BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Didomi (G1325) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Didomi (G1325) is the standard Greek verb 'to give,' used in a remarkably broad range of literal and figurative contexts throughout the New Testament.
Meaning of the word
Didomi is one of the most frequent and versatile Greek verbs for 'to give.' The lexicon defines it as applying 'in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively,' with meaning shaped heavily by its grammatical context. It covers simple physical transfer (handing an object to someone), granting permission or rights, bestowing gifts, and divine giving of grace, authority, or life.
The verb appears in many forms across the New Testament: the aorist imperative δός ('give!' in Matthew 5:42 and 6:11), the future passive δοθήσεται ('it shall be given' in Matthew 7:7), and the common indicative ἔδωκεν ('he gave' in John 1:12 and 3:16). The present infinitive διδόναι shows ongoing or habitual giving, as in Matthew 7:11 describing a father's giving of good gifts to his children.
Usage in Scripture
In the Gospels, didomi appears in everyday teaching about generosity, prayer, and trust. Jesus commands open-handed giving to those who ask (Matthew 5:42), teaches disciples to ask their Father for daily bread (Matthew 6:11), and contrasts human giving with the Father's perfect gifts (Matthew 7:11). These uses emphasize the simple act of handing something over to another.
The verb carries its greatest theological weight in John, where it describes God's saving action. John 1:12 says Christ 'gave' (ἔδωκεν) the right to become children of God to those who believe; John 3:16 declares that God 'gave' (ἔδωκεν) his only Son. In John 3:27, John the Baptist grounds all ministry in the truth that 'nothing can be received unless it has been given from heaven' (δεδομένον), framing every spiritual gift as a divine grant rather than a human achievement.
The word in detail
- G1325 Didomi (δίδωμι) is the standard NT verb 'to give,' covering literal handing over, granting of rights, and divine bestowal of grace, gifts, and authority. Its meaning is heavily shaped by grammatical form and context, ranging from simple commands (δός, 'give!') to theologically loaded statements such as John 3:16 (ἔδωκεν, 'he gave').
Example verses
- Matthew 5:42 Didomi in its aorist imperative δός — 'Give to him who asks' — frames giving as a basic, immediate response of the disciple to those in need.
- Matthew 7:11 The present infinitive διδόναι ('giving') depicts giving as a habitual action, used to contrast human fathers with the heavenly Father who gives good gifts.
- John 1:12 Ἔδωκεν ('he gave') — the exalted use of didomi, where Christ grants the right (ἐξουσίαν) to become children of God to those who receive and believe him.
- John 3:16 The most famous use of didomi: God ἔδωκεν ('gave') his only Son, presenting divine giving as the ground of salvation and eternal life.
Common questions
What does didomi (G1325) mean?
Didomi is the common Greek verb 'to give,' used literally for handing over objects, and figuratively for granting rights, authority, gifts, and divine blessings.
Is didomi only used for physical giving?
No. While it covers handing over material things (Matthew 5:42; 7:6), it also describes granting authority (John 1:12) and God's saving gift of his Son (John 3:16).
Why is John 3:16 important for understanding didomi?
It uses ἔδωκεν ('he gave') to frame God's gift of the Son as the foundation of salvation, showing didomi at its highest theological use.