seems distant, Scripture records that every interval is under divine supervision.
2. Recognize measured progress. The sailors advanced “a little farther”; likewise, ministry often unfolds in incremental steps that still testify to God’s guiding hand.
3. Embrace commissioned separation. Christ’s physical departure empowers His followers to move outward with the gospel, confident that spiritual presence replaces bodily proximity (Matthew 28:20).

Relationship to Key Biblical Themes

• Divine sovereignty over time and space.
• The faithfulness of God amid human weakness.
• Transition from Christ’s earthly ministry to the Spirit-empowered church.

Summary

Though rare, Strong’s Greek 1339 serves as a narrative hinge in pivotal moments: Peter’s refining, Paul’s deliverance, and Christ’s ascension. Each “standing apart” affirms that every interval—temporal, spatial, or personal—unfolds within the purposeful oversight of God, advancing His redemptive plan and equipping His people for faithful service.

Forms and Transliterations
διαστασης διαστάσης διαστησαντες διαστήσαντες διαστήσεις διεστη διέστη διϊστησι διϊστώσιν diastases diastasēs diastáses diastásēs diastesantes diastēsantes diastḗsantes dieste diestē diéste diéstē
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 22:59 V-APA-GFS
GRK: καὶ διαστάσης ὡσεὶ ὥρας
NAS: an hour had passed, another man
KJV: And about the space of one hour
INT: And having elapsed about hour

Luke 24:51 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ' αὐτῶν
NAS: He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
KJV: blessed them, he was parted from them,
INT: he them he was separated from them

Acts 27:28 V-APA-NMP
GRK: βραχὺ δὲ διαστήσαντες καὶ πάλιν
NAS: and a little farther on they took
KJV: and when they had gone a little further,
INT: a little moreover having gone farther and again

Strong's Greek 1339
3 Occurrences


διαστάσης — 1 Occ.
διαστήσαντες — 1 Occ.
διέστη — 1 Occ.

1338
Top of Page
Top of Page