Original Word: διερμηνεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dierméneuó
Pronunciation: dee-er-main-YOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-er-main-yoo'-o)
KJV: expound, interpret(-ation)
NASB: interpret, explained, interprets, translated
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and G2059 (ἑρμηνεύω - translated)]

1. to explain thoroughly
2. (by implication) to translate

expound, interpret.

From dia and hermeneuo; to explain thoroughly, by implication, to translate -- expound, interpret(-ation).

see GREEK dia

see GREEK hermeneuo

1329 diermēneúō (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly across, to the other side," which intensifies 2059 /hermēneúō, "interpret") – properly, thoroughly interpret, accurately (fully) explain.

Word Origin
from dia and herméneuó
Definition
to explain thoroughly, by impl. to translate
NASB Translation
explained (1), interpret (3), interprets (1), translated (1).

STRONGS NT 1329: διερμηνεύω

διερμηνεύω; imperfect διηρμηνευον and (without augment cf. Buttmann, 34 (30)) διερμηνευον (Luke 24:27 L Tr marginal reading); 1 aorist (also without augment; so all early manuscripts Hort) διερμήνευσα (Luke, the passage cited T Tr text WH); (present passive διερμηνεύομαι); to interpret (διά intensifying by marking transition (cf. German verdeutlichen); Winer's De verb. comp. etc. Part v., p. 10f);

1. to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, expound: τί, Luke 24:27; absolutely, 1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 27.

2. to translate into one's native language: Acts 9:36 (2 Macc. 1:36; Polybius 3, 22, 3, and several times in Philo (cf. Siegfried, Glossar. Phil. under the word)).

Semantic Range and Breadth of Usage

The verb διερμηνεύω moves along a continuum from simple translation of words to the full-orbed unfolding of meaning. In the New Testament it surfaces in narrative, didactic, and charismatic settings, showing how the Spirit bridges linguistic and conceptual gaps so that truth may be grasped.

Christ, the Supreme Interpreter

Luke 24:27 marks the risen Lord’s authoritative exposition of the Old Testament: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.” Here διερμηνεύω portrays more than lexical equivalence; it depicts the unveiling of the redemptive thread that binds Genesis to Malachi. The Emmaus road scene establishes Jesus as the model for Christian hermeneutics—Scripture interpreted Christocentrically and cohesively.

Translation and the Multilingual Church

Acts 9:36 illustrates the everyday side of the verb: “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas)…” The note clarifies an Aramaic name for Greek readers, reflecting the heterogeneous makeup of early congregations. From Pentecost onward, believers encountered linguistic diversity; accurate translation safeguarded fellowship and doctrinal unity.

Spiritual Gifts and Congregational Edification

1 Corinthians applies διερμηνεύω to the charismatic gift of interpreting tongues.
• 1 Corinthians 14:5 underscores its value: “He who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.”
• 1 Corinthians 14:13 directs the tongue-speaker to “pray that he may interpret,” linking glossolalia and interpretation as complementary functions under the Spirit’s governance.
• Verse 27 requires that any public tongue “be interpreted,” cementing intelligibility as the test of profitable worship.
• 1 Corinthians 12:30’s rhetorical question—“Do all interpret?”—locates the gift among specialized ministries, distributed according to divine sovereignty.

Taken together, the passages teach that supernatural speech must never eclipse understandable proclamation; interpretation transforms an otherwise private phenomenon into corporate blessing.

Hermeneutical Implications

1. Unity of Scripture: Jesus’ use of διερμηνεύω affirms that the Law, Prophets, and Writings converge on His person and work.
2. Necessity of Explanation: The biblical pattern resists esoteric religion. Truth is meant to be explained, whether through teaching, preaching, or translation.
3. Authority and Sufficiency: Interpretation operates in service to the text, not over it. The interpreter clarifies what God has already spoken, reinforcing both the authority and the clarity of Scripture.

Historical Trajectory

The first-century church inherited the Septuagint, regularly translated Aramaic idioms, and soon rendered apostolic writings into Latin, Coptic, and Syriac. The biblical mandate for interpretation provided theological impetus for this missionary labor, ensuring that every tongue could hear “the mighty deeds of God.”

Pastoral and Missional Applications

• Expository Preaching: Faithful preaching mirrors Jesus’ Emmaus exposition—explaining, connecting, and applying the whole counsel of God.
• Bible Translation: Modern translation work continues the Acts 9:36 impulse, enabling disciples in every language to read Scripture for themselves.
• Order in Public Worship: 1 Corinthians 14 establishes a template for balancing freedom and structure, experience and understanding.
• Spiritual Discernment: Congregations are to test interpretations, recognizing that genuine διερμηνεύω will align with apostolic doctrine and promote edification.

Conclusion

Wherever διερμηνεύω appears, it signals God’s commitment to be understood. From Christ’s post-resurrection lesson to the orderly use of gifts in Corinth, the Spirit ensures that revelation is not locked behind linguistic or conceptual barriers. The church, therefore, is called to steward this ministry of interpretation so that “the word of Christ may dwell in you richly” and the nations may hear the gospel in their own heart language.

διερμηνεύει διερμηνευετω διερμηνευέτω διερμηνευη διερμηνεύη διερμηνεύῃ διερμηνευομενη διερμηνευομένη διερμηνευουσιν διερμηνεύουσιν διερμηνευσεν διερμήνευσεν διηρμήνευεν diermeneue diermēneuē diermeneúei diermēneúēi diermeneueto diermeneuéto diermēneuetō diermēneuétō diermeneuomene diermeneuoméne diermēneuomenē diermēneuoménē diermeneuousin diermeneúousin diermēneuousin diermēneúousin diermeneusen diermēneusen diermḗneusenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts