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μερίς

merís

G3310 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A portion or part; typically denotes a segment, allotment, or share of a whole. The term can signify a specific portion assigned or received, such as territory, inheritance, or responsibility, and by extension, can mean participation or involvement in something (e.g., a share in suffering, joy, work). In more abstract contexts, it can refer to one's part or role in a collective experience or event.

Semantic Range

portion, part, share, allotment of territory, inheritance, role or function, participation, share in a collective experience or destiny

Root / Etymology

From the root μερ- meaning 'to divide' or 'part.' μερίς is the feminine noun derived from μέρος ('part, division, share'), signifying the result of apportioning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μερίς primarily refers to a part or portion, especially an allotment assigned by lot or status. In the Septuagint, the term frequently renders Hebrew חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, 'portion, lot'), used for portions of land, tribal territories, or inheritance within Israelite society. In the New Testament and other Koine sources, μερίς retains the sense of a distinct share (e.g., Acts 8:21, 'no part or share in this matter'), and extends to abstract notions of participation (e.g., Colossians 1:12, 'share in the inheritance'). English translations often render μερίς as 'part,' 'portion,' or 'share;' however, they may obscure the term’s potential for conveying both physical and abstract apportionment. The concept is distinct from κλῆρος, which can emphasize a 'lot' as determined by chance or divine will, whereas μερίς focuses more on the resulting portion or allocation itself.

Translation Consistency

primary "part" 2 occurrences

Part is the simplest, most natural English word that covers the full semantic range of μερίς — a segment or allotment (territory, inheritance), a share or portion, and one’s role or participation (a part in suffering, a part in the work). It is more broadly applicable and less formal/archaic than “portion” and more general than “share,” making it the best consistent base term for all forms of this lemma.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"share" (2x) "district" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of μέρος; a portion, i.e. province, share or (abstractly) participation:--part (X -akers).

Root Family

μερίς (meris) — portion, share, allotment, participation

Root μερ- to divide, allocate, distribute

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3310-01 μερίδα merida N ACC F SG part a portion a part 2
G3310-03 μερὶς meris N NOM F SG part a share a share 2
G3310-02 μερίδος meridos N GEN F SG part of a share district 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3310-01 Luke 10:42 μερίδα merida N ACC F SG part a portion a part
G3310-03 Acts 8:21 μερὶς meris N NOM F SG part a share a share
G3310-02 Acts 16:12 μερίδος meridos N GEN F SG part of a share district
G3310-03 2 Corinthians 6:15 μερὶς meris N NOM F SG portion a share a share
G3310-01 Colossians 1:12 μερίδα merida N ACC F SG portion a portion a part
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