Brief Overview of συμμερίζω (Strong’s G4829: symmerizo)

Strong’s G4829: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and μερίζω (to divide, share), meaning “to share together with, to participate jointly in distribution.” Used in religious contexts regarding participation in sacred duties and sharing in temple offerings.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμμερίζω embodies the concept of shared participation and mutual distribution, particularly in sacred contexts. As a compound word, it combines the idea of togetherness (συν-) with division or sharing (μερίζω), creating a term that speaks to the sacred practice of participating together in holy things. In the New Testament, it appears specifically in relation to temple service and the provision for those who serve at the altar. The early church saw this word as significant in understanding the proper support of ministry and the mutual sharing of spiritual and material blessings. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of Christian stewardship, ministry support, and the shared participation in God’s work.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμμερίζω, symmerizo, /soom-mer-id-zo/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – MER (stressed) – id – zo
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: μερίζω (merizo) meaning “to divide, share, distribute”
• Verbal root: μέρος (meros) meaning “part, portion”
• Verbal suffix: -ίζω (-izo) indicating causative action

D – Defining Meanings

• To share together with
• To participate jointly in distribution
• To receive a portion together

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates joint participation
The root μερίζω contributes the concept of division or sharing
Together they express mutual participation in distribution

Translation Options:

1. To share jointly – Emphasizes the mutual aspect of participation
2. To participate together – Highlights the communal nature of the action
3. To receive portions together – Emphasizes the distributive aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μερίζω (merizo) /mer-id-zo/ – to divide or distribute without the joint aspect – See G3307
• κοινωνέω (koinoneo) /koy-no-neh-oh/ – to share in fellowship – See G2841
• συγκοινωνέω (sygkoinoneo) /soong-koy-no-neh-oh/ – to participate together – See G4790

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Infinitive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Punctiliar (Aorist)

Example English morphing:
Present: share together
Future: will share together
Past: shared together
Participle: sharing together

• Cross-references include the noun συμμερισμός (joint sharing) and μερίς (portion)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in religious contexts, particularly regarding temple service. Thayer’s highlights its compound nature and significance in sacred distributions. LSJ notes its usage in civic distributions and religious contexts. Vine’s connects it to the broader concept of fellowship in the New Testament. Strong’s emphasizes the joint nature of the participation. Moulton and Milligan document its use in papyri regarding legal distributions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Do you not know that those who minister the holy things [συμμερίζω] eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 1 Corinthians 9:13

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμμερίζω beautifully illustrates the principle of shared participation in God’s work. Just as the temple servants participated in the altar’s offerings, we are called to share in both the responsibilities and blessings of Kingdom work. This word reminds us that the good news of King Jesus involves not just individual blessing but communal participation in His mission and provision.

D – Did You Know?

1. The concept behind συμμερίζω was fundamental to the temple system where priests received their sustenance through participation in the sacrifices.
2. This word appears only once in the New Testament but reflects a principle that became foundational for church support of ministry.
3. The term was used in both religious and civic contexts in ancient Greece, showing the breadth of its application to communal sharing.

Strong’s G4829: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and μερίζω (to divide, share), meaning “to share together with, to participate jointly in distribution.” Used in religious contexts regarding participation in sacred duties and sharing in temple offerings.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: sharing, participation, distribution, temple-service, ministry-support, communion, fellowship, provision, sacred-duty, mutual-participation, stewardship, community​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​