διερωτάω

Pronunciation Guide: dee-er-oh-TAH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1331: Διερωτάω (dierotaō) fundamentally means “to inquire through” or “to ask thoroughly.” This compound verb suggests a deliberate process of detailed investigation where one persists in questioning until obtaining full understanding. It implies not merely asking a single question, but conducting a thorough inquiry with determination to reach clarity or resolution.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + ἐρωτάω (erōtaō, “to ask, inquire”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in Acts where detailed investigation occurs
• Rarity: Appears only once in the New Testament (Acts 10:17)
• Voice/Mood: Middle/Passive voice, indicating personal involvement in the questioning process

Διερωτάω Morphology:

• διερωτάω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I inquire thoroughly
• διερωτᾷς (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you inquire thoroughly
• διερωτᾷ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it inquires thoroughly
• διερωτῶντες (present active participle, nominative plural masculine) – thoroughly inquiring ones
• διηρώτησαν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they inquired thoroughly

Origin & History

The verb διερωτάω represents a specialized intensification of the more common ἐρωτάω (erōtaō), which appears frequently in classical Greek literature. The addition of the prefix διά (dia) transforms the simple act of questioning into a process of thorough investigation. In classical Greek, particularly in the works of Herodotus, similar compound verbs with the διά prefix often indicated persistence and thoroughness in action.

While rare in biblical literature, this word aligns with the Hellenistic interest in detailed inquiry found in Greek philosophical traditions. The Septuagint translators did not employ this particular compound, preferring simpler forms of questioning verbs, suggesting that διερωτάω may have developed later in the Koine period as a specialized term for meticulous investigation. By the time of Luke’s writing of Acts, it served as a precise way to describe the detailed inquiries conducted by Cornelius’ messengers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A thorough and persistent questioning process aimed at obtaining complete information
• An investigation conducted by asking sequential, related questions to establish facts
• The act of making detailed inquiries that penetrate beyond surface-level understanding
• A deliberate process of seeking clarification through questioning multiple sources

Διερωτάω Translation Options:

• Inquire thoroughly – Emphasizes the completeness of the investigation, highlighting how the διά prefix intensifies the basic verb
• Ask repeatedly – Focuses on the persistent nature of the questioning, suggesting multiple inquiries until the answer is found
• Make detailed inquiry – Captures the methodical, exhaustive nature of the questioning process
• Investigate by questioning – Reflects both the investigative purpose and the questioning method
• Seek information diligently – Emphasizes the earnestness and determination behind the questioning

Biblical Usage

Διερωτάω appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 10:17, where it describes the actions of Cornelius’ messengers seeking Peter’s whereabouts. This singular usage occurs at a pivotal moment in Acts, where God is orchestrating the inclusion of Gentiles into the community of believers. The thorough questioning performed by these messengers represents not merely a practical search for directions, but becomes part of יהוה (Yahweh)’s sovereign plan to expand His kingdom beyond Jewish boundaries.

The context surrounding this word is significant—it appears precisely when Peter is pondering his vision of clean and unclean animals, which challenged his Jewish understanding of purity laws. The thorough inquiries (διερωτῶντες) of the Gentile messengers coincide with Peter’s spiritual questioning, creating a divine intersection of human seeking and divine revelation.

• “Now while Peter was greatly perplexed [διηπόρει] in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry [διερωτήσαντες] for Simon’s house, stood before the gate.” Acts 10:17

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Roman world, the process of finding a specific person in an unfamiliar city would require methodical investigation. Without modern addresses or communication systems, finding someone like Peter would necessitate a series of inquiries—asking at the city gate, questioning locals about the tanner’s district, and finally locating Simon’s specific house. The use of διερωτάω perfectly captures this progressive, thorough investigation process that would have been familiar to Luke’s readers.

Furthermore, the cultural context of a Roman centurion (Cornelius) sending messengers to find a Jewish teacher adds another layer of significance. These worlds rarely intersected positively, and such a deliberate, thorough inquiry (διερωτάω) across cultural boundaries represented a dramatic break from social norms. The messengers’ persistent questioning mirrors Cornelius’ spiritual seeking—both actions demonstrating uncommon determination to find answers regardless of social barriers. This thorough investigation becomes symbolic of the spiritual seeking that leads to divine truth.

Theological Significance

The appearance of διερωτάω at this pivotal juncture in Acts carries profound theological significance. The thorough questioning process of Cornelius’ messengers parallels the larger spiritual inquiry that drives the narrative—how does God’s salvation plan extend to the Gentiles? The detailed human investigation (διερωτάω) becomes a microcosm of the divine revealing process, where persistent questioning leads to transformative truth.

This single occurrence of διερωτάω illustrates how God honors diligent seeking. Cornelius, described as “devout” and “God-fearing,” represents those who earnestly search for truth. His messengers’ thorough questioning (διερωτάω) becomes the physical manifestation of spiritual seeking that God rewards with revelation. The Messiah Jesus taught that those who seek will find (Matthew 7:7), and διερωτάω captures the persistent, thorough nature of seeking that leads to divine answers.

Additionally, this word appears precisely when human questioning intersects with divine revelation—while Peter questions his vision, the messengers question their way to his door. This divine synchronicity demonstrates יהוה (Yahweh)’s sovereignty in orchestrating human inquiry to fulfill His redemptive purposes, showing how our questions, when thoroughly pursued, can lead us to encounters with God’s truth.

Personal Application

When we face uncertainty in our spiritual journey, διερωτάω offers a model for seeking understanding. Rather than settling for superficial answers or giving up when clarity doesn’t come immediately, this word encourages us to inquire thoroughly, persistently asking questions until we reach understanding. Just as Cornelius’ messengers didn’t stop at the city gates but persisted until finding Peter, we too must maintain determination in our spiritual seeking.

This process of thorough questioning also applies to our study of Scripture. Rather than skimming passages or accepting simplified interpretations, διερωτάω invites us to investigate thoroughly—examining context, language, and cultural background until we grasp the fuller meaning. When we approach God’s Word with this level of diligent inquiry, we position ourselves to receive deeper revelation, just as the thorough questioning of Cornelius’ messengers led to a divine appointment that transformed the early church.

Related Words

• ἐρωτάω (erōtaō) [er-oh-TAH-oh] – The simpler form meaning “to ask or question,” lacking the intensity and thoroughness implied by διερωτάω. Where διερωτάω suggests a complete investigation, ἐρωτάω indicates a more basic form of questioning. See G2065
• πυνθάνομαι (punthanomai) [poon-THAN-om-ahee] – Means “to inquire, learn by inquiry.” While similar to διερωτάω in suggesting investigation, πυνθάνομαι emphasizes learning or gaining information through questioning rather than the thoroughness of the questioning process itself. See G4441
• ἐπερωτάω (eperōtaō) [ep-er-oh-TAH-oh] – Means “to inquire of, question, interrogate.” The prefix ἐπί (epi) gives a sense of directing a question toward someone specifically, whereas διερωτάω emphasizes the thoroughness of the questioning process. See G1905
• ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) [an-ak-REE-no] – Means “to examine, investigate, scrutinize.” While διερωτάω focuses on thorough questioning, ἀνακρίνω emphasizes judicial examination and scrutiny, often in legal contexts. See G350
• διαγινώσκω (diaginōskō) [dee-ag-in-OHS-ko] – Means “to distinguish, discern thoroughly, determine.” While not a questioning word, it shares the διά prefix indicating thoroughness, but applies to the process of discernment rather than inquiry. See G1231

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the thorough investigation process described by διερωτάω in Acts 10:17 occurs at precisely the moment when the gospel was about to cross its most significant cultural boundary—from Jews to Gentiles? This thorough questioning becomes the bridge connecting two worlds that had been separated for centuries, demonstrating how diligent inquiry can lead to revolutionary spiritual breakthroughs. The messengers’ persistent questioning led them to the very doorstep of divine revelation, showing how human seeking and divine purpose often intersect.
• Did you know that the prefix διά in διερωτάω carries the sense of “through” or “thoroughly,” suggesting a question that penetrates beyond the surface? In medical contexts of the ancient world, this same prefix was used for diagnostic procedures that looked “through” or “into” the body to determine illness. Similarly, διερωτάω suggests an inquiry that penetrates beyond initial answers to reach complete understanding—a spiritual diagnostic process that reveals deeper truth.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, derivatives of διερωτάω are still used to describe scientific inquiry and investigative journalism? The concept of thorough, persistent questioning remains embedded in these contemporary usages, demonstrating the enduring value of methodical investigation. When Scripture employs this word, it elevates the concept of questioning from mere curiosity to a sacred process of discovery that can lead to divine revelation, suggesting that asking thorough questions is not a sign of doubt but a pathway to deeper faith.

Remember This

Διερωτάω teaches us that spiritual transformation often begins with thorough questioning—not random inquiry, but persistent, methodical seeking that refuses to stop until truth is found.

Part of speech: Verb

investigation, questioning, seeking, inquiry, divine appointment, persistence, Gentile inclusion, revelation, spiritual journey, divine timing, cultural barriers, spiritual seeking