διχάζω

I set at variance, make to be hostile

Definition

The verb διχάζω (dichazō) literally means 'to cut in two' or 'to divide asunder.' In its metaphorical sense, which is how it is used in the New Testament, it means to create division, to set at variance, or to make people hostile toward one another. This sense of causing deep relational splits is powerfully illustrated in its sole biblical occurrence, Matthew 10:35, where Jesus says His coming will 'set a man against his father.' The word implies a forceful, active creation of discord, not merely a passive state of disagreement.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 10:35. It appears in Jesus's discourse on the cost of discipleship, where He warns that His mission will not bring universal peace but will instead create sharp divisions, even within families. The context is prophetic, echoing Micah 7:6, and highlights the disruptive, separating effect that allegiance to Christ can have in a fallen world.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek root διχ- (dich-), meaning 'in two' or 'asunder.' It is related to the adjective δίχα (dicha, 'apart') and the verb διχοτομέω (dichotomeō, G1371, 'to cut in pieces'). The core idea is physical severing, which naturally extends to the metaphorical sense of creating division or hostility between people or groups.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the divisive nature of the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. It underscores the teaching that true peace (shalom) comes through Christ, but that accepting this peace often requires a decisive break from prior allegiances, including family, if they conflict with loyalty to God (Luke 14:26). It highlights the 'sword' that Jesus brings (Matthew 10:34)—not a literal weapon, but the penetrating, separating power of God's truth that demands a choice, creating a line between those who receive Him and those who do not.

In the highly collectivist culture of first-century Judaism and the Greco-Roman world, the family unit was the foundational pillar of social identity, stability, and honor. For Jesus to declare that His coming would actively 'set a man against his father' was a shocking and radical statement. It presented a direct challenge to the supreme cultural value of familial loyalty, asserting that allegiance to God's kingdom could—and sometimes must—supersede even these deepest earthly bonds.

μερίζω (merizō, G3307) — to divide or distribute, often into parts or shares, less focused on creating hostility. σχίζω (schizō, G4977) — to split or tear, can be physical (like the temple veil) or metaphorical for division, but not exclusively interpersonal. διχοτομέω (dichotomeō, G1371) — to cut in two or severely punish, emphasizing physical severing or judgment.

Word Details

Scripture References