Bible Dictionary
SEVER
To sever means to set apart, divide, or separate. In biblical usage it may describe ordinary separation, a special distinction made by God, or the final judicial division of the righteous and wicked.
Definition
To sever is to set apart, divide, or separate. The word may describe ordinary separation, a distinction made by God, or a final judicial division between different classes of people.
Biblical Usage
The biblical terms translated sever can refer to setting someone apart, miraculously distinguishing persons or things, or separating by personal choice. In Matthew, the Greek aphorizo denotes final judicial segregation.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sev'-er: The three Hebrew words badhal, palah and paradh are thus translated. The idea conveyed is that of setting apart (Le 20:26 the King James Version) or of setting someone or something apart in a miraculous way (Ex 8:22; 9:4 the King James Version, the English Revised Version), or, again, of simple separation on one's own volition (Jud 4:11 the King James Version, the English Revised Version). The Greek word aphorizo (Mt 13:49) stands for final judicial segregation.</p>