Lexical Summary ekdiégeomai: To recount, to relate in full, to describe thoroughly Original Word: ἐκδιηγέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance declare. From ek and a compound of dia and hegeomai; to narrate through wholly -- declare. see GREEK ek see GREEK dia see GREEK hegeomai HELPS Word-studies 1555 ekdiēgéomai (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 1334 /diēgéomai, "thoroughly declare") – properly, completely recount, with the person reporting declaring a full account (knowledge) of a matter and its outcome. "The word is a very strong expression for the fullest and clearest declaration: 'declare throughout' " (WS, 253). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and diégeomai Definition to tell in detail NASB Translation describe (1), describing in detail (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1555: ἐκδιηγέομαιἐκδιηγέομαι, ἐκδιηγοῦμαι; deponent middle; properly, to narrate in full or wholly; universally, to relate, tell, declare: τί, Acts 13:41 (Hebrews 1:5); Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term Strong’s Greek 1555 captures the idea of recounting something with thoroughness—relating an event, doctrine, or work of God down to the details. In the New Testament it appears only twice, both in Luke’s second volume, Acts. In each setting it functions to highlight the power of a carefully articulated testimony to God’s saving activity. Literary Context in Acts 1. Acts 13:41 records Paul’s synagogue sermon in Pisidian Antioch. Quoting Habakkuk 1:5, he warns, “I am doing a work in your days that you will never believe, even if someone told you”. The verb underscores that even a full, exhaustive narration of God’s redemptive work will be dismissed by unbelieving hearts. It sets a sobering backdrop for the missionary journeys that follow: detailed proclamation is necessary, but acceptance depends on divine illumination. 2. Acts 15:3 recounts Paul and Barnabas traveling to the Jerusalem council. “As they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers”. Here the same verb highlights how a comprehensive testimony of Gentile salvation becomes a means of corporate encouragement and doctrinal clarity for the early church. Intertextual Connections • Habakkuk 1:5 (Septuagint) employs similar language to depict prophetic “telling.” Paul’s citation ties the prophetic past to the apostolic present, showing Scripture’s unity. Theological Themes 1. Testimony as Means of Grace: Detailed recounting of the gospel’s advance is portrayed not as mere reportage but as a channel of joy, faith, and doctrinal formation (Acts 15:3; Romans 10:17). Historical and Cultural Background Greco-Roman historiography prized detailed narrative for preserving significant events. Luke, a well-educated companion of Paul, adopts this cultural expectation to authenticate the gospel’s advance. Furthermore, itinerant messengers in the early church functioned as living archives, ensuring that congregations geographically distant from apostolic centers could hear first-hand, carefully recounted accounts of God’s works. Implications for Gospel Witness • Precision Matters: The verb commends careful, orderly testimony. Vague references to God’s activity give little grounding for faith; specificity anchors proclamation in recognizable acts of God. Application for Contemporary Ministry 1. Document and Share God’s Works: Churches can emulate the Acts pattern by recording conversion stories, answered prayers, and missionary advances with accuracy and distributing them widely. Summary Strong’s Greek 1555 spotlights the importance of a thorough, orderly narration of God’s mighty acts. In Acts it both warns of unbelief and models how an exact testimony fuels joy and unity within the church. Faithful believers today continue this apostolic pattern, recounting with care the works of the Lord so that all may hear, rejoice, and believe. Forms and Transliterations εκδιήγησαι εκδιηγηται εκδιηγήται ἐκδιηγῆται εκδιηγουμενοι εκδιηγούμενοι ἐκδιηγούμενοι εκδιηγώνται εκδικάταί ekdiegetai ekdiegêtai ekdiēgētai ekdiēgē̂tai ekdiegoumenoi ekdiegoúmenoi ekdiēgoumenoi ekdiēgoúmenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 13:41 V-PSM/P-3SGRK: ἐάν τις ἐκδιηγῆται ὑμῖν NAS: SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.' KJV: though a man declare it unto you. INT: even if one should declare it to you Acts 15:3 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 1555 |
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