διαφυλάσσω

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-foo-LAH-soh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1314: διαφυλάσσω (diaphylassō) conveys the concept of thoroughly guarding, protecting completely, or preserving with vigilance. It expresses a comprehensive protection that extends through all circumstances and dangers. The term implies not just a momentary action but a continuous, thorough safeguarding that encompasses every aspect of what is being protected.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of διά (dia, “through” or “thoroughly”) + φυλάσσω (phylassō, “to guard” or “keep watch”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, promises of divine protection, contexts involving spiritual warfare or divine preservation

διαφυλάσσω Morphology:

• διαφυλάξω (diaphylaxō) – future active indicative – “I will thoroughly protect”
• διαφυλάξεις (diaphylaxeis) – future active indicative, 2nd person singular – “you will thoroughly protect”
• διαφυλάξαι (diaphylaxai) – aorist active infinitive – “to thoroughly protect”
• διαφυλάσσειν (diaphylassein) – present active infinitive – “to be thoroughly protecting”
• διαφυλάσσεται (diaphylassetai) – present passive indicative, 3rd person singular – “he/she/it is being thoroughly protected”

Origin & History

The term διαφυλάσσω has ancient roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe the thorough guarding of cities, borders, or valuable possessions. Xenophon employs this verb in his “Cyropaedia” (5.3.42) when describing how Cyrus protected his camp with vigilant guards. The compound structure with the prefix διά intensifies the base verb φυλάσσω, emphasizing the thoroughness of the protection.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διαφυλάσσω appears frequently in contexts of divine protection, particularly in the Psalms where the Psalmist appeals to God for comprehensive safeguarding. For example, in Psalm 40:11 (LXX 39:12), the Psalmist appeals to God to “preserve” (διαφυλάξαις) him completely. The early church fathers, including John Chrysostom in his homilies, adopted this term to describe God’s protective care over believers, emphasizing the comprehensive and continual nature of divine protection that extends through all circumstances.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Thorough protection from potential harm or danger, implying vigilance and attentiveness
• Complete preservation of something in its original state, often in the context of spiritual or physical integrity
• Careful guardianship that extends through all circumstances and challenges
• Watchful care that prevents loss or damage to something valuable

διαφυλάσσω Translation Options:

• Thoroughly protect – Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the protection, capturing the force of the διά prefix
• Preserve completely – Highlights the aspect of maintaining something in its original or desired state
• Guard vigilantly – Focuses on the attentiveness and watchfulness implied in the term
• Safeguard through and through – Conveys the idea of protection that extends through all circumstances and dangers
• Keep intact – Emphasizes the preservation aspect, particularly appropriate in contexts of spiritual integrity

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διαφυλάσσω appears only once, in Luke 4:10, where Satan quotes Psalm 91:11 during the temptation of Jesus: “For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard [διαφυλάξαι] you.’” This singular usage is significant because it occurs in the context of spiritual warfare, highlighting the comprehensive protection God provides for His people, even as Satan attempts to distort this truth.

While rare in the New Testament, διαφυλάσσω appears more frequently in the Septuagint, where it consistently conveys God’s thorough protection of His people. The term is particularly significant in the Psalms and prophetic literature, where it portrays God’s covenant commitment to preserve Israel through trials and challenges. This usage establishes a theological framework for understanding divine protection as comprehensive and continual rather than merely circumstantial.

• “For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard [διαφυλάξαι] you.’” Luke 4:10
• “May Your mercy and Your truth continually preserve [διαφυλάξαισάν] me.” Psalm 40:11 (LXX 39:12)
• “The Lord shall preserve [διαφυλάξαι] your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:8 (LXX 120:8)
• “The Lord preserves [διαφυλάσσει] all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” Psalm 145:20 (LXX 144:20)
• “The Lord preserves [διαφυλάσσει] the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” Psalm 116:6 (LXX 114:6)
• “My son, do not let them depart from your eyes; keep [διαφύλαξον] sound wisdom and discretion.” Proverbs 3:21 (LXX)
• “And Moses kept [διεφύλαξεν] the sheep of Jethro his father-in-law.” Exodus 3:1 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, protection was often associated with the responsibilities of kingship. A good king was expected to provide comprehensive protection for his subjects, particularly against external threats. The concept of διαφυλάσσω aligns with this royal responsibility, portraying God as the ultimate King who provides thorough protection for His people. This royal protection imagery would have been immediately recognizable to the original audience of both the Septuagint and the New Testament.

The Jewish understanding of divine protection was intricately connected to covenant relationship. When God promises to διαφυλάσσω His people, it is not merely a functional protection but a relational commitment. This protection was seen as flowing from God’s covenant faithfulness (חֶסֶד, chesed) rather than being merely transactional. The Hebrew concept that underlies διαφυλάσσω in the Septuagint is שָׁמַר (shamar), which carries connotations of watchful care and covenant fidelity. This cultural context enriches our understanding of the term as not just thorough protection but protection that flows from divine covenant commitment.

Theological Significance

The concept of διαφυλάσσω reveals profound theological truths about God’s character and His relationship with His people. It demonstrates that God’s protection is not merely circumstantial or occasional but comprehensive and continual. This thoroughness reflects God’s perfect nature—He does not provide partial or incomplete protection but guards His people “through and through.” This comprehensive protection is an expression of God’s omnipotence and omnipresence; He is able to protect in all circumstances and is present in every situation to provide that protection.

Significantly, διαφυλάσσω appears in Luke 4:10 during Satan’s temptation of Jesus, where the enemy misuses Scripture to tempt the Messiah. This context reveals that God’s promise to thoroughly protect does not imply that believers should test God or act presumptuously. Rather, true divine protection operates within the context of covenant obedience and trust. The Messiah Jesus demonstrated this proper understanding by refusing to test God’s protection through presumptuous actions. This theological nuance helps believers understand that God’s thorough protection (διαφυλάσσω) is not a license for recklessness but a comfort for those walking in covenant faithfulness.

Personal Application

Understanding διαφυλάσσω can transform our approach to life’s challenges and dangers. When we grasp that God’s protection is thorough and extends through all circumstances, we can face difficulties with confidence rather than fear. This doesn’t mean we will never encounter hardship, but it assures us that even in the midst of trials, God’s protective care surrounds us completely. His protection may not always look like immediate deliverance, but it always ensures that nothing can separate us from His love or ultimately harm our souls.

This concept invites us to align ourselves with God’s protective purposes rather than testing them. Like the Messiah in the wilderness, we are called to trust God’s protection without presuming upon it. Practical application includes daily placing ourselves under God’s comprehensive care through prayer, avoiding unnecessary risks that would test God’s protection, and trusting His preserving power even when circumstances seem threatening. When we live in this confidence, we experience the peace that comes from knowing we are thoroughly protected by the One who guards us through every circumstance.

Related Words

• φυλάσσω (phylassō, “to guard”) – The root verb from which διαφυλάσσω is derived, lacking the intensive force of the διά prefix. It refers to the basic act of guarding or keeping watch but without the emphasis on thoroughness. See G5442
• τηρέω (tēreō, “to keep, observe”) – While similar in meaning to διαφυλάσσω, this term emphasizes observation and obedience rather than protective guarding. It often appears in contexts of keeping commandments or preserving spiritual truths. See G5083
• φρουρέω (phroureo, “to guard with a military watch”) – This term carries military connotations of guarding a city or position with sentries. It appears in contexts of God’s protection of believers’ hearts and minds. See G5432
• συντηρέω (syntēreō, “to preserve together”) – This compound term emphasizes keeping something safe by preserving all its parts together, often used of treasuring or pondering things in one’s heart. See G4933
• περιποιέω (peripoieō, “to preserve for oneself”) – This term conveys the idea of acquiring or preserving something as one’s own possession, often used in contexts of salvation or preservation of life. See G4046

Did you Know?

• The compound structure of διαφυλάσσω (διά + φυλάσσω) creates a word picture of protection that extends “through” (διά) every circumstance, illustrating God’s comprehensive care that leaves no aspect of our lives unguarded. This thoroughness is precisely what Satan attempted to distort in his temptation of Jesus, suggesting that this protection would prevent any harm regardless of one’s actions.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of διαφυλάσσω are still used in governmental and legal contexts to describe the preservation of cultural heritage, conservation of natural resources, and protection of citizens’ rights. This contemporary usage preserves the ancient connotation of comprehensive and vigilant protection of what is valuable.
• The single New Testament occurrence of διαφυλάσσω in Luke 4:10 is actually a quotation from Psalm 91:11 in the Septuagint, creating a fascinating intertextual connection. This psalm, known as the “Soldier’s Psalm,” was traditionally recited by Jewish warriors before battle for divine protection. The irony of Satan quoting this psalm of protection to the Messiah reveals the enemy’s distortion of scripture for his own purposes—a tactic he continues to use against believers today.

Remember This

Διαφυλάσσω reveals that God’s protection is never partial or incomplete—it is a thorough, vigilant preservation that extends through every circumstance, guarding us completely in body, soul, and spirit as we walk in covenant relationship with Him.