Topical Encyclopedia
The term "asunder" is an archaic English word that means "apart" or "into separate pieces." In the context of the Bible, it is often used to describe the act of dividing or separating something that was once whole. The concept of being torn or split asunder carries significant theological and moral implications throughout Scripture.
Biblical Usage1.
Marriage and Divorce: One of the most notable uses of "asunder" in the Bible is in the context of marriage. In
Matthew 19:6 , Jesus speaks about the sanctity of marriage, saying, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." The term "asunder" is often used in older translations to convey the idea of separation in this context. The passage underscores the divine intention for the permanence of the marital union, emphasizing that human intervention should not divide what God has united.
2.
Judgment and Division: The concept of being cut asunder is also used in the context of divine judgment. In
Matthew 24:51 , Jesus warns of the fate of the unfaithful servant: "He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Here, the imagery of being cut asunder serves as a metaphor for severe judgment and separation from God's favor.
3.
Spiritual Division:
Hebrews 4:12 speaks to the power of God's Word, stating, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The idea of dividing asunder here illustrates the penetrating and discerning nature of Scripture, capable of separating the innermost aspects of a person’s being.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "asunder" in the Bible often highlights the seriousness of division, whether it be in relationships, spiritual states, or divine judgment. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, which can lead to separation from God and others. Conversely, it also underscores the importance of unity and the divine intention for wholeness, particularly in the context of marriage and the body of Christ.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsFrom a moral standpoint, the concept of being torn asunder calls believers to consider the gravity of actions that lead to division. Whether in personal relationships, community dynamics, or spiritual commitments, the call is to seek unity and reconciliation, reflecting the heart of God who desires restoration and peace.
In summary, the term "asunder" in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of division and separation, with profound implications for understanding God's intentions for unity, the seriousness of judgment, and the transformative power of His Word.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two; separately; into or in different pieces or places.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASUNDERa-sun'-der: This word occurs 22 times in the King James Version, 13 in Old Testament and 9 in the New Testament. It is found in combination with break (twice), burst, cleave (twice), depart, cut (six times), divide (three times), drive, part, pluck, put (twice), rend, saw. These are the translation of 9 Hebrew, and 4 Greek words.
Break asunder
(1) (parpar): Job, in reply to Eliphaz, complains about God, "I was at ease, and he brake me asunder" (Job 16:12).
(2) (nitteq): InPsalm 2 the kings and rulers, meditating rebellion against Yahweh and His anointed, say, "Let us break their bonds asunder" (Psalm 2:3).
Burst asunder (lasko): This was the fate of Judas (Acts 1:18).
Cleave asunder
(1) (nibhqa'): The same root as of biq`ah, "a valley." "The ground clave asunder" and swallowed up Dathan and Abiram with their households (Numbers 16:31).
(2) (pillach): Job complains of God, "He cleaveth my reins asunder" (Job 16:13).
Cut asunder
(1) (qitstsets): The Lord "cut asunder the cords of the wicked" (Psalm 129:4). The Hebrew word is used of cutting into wires or strips (Exodus 39:3).
(2) (gadha'): "to cut off a branch or cut down a tree." "How is the hammer of the whole earth (Babylon) cut asunder!" (Jeremiah 50:23). Zechariah "cut asunder" the staff "Beauty," signifying the breach of the covenant between Yahweh and His people, and also the staff "Bands," signifying the breach of the brotherhood between Judah and Israel (Zechariah 11:10, 14).
(3) (dichotomeo): The fate of the Unfaithful Steward, literally, "cut in two"; the Revised Version, margin "severely scourge him" (Matthew 24:51Luke 12:46). SeePUNISHMENTS.
Depart asunder (apochorizomai): Paul and Barnabas "departed asunder from one another" (Acts 15:39 the King James Version); the Revised Version (British and American) "parted asunder."
Divide asunder
(1) (hibhdil): Usually to separate, to make a division between. Here the reference is to the offering of pigeons or turtledoves (Leviticus 1:17;Leviticus 5:8).
(2) (merismos): From merizo, "to divide." The noun is abstract, "the act of dividing." The word of God pierces "even to the dividing of soul and spirit" (Hebrews 4:12).
Drive asunder (hittir): Lit. "to cause to tremble," then "to loosen." God "drove asunder the nations" (Habakkuk 3:6). Part asunder (hiphridh): With a preposition ben, "between," "to separate." The chariot and horses of fire "parted asunder" Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:11).
Pluck asunder (diaspao): To bear asunder, to part forcibly. "Chains had been plucked asunder" by the demoniac of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:4 the King James Version); the Revised Version (British and American) "rent asunder."
Put asunder (chorizo): To sever one from another. See the words of Jesus on divorce (Matthew 19:6Mark 10:9).
Rend asunder (nibhqa`): The same Hebrew word as "cleave asunder."
(1) "And No shall be rent asunder" (Ezekiel 30:16 the King James Version): the Revised Version (British and American) "broken up."
(2) the Revised Version (British and American) for the King James Version "plucked asunder" (Mark 5:4). Saw asunder (prizo or prio): The fate of some on the roll of faith, "They were sawn asunder" (Hebrews 11:37). See alsoPUNISHMENTS.
S. F. Hunter
CUTTING ASUNDER
SeeASUNDER;PUNISHMENTS.
SAWING ASUNDER
so'-ing a-sun'-der.
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Greek
1284. diarresso -- to tearasunder... to tear
asunder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diarresso Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ar-hrayce'-so) Short Definition: I tear
asunder Definition: I tear
...1282. diaprio -- to sawasunder, cut to the heart
... to sawasunder, cut to the heart. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaprio
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ap-ree'-o) Short Definition: I cut to the quick...
1288. diaspao -- to draw apart, tearasunder
... to draw apart, tearasunder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaspao Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-as-pah'-o) Short Definition: I tear apart, burst Definition...
1371. dichotomeo -- to cut in two, cutasunder
... to cut in two, cutasunder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dichotomeo Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-khot-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I cut in two, scourge...
673. apochorizo -- to separate, partasunder
... to separate, partasunder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apochorizo Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-okh-o-rid'-zo) Short Definition: I separate from Definition...
2997. lasko -- to crack noisily
... to crack noisily. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lasko Phonetic Spelling:
(las'-kho) Short Definition: I burstasunder with a loud noise Definition: I...
5563. chorizo -- to separate, divide
... 5563 (from 5561 , "open, vacated space") -- properly, separate, divide ("putasunder"),
ie depart, vacate; create "space" (which can be very or )....
4977. schizo -- to cleave, split
... to cleave, split. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: schizo Phonetic Spelling:
(skhid'-zo) Short Definition: I rend, divideasunder Definition: I rend...
4249. prizo -- to saw (in two)
... sawasunder. A strengthened form of a primary prio (to saw); to saw in two -- saw
asunder. (epristhesan) -- 1 Occurrence. 4248, 4249. prizo. 4250 ....
4486. rhegnumi -- to break apart, by ext. to throw down
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: rhegnumi Phonetic Spelling: (hrayg'-noo-mee) Short
Definition: I break, break forth Definition: I rend, breakasunder; I break...
Strong's Hebrew
5086. nadaph -- to drive, driveasunder... 5085, 5086. nadaph. 5087 . to drive, drive
asunder. Transliteration: nadaph
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-daf') Short Definition: driven. Word Origin a prim.
...1438. gada -- to hew, hew down or off
... Definition to hew, hew down or off NASB Word Usage break (1), break off (1), chopped
down (2), cut in pieces (1), cut it in pieces (1), cut ofasunder (1), cut...
5425. nathar -- to spring or start up
... to spring or start up. Transliteration: nathar Phonetic Spelling: (naw-thar') Short
Definition:asunder. driveasunder, leap, let loose, make, move, undo...
996. bayin -- an interval, space between
... once (1), or (1), whether (1), within (1). among,asunder, at, between twixt.
(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly...
1506. gezer -- part
... 1505, 1506. gezer. 1507 . part. Transliteration: gezer Phonetic Spelling:
(gheh'-zer) Short Definition:asunder. Word Origin from...
7112. qatsats -- cut off
... cutasunder, in pieces, in sunder, off, utmost. A primitive root; to chop off
(literally or figuratively) -- cut (asunder, in pieces, in sunder, off), X utmost....
6565. parar -- to break, frustrate
... breakasunder, cast off, cause to cease, clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint,
A primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively...
914. badal -- to be divided, separate
... make, put difference, divideasunder, make separate. A primitive root; to divide
(in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate...
1234. baqa -- to cleave, break open or through
... cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open -- make a breach, break forth (into,
out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out...
7489b. raa -- to break
... root Definition to break NASB Word Usage bad (1), break (1), breaks (1), broken
(1), brokenasunder (1), destroyed (1), ruin (1), smash (1), worthless (1)....
Library
How the Sea was DividedAsunder for the Hebrews, when they were...
... CHAPTER 16. How The Sea Was DividedAsunder For The Hebrews, When They Were Pursued
By The Egyptians, And So Gave Them An Opportunity Of Escaping From Them....
Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople; his Refusal to Receive Arius...
... Book II. Chapter XXIX."Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople; his Refusal to receive
Arius into Communion; Arius is burstasunder while seeking Natural Relief....
He Explains what it Means to Confess, and what it Means to...
... "Every one who dissolves Jesus is not of God." But to dissolve Him is to try to
rendasunder what is united in Jesus; and to sever what is but one and...
A Letter to Origen from Africanus About the History of Susanna.
... And when the one said, "Under a holm-tree" (prinos), he answered that the angel
would saw himasunder (prisein); and in a similar fashion menaced the other who...
Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... They were stoned; they were sawnasunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword;
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted...
Hebrews iv. 13-Nov
... For the word of God is quick [ie living] and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividingasunder of soul and spirit, and of...
Union of Christ and the Church.
... flesh," [6176] of Christ and the church, [6177] we must say that Christ keeping
the saying, "What God hath joined together let not man putasunder," [6178] did...
Prophets in their Country.
... And Isaiah is reported to have been sawnasunder by the people; and if any one does
not accept the statement because of its being found in the Apocryphal Isaiah...
Psalm II.
... 2. "Let us break their bondsasunder, and cast away their yoke from us" (ver.3).
Although it admits of another acceptation, yet is it more fitly understood as...
Matt. xix. 1
... So that they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man putasunder." [2380]. See a teacher's wisdom....
Thesaurus
Asunder (37 Occurrences)...ASUNDER.
... Break
asunder (1) (parpar): Job, in reply to Eliphaz, complains about
God, "I was at ease, and he brake me
asunder" (Job 16:12).
...Split (36 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tearasunder.... 6. (vi) To partasunder;
to be rent; to burst; as, vessels split by the freezing of water in them....
Divide (71 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To partasunder (a whole); to sever into two
or more parts or pieces; to sunder; to separate into parts....
Rend (35 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tearasunder; to
split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak....
Cleave (52 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide
itasunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that...
Cutting (178 Occurrences)
... Psalm 118:10, 11, 12); for "cut them in the (Jeremiah 49:26; Jeremiah
50:30); "sore wounded" for "cut in pieces". CUTTINGASUNDER....
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... The statement in Acts 1:18 that he "fell headlong and burstasunder in the midst,
and all his bowels gushed out," is in no way contrary to that in Matthew 27:5...
Iscariot (11 Occurrences)
... repentance nor the chief priests, but simply states that Judas "obtained a field
with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burstasunder in the...
Rent (76 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent
asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him: (ASV)....
Astyages
Resources
Who was Jeremiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.orgAsunder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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