Understanding διαμερισμός (diamerismos) Strong’s G1267: The Divine Division that Reveals Spiritual Allegiances

Pronunciation Guide: dee-am-er-is-mos’ (with emphasis on the third syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1267: Διαμερισμός (diamerismos) refers to a division, separation, or disunion that creates distinct parties or factions. It describes the act of dividing or separating things that were once united, particularly in relational contexts. This powerful term conveys not merely physical separation but the establishment of distinct sides based on allegiance or conviction, revealing underlying spiritual realities through visible divisions.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Masculine noun
• Root Words: Derived from the verb διαμερίζω (diamerizo, G1266), meaning “to divide up, distribute, separate”
• Compound Word: Formed from διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + μερίζω (merizo, “to divide, apportion”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in teaching passages within the Gospels

Διαμερισμός Morphology:

• διαμερισμός (nominative singular) – a division
• διαμερισμοῦ (genitive singular) – of division
• διαμερισμῷ (dative singular) – in/with division
• διαμερισμόν (accusative singular) – division (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term διαμερισμός has its roots in classical Greek, where the verb form διαμερίζω was used to describe the distribution of goods or division of property. In Xenophon’s “Anabasis” (4.5.28), the author uses a related form to describe the division of spoils among soldiers. The concept evolved from merely physical division to encompass ideological and relational separation.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the verbal form appears in several passages, most notably in Joel 3:2 where God speaks of the nations dividing (διεμερίσαντο) His land. This established an important theological precedent: division could be a consequence of rebellion against divine order. By New Testament times, the noun form διαμερισμός had developed deeper connotations of division resulting from one’s response to truth, particularly spiritual truth.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A clear separation creating distinct sides or factions
• The process of allocating people into different groups based on their allegiances
• The state of disunity resulting from different responses to truth
• A division that reveals previously hidden loyalties or beliefs
• The manifestation of spiritual realities through visible relational fractures

Διαμερισμός Translation Options:

• Division – Most literal translation, emphasizing the process of separating into distinct parties
• Dissension – Highlights the relational conflict aspect of the term
• Disunity – Focuses on the resulting state rather than the process
• Separation – Emphasizes the space created between previously united parties
• Schism – Appropriate when referring to formal or structured divisions

Biblical Usage

Διαμερισμός appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 12:51, where Yeshua (Jesus) challenges a common messianic misconception. While many expected the Messiah to bring immediate peace, Yeshua declares He came to bring “division” (διαμερισμόν). This statement parallels Matthew 10:34-36, where Yeshua says He came not to bring peace but a sword—imagery that conveys the same divisive effect of His ministry, though using different terminology.

Though the noun occurs only once, the verbal form διαμερίζω appears several times in significant contexts. At Pentecost in Acts 2:3, tongues of fire “divided” (διαμεριζόμεναι) and rested on each disciple. In Luke 23:34, the soldiers “divided” (διαμεριζόμενοι) Yeshua’s garments, an act that fulfilled prophecy and symbolized the division of humanity at the cross.

• “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division [διαμερισμόν].” Luke 12:51
• “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves [διαμεριζόμεναι], and they rested on each one of them.” Acts 2:3
• “And dividing [διαμεριζόμενοι] His garments among them, they cast lots.” Luke 23:34
• “Any kingdom divided [διαμερισθεῖσα] against itself is laid waste.” Luke 11:17
• “And they began to argue with one another which one of them might be the one who was going to divide [διαμερίσασθαι] the estate with him.” Luke 12:13
• “For from now on five members in one household will be divided [διαμεμερισμένοι], three against two and two against three.” Luke 12:52

Cultural Insights

In first-century Judaism, family unity was considered paramount, with the household functioning as the basic unit of society. Within this context, Yeshua’s statement about bringing διαμερισμός would have been shocking and counterintuitive to His audience. The Jewish people expected the Messiah to reunite the twelve tribes and restore national harmony, not create division within individual families.

This statement must be understood against the backdrop of the ancient Mediterranean “honor-shame” culture, where family loyalty was considered an absolute virtue. By declaring that faithfulness to Him might necessitate family division, Yeshua was elevating allegiance to the Kingdom of God above even the most sacred human relationships. This wasn’t merely a prediction but a challenge to the prevailing social order, declaring that ultimate allegiance belonged to God rather than family patriarchs or matriarchs.

The Hebrew concept of “shalom” (peace) encompasses wholeness, completeness, and harmony—all seemingly contradicted by διαμερισμός. Yet within Hebrew thought, there was also recognition that true peace sometimes required separation from evil (as reflected in the Hebrew term “havdalah,” meaning separation or distinction). Yeshua’s use of διαμερισμός thus resonates with this Jewish understanding that genuine shalom sometimes requires division from that which opposes God’s truth.

Theological Significance

The concept of διαμερισμός reveals a profound theological reality: truth, by its very nature, divides. When Yeshua proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), He established a claim that necessarily created division based on one’s response. The divisive effect of the gospel is not an unfortunate byproduct but an inevitable consequence of its absolute claims. Yahweh does not force unity at the expense of truth but rather allows διαμερισμός to reveal genuine spiritual allegiances.

This division serves a purifying purpose in the divine economy. Throughout Scripture, Yahweh separates light from darkness, clean from unclean, holy from profane. The διαμερισμός that Yeshua brings continues this pattern, revealing the condition of human hearts through their response to Him. Far from contradicting God’s desire for unity (John 17:21), this division actually serves it by ensuring that ultimate unity is founded on truth rather than compromise.

Significantly, διαμερισμός also points to the eschatological separation described throughout Scripture. From the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:30) to the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:32-33), the Bible consistently portrays final judgment as a divine διαμερισμός—a separation based on one’s relationship to the Messiah. Thus, the divisions created by the gospel in this age foreshadow the ultimate division that will occur at the end of the age.

Personal Application

When we truly understand διαμερισμός, we approach relational divisions differently. Rather than viewing all division as inherently negative, we recognize that some separations are necessary and even redemptive. The question becomes not whether we experience division, but whether that division results from our faithful adherence to God’s truth. When relationships become strained because of our commitment to Yeshua, we can take comfort knowing this pattern was predicted and is sometimes unavoidable in genuine discipleship.

This concept also challenges us to examine whether we have allowed the fear of διαμερισμός to compromise our witness. Have we softened the edges of the gospel to avoid its divisive effects? Have we prioritized relational harmony over faithful proclamation of truth? The Messiah who brought διαμερισμός calls us to courage—not to seek division for its own sake, but to remain steadfast even when truth creates separation. In doing so, we follow His example, who endured the ultimate διαμερισμός on the cross, being separated from the Father so that we might be reconciled to Him.

Related Words

• μερισμός (merismos, G3311) – A division or partition; refers to the action of dividing something into portions, though without the intensification of the “δια” prefix that suggests thoroughness or completion. See G3311
• σχίσμα (schisma, G4978) – A split, division, or tear; often used metaphorically for divisions within the religious community, emphasizing the visible rupture rather than the process of separating. See G4978
• διχοστασία (dichostasia, G1370) – Dissension or standing apart; focuses on the state of being divided into factions or parties, particularly in contexts of doctrinal disagreement. See G1370
• διαίρεσις (diairesis, G1243) – A division, distribution, or difference; used in 1 Corinthians to describe the diversity of spiritual gifts that, despite their differences, contribute to unity. See G1243
• διαχωρίζω (diachorizo, G1266) – To separate completely; emphasizes the thoroughness of separation, creating complete distinction between the separated parties. See G1266

Did you Know?

• Did you know that while διαμερισμός appears only once in the New Testament, its significance is amplified by its strategic placement in Luke’s Gospel? Luke, writing to a primarily Gentile audience, includes this term to emphasize that following the Jewish Messiah would require followers to potentially break with their pagan cultural and family traditions—a radical concept in the ancient world where religious practice was typically determined by family identity rather than individual conviction.
• Did you know that the concept of διαμερισμός finds a fascinating parallel in ancient Jewish practice? The Havdalah ceremony, which concludes the Sabbath, centers around making distinctions—between holy and mundane, light and darkness, Israel and the nations. This ritual of “separation” (הַבְדָּלָה) creates a conceptual framework that helps us understand how Yeshua’s διαμερισμός functions as a necessary boundary-marker between Kingdom values and worldly values.
• Did you know that διαμερισμός has modern psychological implications? Contemporary research on cognitive dissonance reveals that exposure to truth claims creates internal tension that must be resolved either through acceptance (leading to changed beliefs) or rejection (leading to hardened opposition). This psychological principle illuminates why Yeshua’s teachings necessarily produced διαμερισμός—they created cognitive dissonance that required resolution, inevitably dividing people based on their response.

Remember This

Διαμερισμός reveals that the Messiah’s peace comes not through universal compromise but through the courageous alignment with divine truth, even when that alignment creates necessary division.