Strong's Lexicon merismos: Division, distribution, apportionment Original Word: μερισμός Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb μερίζω (merizō), meaning "to divide" or "to apportion." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "merismos," the concept of division and distribution can be related to Hebrew words like חֵלֶק (cheleq, Strong's H2506), meaning "portion" or "share," and נַחֲלָה (nachalah, Strong's H5159), meaning "inheritance" or "possession." Usage: The term "merismos" refers to the act of dividing or distributing something into parts. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the division or distribution of spiritual gifts, as well as the discernment and separation of thoughts and intentions. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of division and distribution was common in various contexts, such as inheritance, land distribution, and the allocation of resources. In the Jewish tradition, the division of land among the tribes of Israel and the distribution of priestly duties were significant aspects of their cultural and religious life. The New Testament usage of "merismos" reflects these cultural understandings, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts and the discernment of spiritual matters. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3311 merismós (from 3307 /merízō) – properly, distribution. See 3307 (merizō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom merizó Definition a dividing, distribution NASB Translation division (1), gifts (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3311: μερισμόςμερισμός, μερισμοῦ, ὁ (μερίζω), a division, partition (Plato, Polybius, Strabo, (others)); 1. a distribution; plural distributions of various kinds: πνεύματος ἁγίου, genitive of the object, Hebrews 2:4. 2. a separation: ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς καί πνεύματος, which many take actively: 'up to the dividing' i. e. so far as to cleave asunder or separate; but it is not easy to understand what the dividing of the 'soul' is. Hence, it is more correct, I think, and more in accordance with the context, to take the word passively (just as other verbal substantive ending in μος are used, e. g. ἁγιασμός, πειρασμός), and translate even to the division, etc., i. e. to that most hidden spot, the dividing line between soul and spirit, where the one passes into the other, Hebrews 4:12; (cf. Siegfried, Philo von Alex. as above with, p. 325f). From merizo; a separation or distribution -- dividing asunder, gift. see GREEK merizo Englishman's Concordance Hebrews 2:4 N-DMPGRK: πνεύματος ἁγίου μερισμοῖς κατὰ τὴν NAS: miracles and by gifts of the Holy KJV: miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, INT: of [the] Spirit Holy distributions according to Hebrews 4:12 N-GMS Strong's Greek 3311 |
|
