διχάζω (dichazō)
dichazō
to disunite
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb dichazō means to cut something into two parts or to cleave it apart. While its literal sense involves physical division, the New Testament uses it metaphorically to describe a state of being set at variance or made hostile toward one another. This word appears only once in the Gospels, in Matthew 10:35.
In that specific passage, Jesus uses dichazō to illustrate how his message can create deep social fractures within families. The sources note that this usage aligns with the Hebrew concept of separating or dividing, emphasizing a sharp rupture rather than a simple disagreement. By choosing this strong verb, the text highlights the intensity of the conflict, where loyalty to the gospel may lead to being divided from even one’s closest kin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dichazō describes a sharp division, like cutting something into two distinct pieces. In Matthew 10:35, Jesus uses this strong verb to show that following Him can create deep fractures in even the closest family ties. This is not a call for conflict, but a realistic warning that loyalty to Christ may place you at odds with those who do not share your faith.
When relationships become strained because of your commitment to the gospel, it can feel isolating and painful. Jesus acknowledges this reality without sugarcoating it. He invites you to trust that He understands the weight of such separation and offers His presence as your steady ground when human bonds are tested.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to set at variance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διχάσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:35
For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
This verse uses dichazō to depict the intense social rupture Jesus warns will occur when His message divides families.