διαμερίζω (G1266) — Greek Lexicon

διαμερίζω

diamerízō

G1266 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To divide, to separate into parts, to distribute distinct portions; in some contexts, to cause division or dissension among people or groups. The core meaning involves making a whole into distinct, separate pieces, whether with physical objects, lands, inheritances, or abstract groups. Extended senses include the act of causing division or dissension within communities or assemblies, especially in social, emotional, or spiritual contexts.

Semantic Range

to divide thoroughly, to split apart, to distribute (goods, portions), to cause separation among people, to create dissension, to apportion, to be divided

Root / Etymology

From διά (through, across) and μερίζω (to divide, apportion). The verb expresses intensified or thorough division due to the prefix διά-. Related nouns include μερίς (a part, portion) and διαμερισμός (division, distribution).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, διαμερίζω is used with both concrete (e.g. dividing land or spoils) and abstract objects (e.g. dividing responsibilities or opinions). In the LXX, it often translates Hebrew roots meaning to divide or apportion, such as חלק (ḥlq) or פלג (plg). In the New Testament, the verb appears both in literal senses—such as physical division of garments (Luke 23:34)—and in figurative senses, such as the division of groups or communities (Luke 12:52-53). The word can denote both neutral/apportioning division and negative, even hostile, disruption. English translations often narrow it to 'divide' or 'part,' but the term can encompass profound ruptures or schisms, especially in social settings. The intensity implied by the compound prefix usually denotes a more marked or complete separation than simple μερίζω. Related terms like διαμερισμός (division, dissension) reflect this semantic family.

Translation Consistency

primary "divide" 11 occurrences

'Divide' is the most natural, common English verb that captures the primary sense of διαμερίζω — to split a whole into parts, apportion or distribute portions, and (by extension) to cause separation or dissension. The majority of existing renderings use 'divided,' and 'divide' easily inflects to cover both physical/distributive and social/divisive contexts, whereas alternatives like 'distribute' are narrower.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from διά and μερίζω; to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension):--cloven, divide, part.

Root Family

διά, μερίζω (diamerízō) — to divide, to apportion, to distribute

Root διά, μερίζω to divide, to apportion, to distribute

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1266-08`	διεμερίσαντο	diemerisanto	`V AOR MID IND 3P PL`	they divided	they divided among themselves	they divided among themselves	2
`G1266-01`	διαμεμερισμένοι	diamemerismenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	divided	having been divided	having been divided	1
`G1266-02`	διαμερίσατε	diamerisate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	divide	Divide up!	Divide up	1
`G1266-03`	διαμερισθεῖσα	diameristheisa	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	divided	having been divided apart	having been divided	1
`G1266-04`	διαμερισθήσονται	diameristhesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	they will be divided	they will be divided apart	they will be divided	1
`G1266-05`	διαμεριζόμεναι	diamerizomenai	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM F PL`	dividing	being divided	being divided	1
`G1266-06`	διαμεριζόμενοι	diamerizomenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	dividing	dividing themselves	dividing	1
`G1266-07`	διαμερίζονται	diamerizontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	they divided	they are being divided	they divided	1
`G1266-09`	διεμερίσθη	diemeristhe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	is divided	was thoroughly divided	was divided	1
`G1266-10`	διεμέριζον	diemerizon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they were distributing	they were dividing up	they were dividing up	1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1266-08`	Matthew 27:35	διεμερίσαντο	diemerisanto	`V AOR MID IND 3P PL`	they divided	they divided among themselves	they divided among themselves
`G1266-07`	Mark 15:24	διαμερίζονται	diamerizontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	they divided	they are being divided	they divided
`G1266-03`	Luke 11:17	διαμερισθεῖσα	diameristheisa	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	divided	having been divided apart	having been divided
`G1266-09`	Luke 11:18	διεμερίσθη	diemeristhe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	is divided	was thoroughly divided	was divided
`G1266-01`	Luke 12:52	διαμεμερισμένοι	diamemerismenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	divided	having been divided	having been divided
`G1266-04`	Luke 12:53	διαμερισθήσονται	diameristhesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	they will be divided	they will be divided apart	they will be divided
`G1266-02`	Luke 22:17	διαμερίσατε	diamerisate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	divide	Divide up!	Divide up
`G1266-06`	Luke 23:34	διαμεριζόμενοι	diamerizomenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	dividing	dividing themselves	dividing
`G1266-08`	John 19:24	διεμερίσαντο	diemerisanto	`V AOR MID IND 3P PL`	They divided	they divided among themselves	they divided among themselves
`G1266-05`	Acts 2:3	διαμεριζόμεναι	diamerizomenai	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM F PL`	dividing	being divided	being divided
`G1266-10`	Acts 2:45	διεμέριζον	diemerizon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they were distributing	they were dividing up	they were dividing up

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