Diatheke
/ˌdaɪ.əˈθiː.kiː/noun
A formal disposition, especially a testament or covenant.
Did you know?The Greek word διαθήκη became central to Christian vocabulary through the “Old Testament” and “New Testament,” whose Greek names literally use this term for a covenant or testament.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“To put, place, or set”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τίθημι (tithēmi)
“I put, place, or establish”
Classical Greek
Greek
διαθήκη (diathēkē)
“A disposition or arrangement; especially a testament or covenant”
3rd Century BCE–2nd Century CE
Koine Greek
διαθήκη (diathēkē)
“A covenant or testament, notably in the Greek Jewish and Christian scriptures”
Late Antiquity
Latin
diathēca
“A testament or covenant, borrowed from Greek”
Modern English
English
diatheke
“A formal disposition, testament, or covenant”