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μέρος

méros

G3313 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A part, segment, or portion of a whole; aspect or element of something; a share or allotment assigned or belonging to someone; can refer both to material and abstract entities. The primary sense is an individual section or division of a larger unit, but can also denote a portion assigned, a side or aspect in argument, or a role undertaken.

Semantic Range

part, piece, section, segment; portion, share, allotment; aspect, respect, matter; side (of an argument or dispute); region, district

Root / Etymology

Derived from Greek root μερ- (to divide, to portion out), related to the verb μερίζω (to divide, distribute). The word itself traces to early Greek usage meaning 'part' or 'share.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μέρος typically denotes 'a part' as a portion of a whole, whether spatial, numerical, or abstract. The term can refer to anything from a geographic region (e.g., a district or section of land) to a part of a physical object, or to an aspect or kind in abstract argument. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, μέρος maintains this range: for instance, it can mean 'share' as one's portion of an inheritance (Luke 15:12), 'part' of a body or structure, or a 'side' or 'aspect' of a situation. Sometimes used in plural (μέρη) for 'regions' or multiple components. English translations like 'part,' 'portion,' or 'share' often suffice but may not capture idiomatic uses where the word denotes one's role, aspect, or respect (in the sense of 'in this respect'). The semantic field overlaps with μοῖρα ('fate, allotment') but μέρος is more neutral and less associated with destiny or divine lot. The word does not, especially in pre-modern contexts, imply modern legalistic or highly specialized division, but rather a natural or assigned portion of a totality. The semantic flexibility allows μέρος to function both literally (a physical piece) and figuratively (a role or aspect).

Translation Consistency

primary "part" 40 occurrences

Méros primarily denotes a section or division of a whole, and 'part' is the most natural, flexible English equivalent that covers both concrete and abstract senses (portion, share, side, aspect, region). It is concise, widely used across contexts, and easily inflected to match number and possession while keeping consistent wording across all forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"side" (1x) "trade" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an obsolete but more primary form of (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application):--behalf, course, coast, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort(-what).

Root Family

μέρος (meros) — part, portion, share, allotment, segment

Root μερ- to divide, to portion out, to allot

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3313-03 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part 16
G3313-04 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part 12
G3313-01 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts 11
G3313-02 μέρει merei N DAT N SG respect to a portion to a part 3

Occurrences in Scripture

42 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3313-01 Matthew 2:22 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-01 Matthew 15:21 μέρη mere N ACC N PL district portions parts
G3313-01 Matthew 16:13 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts/regions portions parts
G3313-03 Matthew 24:51 μέρος meros N ACC N SG portion a portion a part
G3313-01 Mark 8:10 μέρη mere N ACC N PL regions portions parts
G3313-03 Luke 11:36 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part
G3313-03 Luke 12:46 μέρος meros N ACC N SG portion a portion a part
G3313-03 Luke 15:12 μέρος meros N ACC N SG portion a portion a part
G3313-03 Luke 24:42 μέρος meros N ACC N SG a piece a portion a part
G3313-03 John 13:8 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part
G3313-01 John 19:23 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-03 John 19:23 μέρος meros N ACC N SG a part a portion a part
G3313-01 John 21:6 μέρη mere N ACC N PL sides portions side
G3313-01 Acts 2:10 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-03 Acts 5:2 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part
G3313-01 Acts 19:1 μέρη mere N ACC N PL regions portions parts
G3313-03 Acts 19:27 μέρος meros N ACC N SG trade a portion trade
G3313-01 Acts 20:2 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-03 Acts 23:6 μέρος meros N NOM N SG part a portion a part
G3313-04 Acts 23:9 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 Romans 11:25 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 Romans 15:15 μέρους merous N GEN N SG in part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 Romans 15:24 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-03 1 Corinthians 11:18 μέρος meros N ACC N SG partly a portion a part
G3313-04 1 Corinthians 12:27 μέρους merous N GEN N SG it of a portion of a part
G3313-04 1 Corinthians 13:9 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 1 Corinthians 13:9 μέρους merous-2 N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 1 Corinthians 13:10 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 1 Corinthians 13:12 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-03 1 Corinthians 14:27 μέρος meros N ACC N SG turn a portion a part
G3313-04 2 Corinthians 1:14 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-04 2 Corinthians 2:5 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-02 2 Corinthians 3:10 μέρει merei N DAT N SG case to a portion to a part
G3313-02 2 Corinthians 9:3 μέρει merei N DAT N SG respect to a portion to a part
G3313-01 Ephesians 4:9 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-04 Ephesians 4:16 μέρους merous N GEN N SG part of a portion of a part
G3313-02 Colossians 2:16 μέρει merei N DAT N SG respect to a portion a part
G3313-03 Hebrews 9:5 μέρος meros N ACC N SG detail a portion a part
G3313-01 Revelation 16:19 μέρη mere N ACC N PL parts portions parts
G3313-03 Revelation 20:6 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part
G3313-03 Revelation 21:8 μέρος meros N NOM N SG portion a portion a part
G3313-03 Revelation 22:19 μέρος meros N ACC N SG part a portion a part
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