Quick Definition
a distribution, separation
Strong's Definition
a separation or distribution
Derivation: from G3307 (μερίζω);
KJV Usage: dividing asunder, gift
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
μερισμός, μερισμοῦ, ὁ (μερίζω), a division, partition (Plato, Polybius, Strabo, (others));
1. a distribution; plural distributions of various kinds: πνεύματος ἁγίου, genitive of the object, Heb_2:4.
2. a separation: ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς καί πνεύματος, which many take actively: 'up to the dividing' i. e. so far as to cleave asunder or separate; but it is not easy to understand what the dividing of the 'soul' is. Hence, it is more correct, I think, and more in accordance with the context, to take the word passively (just as other verbal substantive ending in μος are used, e. g. ἁγιασμός, πειρασμός), and translate even to the division, etc., i. e. to that most hidden spot, the dividing line between soul and spirit, where the one passes into the other, Heb_4:12; (cf. Siegfried, Philo von Alex. as above with, p. 325f).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
μερισμός merismos 2x
a dividing, act of dividing, Heb_4:12 ;
distribution, gifts distributed, Heb_2:4
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
μερισμός , -οῦ , ὁ
( < μερίζω ),
[in LXX for H4255 , H4256 , Jos_11:23 , Ezr_6:18 * ;]
1. a dividing, division: ψυχῆς κ . πνεύματος ( i.e . between them or of the things themselves, v. Westc ., in l ), Heb_4:12 .
2. a dis\-tribution, bestowal ( cf. μερίζω , 2); pl ., Heb_2:4 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
μερισμός [page 398]
For μερισμός , division, share, cf. P Tebt I. 58 .38 (B.C. III) (= Witkowski .2 , p. 104) γέγραπται ὁ μερισμός , the division (of artabae) has been drawn up, P Fay 125 .7 (ii/A.D.) δύνασα [ι ] τὸν μερισμὸν τῆς Φιλ [ο ]π̣α̣[το ]ρος ἔχειν , take care to secure the share of Philopator. For the meaning a distributing, cf. Syll 603 (= .8 1017) .17 (iii/B.C.) πωλή ]σει δὲ καὶ τὰ συν [ειλε ]γμέν [α ] ἐκ τοῦ [μ ]ερισμοῦ , ex distributione victimarum deo oblatarum (Ed.). Wilcken ( Ostr i. p. 256 ff.) has shown that in the ostraca μερισμός (= τὸ μεμερισμένον ) denotes a personal tax assessed at the same rate for all, e.g. Ostr 613 .3 (A.D. 141 142) ὑπ (ὲρ ) μερισμ (οῦ ) ἀπόρω (ν ), perhaps a kind of poor-rate ( Ostr i. p. 161), or more likely an extra levy to make up deficiencies caused by ἄποροι , who were unable to pay taxes (see Archiv iv. p. 545) : cf. also P Tebt I. 29 .15 ( c. B.C. 110) πυρίνου μερισμοῦ , items of the corn-dues, BGU I. 20 .3 (A.D. 141 2) μερισμὸς [σπ ]ερμάτων , ib. 21 i. 11 (A.D. 340) μεμερίσθαι καὶ ἀπαιτῆσθαι ( l. ἀπῃτῆσθαι ) ἐπὶ τῆς ἡμετέρας κώμης εἰς τοὺς ἑξῆς ἐγγεγραμμένους ἄνδρας τοὺς ἑξῆς ἐγγεγραμμένους μερισμοὺς ἐφ᾽ ἑκάστου μηνός . For a possible ex. of the rare μέρισμα see P Strass II. 107 .6 (iii/B.C.) εἰς πάντας τοὺς λόγους τὰ μερίσ [ματα (?) . . . .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
μερισμός μερισμός, οῦ, ὁ, "a dividing, division", Plat.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
μερισμός, -οῦ, ὁ
(μερίζω), [in LXX for מַחְלְקָה, מַחֲלֹקֶת, Jos.11:23, Est.6:18 * ;]
__1. a dividing, division: ψυχῆς κ. πνεύματος (i.e. between them or of the things themselves, see Westc., in l), Heb.4:12.
__2. a distribution, bestowal (cf. μερίζω, 2); pl., Heb.2:4.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Division (gifts) (3311) merismos
Division (3311) (merismos from merizo = to partition, divide into parts <> meros = part) denotes primarily a division or partition. It refers to the act of distribution or apportionment as of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit.
The word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bare self-delusions and moral sophistries.
Merismos is used 2 times in the NT and 2 times in the Septuagint (LXX)...
Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.
Ezra 6:18 Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
Hebrews 2:4 (note) God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts (distribution, apportionment) of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Spurgeon...
As you have seen hanging up in the butcher’s shop the carcasses of animals cut right down in the center, so the Word of God is “piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow.” It opens a man to himself and makes him see himself.
Soul and spirit - Guthrie explains that...
The New Testament use of pneuma for the human spirit focuses on the spiritual aspect of man, i.e. his life in relation to God, whereas psyche refers to man’s life irrespective of his spiritual experience, i.e. his life in relation to himself, his emotions and thought. There is a strong antithesis between the two in the theology of Paul.
How precious is the Book divine,
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.
-John Fawcett