The term "halve" refers to the act of dividing something into two equal parts. While the specific word "halve" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of dividing or sharing equally is present in various passages and teachings throughout Scripture. The idea of fairness, justice, and equitable distribution is a recurring theme in biblical texts.

Biblical Context and Examples

1. Solomon's Wisdom (1 Kings 3:16-28): One of the most famous biblical accounts involving the concept of dividing is the judgment of King Solomon. Two women came to Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of a living child, while the other woman's child had died. Solomon proposed to "halve" the living child with a sword, giving each woman half. The true mother immediately offered to give up her claim to save the child's life, revealing her identity. Solomon's proposal to divide the child was a test of the women's true intentions, demonstrating his wisdom in discerning the truth.

2. Equitable Distribution (Luke 12:13-15): In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of fairness and greed when a man asks Him to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus responds, "Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?" (Luke 12:14). He then warns against greed, emphasizing that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. This passage highlights the importance of contentment and the dangers of covetousness, rather than focusing solely on the act of dividing material wealth.

3. The Early Church (Acts 2:44-45): The early Christian community practiced a form of communal living, where believers shared their possessions and distributed resources according to need. "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need" (Acts 2:44-45). This practice reflects the principle of equitable distribution and mutual support within the body of Christ.

4. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16): Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who hires workers at different times of the day but pays them all the same wage. When those hired first complain, the landowner responds, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?" (Matthew 20:13). This parable challenges human notions of fairness and highlights God's sovereignty and generosity.

Theological Implications

The concept of halving or dividing in the Bible often serves as a means to explore deeper themes of justice, mercy, and divine wisdom. It underscores the importance of discernment, the value of life, and the call to live in community with fairness and generosity. The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek God's wisdom in matters of justice and to prioritize relationships and spiritual wealth over material possessions.1. (n.) A half.

2. (v. t.) To divide into two equal parts; as, to halve an apple; to be or form half of.

3. (v. t.) To join, as two pieces of timber, by cutting away each for half its thickness at the joining place, and fitting together.

2673. chatsah -- to divide
... A primitive root (compare zed)); to cut or split in two; to halve -- divide, X live
out half, reach to the midst, participle. see HEBREW zed. 2672, 2673. ...
/hebrew/2673.htm - 6k

Herod and Peter.
... the honours and dominions, of his grandfather and uncle; and he has transmitted
his name to posterity, as one of those bloody tyrants, who halve abused their ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

Christ Truly Lived and Died in Human Flesh Incidents of his Human ...
... If His flesh with its sufferings was fictitious, for the same reason was the Spirit
false with all its powers. Wherefore halve [7017] Christ with a lie? ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter v christ truly lived and.htm

An Abstract of a Speech Delivered by Lord Warriston, Before the ...
... zealous and forward to give their testimony, albeit they easily saw it would not
be very acceptable to the powers on earth, who would hamper, stamp and halve it ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/an abstract of a speech.htm

Psalm LV.
... They are themselves men of bloods and of deceit. 26. But of them he saith what?
"They shall not halve their days." What is, "They shall not halve their days"? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lv.htm

Faith
... You are not allowed to halve the Scriptures, and to believe what you please; you
are not allowed to believe the Scripture with a half-heartedness, for if you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/faith.htm

Hymns of Suffering and Trust.
... Dr. David Breed calls it "one of the most ingenious hymns in the language," referring
to the fact that the invitation and response exactly halve each stanza ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter v hymns of suffering.htm

Appendices
Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations. <. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Half (135 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To halve. [Obs.] See Halve. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TIME, TIMES
AND A HALF. (Daniel 12:7; compare 7:25; Revelation 12:14): A luni-solar cycle. ...
/h/half.htm - 41k

Halve (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A half. 2. (vt) To divide into two equal parts; as, to halve an apple; to
be or form half of. ... Multi-Version Concordance Halve (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/halve.htm - 7k

Halved (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Halve. 2. (a.) Appearing as if one side,
or one half, were cut away; dimidiate. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/halved.htm - 8k

Sold (92 Occurrences)
... ox doth smite the ox of his neighbour, and it hath died, then they have sold the
living ox, and halved its money, and also the dead one they do halve; (YLT). ...
/s/sold.htm - 35k

Halting (8 Occurrences)

/h/halting.htm - 9k

Smite (230 Occurrences)
... ox doth smite the ox of his neighbour, and it hath died, then they have sold the
living ox, and halved its money, and also the dead one they do halve; (YLT). ...
/s/smite.htm - 39k

Halve: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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