Lexical Definition

‎διώκω‎ diṓkō (dee-o'-ko) to pursue ^G:V
a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb (to flee

ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.

• compare the base of ‎δειλός‎ and ‎διάκονος‎)
• to pursue (literally or figuratively)
• by implication, to persecute

Abbott-Smith

διώκω [in LXX chiefly for רדף ;]
1. to put to flight, drive away: Mt 23:34.
2. to pursue;
(a) of persons; c. acc, without hostility, to follow after: Lk 17:23; with hostile purpose: Ac 26:11, Re 12:13. Hence, to persecute: Mt 5:10-12, 44 10:23, Lk 11:49 21:12, Jo 5:16 15:20, Ac 7:52 9:4, 5 22:4, 7, 8 26:14, 15, Ro 12:14, I Co 4:12 15:9, II Co 4:9, Ga 1:13, 23 4:29 5:11 6:12, Phl 3:6, II Ti 3:12;
(b) metaph., c. acc rei, of seeking eagerly after: Ro 9:30, I Ti 6:11, II Ti 2:22; νόμον δικαιοσύνης, Ro 9:31; τ. φιλοξενίαν, Ro 12:13; εἰρήνην, He 12:14, I Pe 3:11; τὰ τῆς εἰ., Ro 14:19; τ. ἀγάπην, I Co 14:1; τὸ ἀγαθόν, I Th 5:15; absol., to follow on, drive, or speed on (Æsch.), Phl 3:12, 14.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

διώκω,

Epic dialect infinitive διωκέμεναι, -έμεν (see. below): future -ξω[Refs 7th c.BC+]aorist ἐδίωξα: aorist 2 ἐδιώκαθον (see. διωκάθω): perfect δεδίωχα [Refs 4th c.BC+] —middle (see. below):—passive, future διωχθήσομαι [Refs 1st c.BC+]; but διώξομαι in passive sense, [LXX+1st c.BC+]: aorist ἐδιώχθην [Refs 5th c.BC+]: perfect δεδίωγμαι [NT]; see at {δίω}):—cause to run, set in quick motion, opposed to φεύγω:

__1 pursue, chase, in war or hunting, φεύγοντα διώκειν [Refs 8th c.BC+] —middle, διώκεσθαί τινα πεδίοιο, δόμοιο, chase one over or across.., [Refs 8th c.BC+]
__1.b with accusative person, of a lover, [Refs 7th c.BC+] [same place]; follow, [NT+5th c.BC+]
__2 pursue an object, seek after, ἀκίχητα διώκειν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἡδονήν, τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ καλόν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀλήθειαν[NT+4th c.BC+]; of plants, δ. τοὺς ξηροὺς τόπους seek them, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; δ. τὰ συμβάντα or τὸ συμβαῖνον follow or wait for the event, [Refs 4th c.BC+]:—middle, διώκεσθαι τὸ πλέον ἔχειν [Refs 1st c.BC+]; μοῖρα διωξαμένη [αὐτούς] [Refs]
__3 pursue an argument, τὴν ἐναντίωσιν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; also, describe, ὕμνῳ ἀρετάς [Refs 5th c.BC+]; recite, λόγον [Refs]
__II drive or chase away, διώκω οὔτιν᾽ ἔγωγε I don't force any one away, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; banish, [Refs].έ: metaphorically, διώκεις μ᾽ ᾗ μάλιστ᾽ ἐγὼ σφάλην you push or press me.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III of the wind, drive a ship, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of rowers, impel, speed on her way, ῥίμφα διώκοντες (i.e. τὴν νῆα)[Refs]; Συριηγενὲς ἅρμα διώκων driving it, Oracle texts cited in [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.2 seemingly intransitive, drive, drive on, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; gallop, run, etc., uncertain in [Refs 5th c.BC+]on the march, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__III.3 urge, impel, βέλος χερί [Refs 5th c.BC+]; especially of music, δ. μοῦσαν Pratin.[Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς διώκομαι.. σὺν τάχει μολεῖν [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.4 of work, urge on, carry forward, σκαφήτρους [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__III.5 perfect participle passive δεδιωγμένος hurried, rapid, σφυγμοί [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__IV as law-term, prosecute, ὁ διώκων the prosecutor, opposed to ὁ φεύγων, the defendant, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὁ διώκων τοῦ ψηφίσματος τὸ λέγειν.., he who impeaches the clause in the decree.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]indict, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with genitive criminis, accuse of.., prosecute for.., δ. τινὰ τυραννίδος [Refs 5th c.BC+]; φόνον τινὸς δ. avenge another's murder, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δίκην δ. pursue one's rights at law, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with accusative et infinitive, accuse one of doing, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]:—passive, ὁ διωκόμενος [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__V persecute, [NT]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Amos.2.16 ☩ Matt.5.10 ☩ Luke.17.23 ☩ Rom.9.30 ☩ Phil.3.14 ☩ John.5.16 ☩ Matt.5.10}