χωρίζω
chōrízō
G5563 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause separation, to divide or set apart, to cause to leave or be distant from; in passive or reflexive, to part, leave, or separate oneself. The term can connote both physical separation (as in distance or departure) and metaphorical separation (such as the dissolution of an association, relationship, or union).
Semantic Range
to divide, cause separation, set apart, break up (a relationship or union), depart, withdraw, leave, divorce, move away, separate oneself, be separated
Root / Etymology
From the root χωρ- (chōr-, meaning 'space', 'land', 'place', or 'area'), with the causative suffix -ίζω, indicating action to create space or division. Thus, χώρα ('region', 'space') gives rise to χωρίζω as 'to separate, to make space between'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, χωρίζω is attested from the 4th century BCE, generally meaning 'to separate' in both physical and abstract senses. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it is frequently used in documentary papyri for divorce or legal separation, and in general literature for departing or leaving. In the New Testament, χωρίζω is used for the dissolution of marital relationships (e.g., Matt 19:6; Mark 10:9) and for general separation or departure (e.g., Rom 8:35, 'who shall separate us from...'). English translations typically use 'separate', 'depart', 'put asunder', but these may not always reflect the possible legal or social force of the word in specific contexts. χωρίζω is related to, but stronger in sense than, terms like ἀποχωρέω ('to depart'), which stresses movement rather than division. In Jewish-Greek (Septuagint) and New Testament usage, the word can be both literal (physical departure) and metaphorical (spiritual or relational separation).
Translation Consistency
‘Separate’ best captures the full semantic range of χωρίζω — physical division, causing distance, and the breaking or setting apart of relationships (including divorce or withdrawing). It is the most natural, common English rendering across active, passive, and reflexive uses and matches the majority of existing P2 renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from χώρα; to place room between, i.e. part; reflexively, to go away:--depart, put asunder, separate.
Root Family
χωρ- (chōréō) — to make space, to have room, to contain, to accommodate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5562 | χωρέω | makes room |
| G5564 | χωρίον | small land parcels |
| G5565 | χωρίς | apart from |
| G672 | ἀποχωρέω | he/she withdraws |
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5563-06 |
χωρίζεσθαι | chorizesthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to depart | to be separated | to be separated | 2 |
G5563-09 |
χωριζέτω | chorizeto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let separate | let him separate himself | let him separate himself | 2 |
G5563-01 |
χωρίσαι | chorisai | V AOR ACT INF |
to separate | to separate | to separate | 1 |
G5563-02 |
χωρίσει | chorisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will separate | will separate | will separate | 1 |
G5563-03 |
χωρισθῇ | choristhe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
she is separated | may be separated | she may be separated | 1 |
G5563-04 |
χωρισθεὶς | choristheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having departed | having been separated | having been separated | 1 |
G5563-05 |
χωρισθῆναι | choristhenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to separate | to be separated | to be separated | 1 |
G5563-07 |
χωριζέσθω | chorizestho | V PRS PASS IMP 3P SG |
let him do so | let him separate himself | let him separate himself | 1 |
G5563-08 |
χωρίζεται | chorizetai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
separates | is being separated | is being separated | 1 |
G5563-10 |
ἐχωρίσθη | echoristhe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
he was separated | was separated | was separated | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5563-09 |
Matthew 19:6 | χωριζέτω | chorizeto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let separate | let him separate himself | let him separate himself |
G5563-09 |
Mark 10:9 | χωριζέτω | chorizeto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
separate | let him separate himself | let him separate himself |
G5563-06 |
Acts 1:4 | χωρίζεσθαι | chorizesthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to depart | to be separated | to be separated |
G5563-04 |
Acts 18:1 | χωρισθεὶς | choristheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having departed | having been separated | having been separated |
G5563-06 |
Acts 18:2 | χωρίζεσθαι | chorizesthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to depart | to be separated | to be separated |
G5563-02 |
Romans 8:35 | χωρίσει | chorisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will separate | will separate | will separate |
G5563-01 |
Romans 8:39 | χωρίσαι | chorisai | V AOR ACT INF |
to separate | to separate | to separate |
G5563-05 |
1 Corinthians 7:10 | χωρισθῆναι | choristhenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to separate | to be separated | to be separated |
G5563-03 |
1 Corinthians 7:11 | χωρισθῇ | choristhe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
she is separated | may be separated | she may be separated |
G5563-08 |
1 Corinthians 7:15 | χωρίζεται | chorizetai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
separates | is being separated | is being separated |
G5563-07 |
1 Corinthians 7:15 | χωριζέσθω | chorizestho | V PRS PASS IMP 3P SG |
let him do so | let him separate himself | let him separate himself |
G5563-10 |
Philemon 1:15 | ἐχωρίσθη | echoristhe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
he was separated | was separated | was separated |
G5563-11 |
Hebrews 7:26 | κεχωρισμένος | kechorismenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
separated | having been separated | having been separated |