πρίζω G4249
to saw, saw in two; to cut with a saw
This verb means to saw or cut with a saw, specifically referring to the horrific method of execution or torture. In Hebrews 11:37, it appears in a catalog of sufferings endured by faithful witnesses—they were sawn in two. Tradition associates this death with the prophet Isaiah under King Manasseh, though the verse likely encompasses multiple martyrs. The term's graphic nature underscores the extreme persecution faithful believers sometimes faced.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The method of martyrdom in Hebrews 11:37—being sawn in two—representing extreme persecution. Jewish tradition held that Isaiah was sawn in two with a wooden saw during Manasseh's reign. Multilingual glosses convey the horrific action ('they-were-sawn-in-two', 'fueron-aserrados', 'scier', 'zersaegen'). This extreme suffering demonstrates faith's costliness and the length to which God's witnesses went rather than deny truth. 1×
AR["نُشِرُوا"]·ben["করাত-দিয়ে-কাটা-হল"]·DE["zersaegen"]·EN["they-were-sawn-in-two"]·FR["scier"]·heb["נִשְׂרְדוּ"]·HI["चीरे-गए,"]·ID["digergaji,"]·IT["epristhēsan"]·jav["dipungergàji"]·KO["퇱으로-쏄이고"]·PT["foram-serrados"]·RU["перепиливаемы-были"]·ES["fueron-aserrados"]·SW["walipasuliwa"]·TR["biçkille-biçildiler"]·urd["آرے-سے-چیرے-گئے"]
Related Senses
G0846 1. third-person pronoun reference (5552×)H???? 1. (4670×)H6213a 1. do, perform, act (2383×)G4160 1. do, act, perform (473×)H5221 1. Hifil: to strike in battle, smite enemies (362×)H0899b 1. garment, article of clothing (216×)H6213a 2. make, construct, fabricate (148×)H3772 1. cut a covenant / make a pact (97×)H5060 1. touch physically (Qal) (96×)H3615 1. complete a task (Piel) (85×)H3772 2. cut off / destroy (Hifil causative) (81×)H3920 1. capture, seize (Qal) (76×)H???? 12. (76×)H3772 3. be cut off / be eliminated (Niphal) (74×)H6213a 3. be done, be made (Niphal) (73×)G4160 2. make, construct, create (62×)H3847 1. Qal: put on, wear (60×)H8210 1. pour out (liquid/libation) (59×)G2440 1. garment or clothing (general) (54×)H4191 4. kill / put to death (Hifil causative) (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πρίζω, ={πρίω}, saw, Refs 5th c.BC+: imperfect ἔπριζον LXX __II file, ῥίνῃ πρίζειν Refs 2nd c.AD+