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σχίζω

schízō

G4977 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To split or divide by force; to cause something to separate into parts, either literally (such as tearing or cleaving physical objects) or figuratively (such as producing divisions among people or ideas). The primary lexical sense involves an act of dividing or breaking apart, frequently with emphasis on a resulting fissure, rent, or opening. In figurative contexts, can denote producing disunity or schism within groups.

Semantic Range

to split, to tear, to break open, to rend, to make a rent, to divide (literally or figuratively), to create division or schism

Root / Etymology

Rooted in the Greek σχίζ-, related to σχίσμα ('division, split') and σχιστός ('divided, split'). The verb is not transparently derived from another Greek term and is considered a primary verb with cognates in classical and Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, σχίζω is used for the literal act of splitting or cleaving, such as splitting wood, tearing clothing, or making a physical opening. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word can be applied both concretely (e.g., the tearing of the temple curtain upon Jesus' death in the Gospels) and figuratively (creating division or schism, such as discord among people or groups). The emphasis in both periods is on the suddenness and completeness of the division. English translations often render the term as 'tear,' 'rend,' 'split,' or less commonly 'divide,' but may underplay its active and sometimes violent nuance. Related Greek terms include διαχωρίζω ('to separate'), but σχίζω carries a stronger sense of forcible or visible rupture. Its figurative use for social or religious division becomes especially prominent in Christian writings, anticipating the noun σχίσμα ('schism').

Translation Consistency

primary "split" 10 occurrences

“Split” is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the primary literal sense (tear/rend/break open) and the common figurative sense (produce division or schism). It is the most frequent rendering in the data and yields idiomatic translations across contexts while preserving the idea of a fissure or separation.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"us tear apart" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb; to split or sever (literally or figuratively):--break, divide, open, rend, make a rent.

Root Family

σχίζω (schízō) — to split, to cleave, to tear

Root σχίζ- to split, to cleave, to tear

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4977-01 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was torn was split apart was split apart 6
G4977-03 σχίσας schisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having torn having split apart having split apart 1
G4977-05 σχίσωμεν schisomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us tear let us tear apart let us tear apart 1
G4977-06 σχιζομένους schizomenous V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL being torn open being split apart being split apart 1
G4977-04 σχίσει schisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will tear will split apart will split apart 1
G4977-02 ἐσχίσθησαν eschisthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were split they were split apart were split apart 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4977-01 Matthew 27:51 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was torn was split apart was split apart
G4977-02 Matthew 27:51 ἐσχίσθησαν eschisthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were split they were split apart were split apart
G4977-06 Mark 1:10 σχιζομένους schizomenous V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL being torn open being split apart being split apart
G4977-01 Mark 15:38 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was torn was split apart was split apart
G4977-03 Luke 5:36 σχίσας schisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having torn having split apart having split apart
G4977-04 Luke 5:36 σχίσει schisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will tear will split apart will split apart
G4977-01 Luke 23:45 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was torn was split apart was split apart
G4977-05 John 19:24 σχίσωμεν schisomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us tear let us tear apart let us tear apart
G4977-01 John 21:11 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was torn was split apart was split apart
G4977-01 Acts 14:4 ἐσχίσθη eschisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was divided was split apart was split apart
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