πρίζω (prizō)
prizō
to saw (in two)
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prizō describes the physical act of sawing something in two. It is a straightforward term for cutting material with a serrated tool, appearing only once in the New Testament within Hebrews 11:37. In this context, it depicts the brutal execution of faithful figures who were "sawn apart" as martyrs.
Its presence in this single verse highlights the extreme violence faced by some Old Testament believers. The word carries no metaphorical or spiritual nuance beyond its literal meaning; it serves as a stark historical record of suffering. Translators consistently render it as "sawn" to preserve the graphic reality of the martyrdom described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word prizō describes a brutal physical reality: being sawn in two. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 11:37. This verse lists the sufferings of faithful people from the Old Testament. The text mentions they were stoned, tempted, and slain with the sword. Then it adds this specific detail about being sawn apart.
Reading this can be difficult. It reminds us that following God sometimes involves extreme pain and loss. These believers did not receive what was promised in their lifetime. They faced death with courage. Their story shows that faithfulness matters more than comfort or safety.
This word does not offer a metaphor for spiritual growth. It stands as a stark record of suffering. Yet, it also points to a hope beyond death. The author of Hebrews includes this to show that these people trusted God even when the end was violent. Their endurance encourages us to hold fast to our own faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were sawed in two1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπρίσθησαν,1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where prizō specifically details the martyrdom of Old Testament saints alongside other forms of execution.