μεριστής (meristēs)

meristēs

arbiter

G3312 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The noun meristēs means a person who divides something, specifically an inheritance or estate. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 12:14, where a man asks Jesus to act as the arbiter in a dispute over property with his brother.

Its root verb, merizō, refers to the act of partitioning or distributing shares. The term carries no spiritual weight here; it describes a secular legal function. Jesus declines this role, not because division is wrong, but because he refuses to be drawn into worldly disputes over material wealth.

This single usage highlights Jesus’ focus on deeper spiritual matters rather than earthly financial conflicts. By stepping back from the role of meristēs, he redirects attention from inheritance rights to the condition of the heart.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word meristēs describes someone who divides up property or inheritance. In Luke 12:14, a man asks Jesus to act as this kind of judge between him and his brother. It is a straightforward request for legal fairness regarding material goods.

Jesus refuses the title. He does not condemn the desire for justice, but He points out that His mission is not to settle earthly disputes over wealth. This moment invites us to look past our own claims to what truly matters: the condition of our hearts and our trust in God’s provision.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

partitioner1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

μεριστὴν1×

Key Verses

Luke 12:14
But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”

This is the only New Testament occurrence, where Jesus explicitly rejects the role of arbiter to highlight a deeper spiritual priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does meristēs mean?

It is a Greek noun meaning 'arbiter' or one who divides an inheritance. It appears only once in the New Testament, describing a secular legal function rather than a spiritual office.

Why did Jesus refuse to be called a meristēs?

In Luke 12:14, Jesus declines because His focus is on spiritual matters and the heart's condition, not on settling worldly disputes over material wealth or property.

Is this word used elsewhere in the Bible?

No, it appears only in Luke 12:14. However, its root verb, merizō (to divide), is used more frequently to describe sharing or distributing things.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Luke 1 verse

Luke 12:14

But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”