3320. mesotoichon

Lexicon

mesotoichon: Middle wall, dividing wall

Original Word: μεσότοιχον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: mesotoichon
Pronunciation: meh-SO-toi-khon
Phonetic Spelling: (mes-ot'-oy-khon)
Definition: Middle wall, dividing wall
Meaning: a middle wall, partition wall, barrier.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

a middle wall, dividing wall

From mesos and toichos; a partition (figuratively) -- middle wall.

see GREEK mesos

see GREEK toichos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from mesos and toichos
Definition
a middle wall
NASB Translation
dividing wall (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3320: μεσότοιχον

μεσότοιχον, μεσοτοιχου, τό (μέσος, and τοῖχος the wall of a house), a partition-wall: τό μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ (i. e. τόν φραγμόν τόν μεσότοιχον ὄντα (A. V. the middle wall of partition; Winer's Grammar, § 59, 8 a.)), Ephesians 2:14. (Only once besides, and that too in the masculine: τόν τῆς ἡονης καί ἀρετῆς μεσότοιχον, Eratosthenes quoted in Athen. 7, p. 281 d.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From μέσος (mesos, meaning "middle" or "in the midst") and τοῖχος (toichos, meaning "wall").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for μεσότοιχον, the concept of a dividing wall or partition can be related to terms like גָּדֵר (gader, Strong's Hebrew 1447), meaning "wall" or "fence," which is used in various contexts in the Old Testament to describe physical barriers or enclosures.

Usage: The term μεσότοιχον is used in the New Testament to describe a metaphorical barrier or division, specifically in the context of the separation between Jews and Gentiles.

Context: The Greek term μεσότοιχον appears in the New Testament in Ephesians 2:14, where the Apostle Paul uses it to describe the "dividing wall of hostility" that Christ has broken down. This wall symbolizes the separation and enmity between Jews and Gentiles, which was a significant issue in the early church. In the context of Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the unity and reconciliation brought about through Christ's death, which abolished the law's ordinances that separated the two groups. The imagery of a wall being torn down highlights the removal of barriers and the creation of one new humanity in Christ, fostering peace and unity among believers.

Ephesians 2:14 (BSB): "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility."

The concept of a dividing wall would have been familiar to Paul's audience, as the temple in Jerusalem had a literal wall separating the Court of the Gentiles from the inner courts accessible only to Jews. This physical barrier served as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual and social divisions that Christ came to dismantle.

Forms and Transliterations

μεσοτοιχον μεσότοιχον mesotoichon mesótoichon

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 2:14 N-ANS
GRK: καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ
NAS: the barrier of the dividing wall,
KJV: hath broken down the middle wall of partition
INT: and the middle wall of the fence

Strong's Greek 3320
1 Occurrence

μεσότοιχον — 1 Occ.