1266. diamerizó
Lexical Summary
diamerizó: To divide, to distribute, to apportion

Original Word: διαμερίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diamerizó
Pronunciation: dee-am-er-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-am-er-id'-zo)
KJV: cloven, divide, part
NASB: divided, divided up among themselves, distributing, divided among, dividing up among, share, sharing
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and G3307 (μερίζω - divided)]

1. to partition thoroughly
2. (literally) -in distribution
3. (figuratively) -in dissension

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cloven, divided

From dia and merizo; to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension) -- cloven, divide, part.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK merizo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dia and merizó
Definition
to distribute, to divide
NASB Translation
distributing (1), divided (4), divided...among (1), divided up...among themselves (2), dividing up...among (1), share (1), sharing (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1266: διαμερίζω

διαμερίζω: imperfect διεμέριζον; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural διαμερίσατε; passive (present διαμερίζομαι); perfect participle διαμεμερισμενος; 1 aorist διεμερίσθην; future διαμερισθήσομαι; (middle, present διαμερίζομαι; 1 aorist διεμερισαμην); to divide;

1. to cleave asunder, cut in pieces: ζῷα διαμερισθενα namely, by the butcher, Plato, legg. 8, p. 849 d.; according to a use peculiar to Luke in the passive, to be divided into opposing parts, to be at variance, in dissension: ἐπί τινα, against one, Luke 11:17f; ἐπί τίνι, f.

2. to distribute (Plato, polit., p. 289 c.; in the Sept. chiefly for חָלַק): τί, Mark 15:24 Rec.; τί τίνι, Luke 22:17 (where L T Tr WH εἰς ἑαυτούς for R G ἑαυτοῖς); Acts 2:45; passive Acts 2:3; middle to distribute among themselves: τί, Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24 G L T Tr WH; Luke 23:34; with ἑαυτοῖς added (Matthew 27:35 Rec.); John 19:24 from Psalm 21:19 ().

Topical Lexicon
Semantic and Thematic Scope

Strong’s Greek 1266 presents a two–pronged idea: decisive division and gracious distribution. Whether exposing fault lines in human allegiance or parceling out tangible gifts, the verb consistently highlights a line drawn by God’s providence—either to reveal hearts or to supply needs.

Division That Tests Allegiance

Luke records the Lord’s warning that His coming ignites relational fracture: “From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three” (Luke 12:52; cf. 12:53). The gospel demands personal choice; when Christ is received by some and rejected by others, households split. Earlier Jesus had stated the principle in universal terms: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall” (Luke 11:17). This maxim, repeated in Luke 11:18 with Satan’s kingdom as the negative example, grounds the peril of disunity and underscores the necessity of wholehearted loyalty to Christ.

The Cup Shared Among Disciples

During the Passover meal, Jesus said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves” (Luke 22:17). The same verb that marks division also conveys mutual participation. In the upper room the Lord models fellowship grounded in His impending sacrifice, teaching that what He provides must be received corporately and personally.

Pentecost: Fire Parted for Empowerment

“At Pentecost they saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3). The dividing flame signals both unity and individuality: the same Spirit empowers each believer without dissolving personal identity. What might seem fragmentation is, in fact, the means by which one gospel spreads through many voices.

Distribution of Resources in the Early Church

The fellowship born of the Spirit quickly expressed itself in practical generosity: “They sold their property and possessions and shared with anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45). Division here is the breaking up of private holdings so that no member lacks. The term thus links spiritual endowment with material stewardship—God divides gifts so the body may be whole.

Prophetic Fulfillment at the Cross

“All four Gospel witnesses note the soldiers dividing Jesus’ garments (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24).” What appears as casual cruelty actually fulfills Psalm 22:18, certifying Jesus as the promised Sufferer. The verb therefore anchors messianic prophecy in historical detail, confirming Scripture’s reliability.

Ecclesiological Implications

1. Unity safeguarded: If internal division destroys kingdoms (Luke 11:17), Christ’s church must guard doctrinal and relational oneness.
2. Diversity empowered: The Pentecost scene legitimizes Spirit–given variety in gifts and callings without threatening unity.
3. Stewardship mandated: Acts 2:45 converts ownership into ministry opportunity, challenging believers to hold resources loosely for the brethren’s sake.

Pastoral Warnings and Encouragements

• Division over Christ is inevitable; division within Christ is intolerable.
• Where the Spirit apportions, every believer is both recipient and steward.
• Fulfilled prophecy in the soldiers’ casting lots certifies that even hostile actions advance God’s redemptive plan.

Eschatological Perspective

The household strife of Luke 12 aligns with the separating work that will climax at final judgment (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). Present choices foreshadow eternal destinies.

Summary

Strong’s 1266 threads through judgment, fellowship, prophecy, and stewardship. It exposes hearts, distributes grace, fulfills Scripture, and sustains community. The same Christ who separates light from darkness also breaks bread for His disciples, dividing that He might unify all who call upon His name.

Forms and Transliterations
διαμεμερισμενοι διαμεμερισμένοι διαμεριειτε διαμεριζομεναι διαμεριζόμεναι διαμεριζομενοι διαμεριζόμενοι διαμερίζοντα διαμεριζονται διαμερίζονται διαμερισατε διαμερίσατε διαμερισθεισα διαμερισθείσα διαμερισθεῖσα διαμερισθήσεται διαμερισθησονται διαμερισθήσονται διαμέρισον διαμεριώ διεμέριζεν διεμεριζον διεμέριζον διεμερίζονται διεμέρισαν διεμερισαντο διεμερίσαντο διεμέρισας διεμέρισε διεμερισθη διεμερίσθη διεμερίσθησαν diamemerismenoi diamemerisménoi diamerisate diamerísate diameristheisa diameristheîsa diameristhesontai diameristhēsontai diameristhḗsontai diamerizomenai diamerizómenai diamerizomenoi diamerizómenoi diamerizontai diamerízontai diemerisanto diemerísanto diemeristhe diemeristhē diemerísthe diemerísthē diemerizon diemérizon
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:35 V-AIM-3P
GRK: δὲ αὐτὸν διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτια
NAS: And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments
KJV: him, and parted his
INT: moreover him they divided the garments

Matthew 27:35 V-AIM-3P
GRK: τοῦ προφήτου διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτια
KJV: the prophet, They parted my
INT: the prophet They divided the garments

Mark 15:24 V-PIM-3P
GRK: αὐτὸν καὶ διαμερίζονται τὰ ἱμάτια
NAS: And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments
KJV: him, they parted his
INT: him also they divided the garments

Luke 11:17 V-APP-NFS
GRK: ἐφ' ἑαυτὴν διαμερισθεῖσα ἐρημοῦται καὶ
NAS: kingdom divided against
KJV: Every kingdom divided against itself
INT: against itself having been divided is brought to desolation and

Luke 11:18 V-AIP-3S
GRK: ἐφ' ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη πῶς σταθήσεται
NAS: Satan also is divided against himself,
KJV: Satan also be divided against himself,
INT: against himself be divided how will stand

Luke 12:52 V-RPM/P-NMP
GRK: ἑνὶ οἴκῳ διαμεμερισμένοι τρεῖς ἐπὶ
NAS: household will be divided, three
KJV: one house divided, three against
INT: one house divided three against

Luke 12:53 V-FIP-3P
GRK: διαμερισθήσονται πατὴρ ἐπὶ
NAS: They will be divided, father against
KJV: The father shall be divided against
INT: Will be divided father against

Luke 22:17 V-AMA-2P
GRK: τοῦτο καὶ διαμερίσατε εἰς ἑαυτούς
NAS: this and share it among
KJV: and divide [it] among yourselves:
INT: this and divide [it] among themselves

Luke 23:34 V-PPM-NMP
GRK: τί ποιοῦσιν διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ
NAS: lots, dividing up His garments
KJV: they do. And they parted his raiment,
INT: what they do dividing moreover the

John 19:24 V-AIM-3P
GRK: ἡ λέγουσα Διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτιά
NAS: the Scripture: THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS
KJV: which saith, They parted my raiment
INT: which said They divided the garments

Acts 2:3 V-PPM/P-NFP
GRK: ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ
NAS: as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested
KJV: unto them cloven tongues
INT: there appeared to them divided tongues as

Acts 2:45 V-IIA-3P
GRK: ἐπίπρασκον καὶ διεμέριζον αὐτὰ πᾶσιν
NAS: and possessions and were sharing them with all,
KJV: goods, and parted them to all
INT: they sold and divided them to all

Strong's Greek 1266
12 Occurrences


διαμεμερισμένοι — 1 Occ.
διαμερίσατε — 1 Occ.
διαμερισθήσονται — 1 Occ.
διαμερισθεῖσα — 1 Occ.
διαμεριζόμεναι — 1 Occ.
διαμεριζόμενοι — 1 Occ.
διαμερίζονται — 1 Occ.
διεμερίσαντο — 3 Occ.
διεμερίσθη — 1 Occ.
διεμέριζον — 1 Occ.

1265
Top of Page
Top of Page