Quick Definition
διχοτομέω v. I cut in two, scourge severely
Strong's Definition
to bisect, i.e. (by extension) to flog severely
Derivation: from a compound of a derivative of G1364 (δίς) and a derivative of (to cut);
KJV Usage: cut asunder (in sunder)
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | δύο + τομός
19.19 · Physical Impact · Pierce, Cut
to cut in two to cut an object into two parts It is also possible to interpret διχοτομέω in LUK 12:46 as ‘severe punishment’ (see διχοτομέω[b], 38.12).
38.12 · Punish, Reward · Punish
to punish severely, to punish (a figurative extension of meaning of διχοτομέω[a] ‘to cut in two,’ 19.19) to punish with great severity It is also possible to understand διχοτομέω in MAT 24:51 and the parallel passage in LUK 12:46 in a strictly literal sense, namely, ‘to cut in two’ or ‘to cut into pieces’ (see 19.19).
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
διχοτομέω, -d: fut. διχοτομήσω ; (διχοτόμος cutting in two) ; to cut into two parts (Ex. xxix. 17): Mt. xxiv. 51; Lk. xii. 46, —in these passages many suppose reference to be made to that most cruel mode of punishment, in use among the Hebrews (1S. xv. 33) and other ancient nations (see Win. RWB. s. v. Lebensstrafen; [B. D. s. v. Punishments, III. Ὁ. 3; esp. Wetstein on Mt. 1. 9.1), by which criminals and captives were cut in two. But in the text the words which follow, and which imply that the one thus ‘cut asunder’ is still surviving, oppose this interpretation; so that here the word is more fitly translated cut up by scourging, scourge severely, [but see Meyer on Mt. 1. 6.1. (Occasionally in Grk. writ. fr. Plato down.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
διχοτομέω dichotomeō 2x
pr. to cut into two parts, cut asunder; in NT to inflict a punishment of extreme severity, Mt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
διχοτομέω, -ῶ
(< διχοτόμος, < δίχα, τέμνω), [in LXX: Ex 29:17 (נתח pi.) ;]
to cut in two, cut asunder: perh. metaph. of severe scourging (but v. Meyer on Mt, l.c., and cf. I Ki 15:33, II Ki 12:31, He 11:37), Mt 24:51, Lk 12:46.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
διχοτομέω. The word is found in a very touching sepulchral inscription from Lycaonia (iii/iv A.p.), published in //7S xxii. (1902), p. 369 f., which on account of its simplicity and pathos may be given entire, as freshly read by Prof. W. M. Calder :— Τορδιανὸς τῇ γλυκυτάτῃ pov συμβίῳ Ταεάνῃ, ὑπὲρ τοῦ μέλιτος γλυκυτάτῃ, τῇ συνζησάσᾳ μοι χρόνους ὀλίγους ἐπι[τ]ίμως, ke TO veld μου τῷ πρωτοτόκ[ῳ)] ᾿Αμβροσίῳ τῷ διχοτομήσαντί με τοῦ πολοέτιον ζῆν. εὐθίως γὰρ πεντήκοντα ἡμέρας πληρώσας ἐξηκολούθησεν τῇ μητρὶ τῇ πανμακαρίτῃ. ἐλεύσομε δὲ κάτω πρὸς ὑμᾶς πληρώσας τὸ χρέος τίο]ῦ βίου, “*Gordianus to my sweetest wife Gaiana, sweetest beyond honey, who lived with me honorably for a little time, and to my firstborn son Ambrosius, who cut me off from living For as soon as he had fulfilled fifty But I shall come through many years. days he followed his sainted mother. down to you when I have fulfilled my appointed portion of life.” The verb may be quoted from 3 Baruch 16 (7 χ2: and Studies v. i. p. 94) διχοτομήσατε αὐτοὺς ἐν μαχαίρᾳ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ kal τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἐν δαιμονίοις.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
διχοτομέω (dichotomeō) — to cut in two. δῐχο-τομέω, cut in twain: bisect a line, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]:—passive, [Refs 4th c.BC+]: metaphorically of the medial raphe of the perineum, [Refs 7th c.AD+]
2. punish with the last severity, [NT]
3. divide into two (logically), [Refs 5th c.BC+]
4. intransitive, of the moon, uncertain in [Refs 1st c.AD+]