"pr. to cut into two parts, cut asunder; in NT to inflict a punishment of extreme severity, Mt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46*"
Definition and meaning
pr. to cut into two parts, cut asunder; in NT to inflict a punishment of extreme severity, Mt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46*
In the original Greek the word is written: διχοτομέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of dichotomeo (G1371) across the King James Bible.
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
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Common questions
Strong's G1371 (dichotomeo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to cut into two parts, cut asunder; in NT to inflict a punishment of extreme severity, Mt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word dichotomeo (G1371) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1371 is dichotomeo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to cut into two parts, cut asunder; in NT to inflict a punishment of extreme severity, Mt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
dichotomeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.