The concept of "one-half" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing division, fairness, or a portion of a whole. It is used both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the cultural, legal, and spiritual dimensions of biblical times.

Old Testament References

1. Solomon's Wisdom: One of the most famous instances involving "one-half" is the judgment of King Solomon. In 1 Kings 3:25, Solomon proposes to divide a living child in half to determine the true mother: "Then the king declared, 'Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.'" This account highlights Solomon's wisdom and the value of discernment in leadership.

2. Division of Spoils: In the context of war and victory, the division of spoils often involved giving one-half to the warriors and one-half to the community. Numbers 31:27 states, "Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation." This practice ensured fairness and communal sharing of resources.

3. Offerings and Tithes: The concept of dividing portions is also seen in the offerings and tithes. Leviticus 6:26 mentions the priest's share of the offerings: "The priest who offers it shall eat it; it must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting." While not explicitly mentioning "one-half," the division of offerings underscores the principle of sharing sacred portions.

New Testament References

1. Zacchaeus' Repentance: In the New Testament, the account of Zacchaeus illustrates the use of "one-half" in the context of repentance and restitution. In Luke 19:8, Zacchaeus declares, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold." Here, "one-half" signifies a significant act of generosity and transformation.

2. Parables and Teachings: While not always explicitly using the term "one-half," Jesus' parables often involve division and allocation, teaching lessons on stewardship, fairness, and the kingdom of God. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) reflect these themes.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The use of "one-half" in the Bible often symbolizes the need for balance, justice, and equitable distribution. It serves as a reminder of God's desire for fairness and righteousness among His people. The division of resources, whether in war, offerings, or personal possessions, reflects a broader theological principle of stewardship and responsibility.

In biblical numerology, the number two, which is implicit in the concept of "one-half," can represent division or duality but also partnership and covenant. This duality is evident in the creation narrative, where God creates man and woman as complementary halves of humanity (Genesis 2:21-24).

Overall, the concept of "one-half" in the Bible underscores the importance of justice, wisdom, and generosity, reflecting God's character and His expectations for His people.4568. saton -- seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. to about one and a ...
... a large measure equivalent to nearly three English gallons" (Souter); the measure
for grain, "about a peck and a half or somewhat less than one-half bushel (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4568.htm - 7k

4083. pechus -- the forearm, ie a cubit
... 4083 -- "traditionally the distance from the elbow to the end of the fingers, about
eighteen inches or one-half meter -- 'cubit, eighteen inches, half meter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4083.htm - 6k

Letter xii. Improvement of Time. Present Obligation.
... active employments. Sleeping, refreshment, and personal duties, generally
occupy at least one half of the twenty-four hours. You ...
/.../letter xii improvement of time.htm

Letter Lxxxiii. (AD 405. )
... 2. You proposed that they should have the one half [of the property left by Honoratus],
and that the other half should be made up to them by me from such ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxiii a d 405.htm

Nothing Has Greater Effect in Gaining Good-Will than Giving Advice ...
... Then the king commanded a sword to be brought and the infant to be cut in half,
and either piece to be given to one, one half to the one, and one half to the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii nothing has greater.htm

Slavery of Redemptioners.
... Cruelly Deceived by the Newlanders."Toward the middle of the eighteenth century
there were some 80,000 Germans in Pennsylvania, almost one-half of the entire ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

He Moves to Mt. Byrd. Debate with JW Fitch. Preaches at Madison ...
... But in May I was called to preach for the church in Madison, Ind., one-half
my time. ... In 1873 I gave one-half my time to holding meetings. ...
/.../chapter xiv he moves to.htm

Concerning a Stratagem that was Devised by the Jews, by which they ...
... that is now wanting to complete the calamities of us Jews." As soon as she had said
this, she slew her son, and then roasted him, and eat the one half of him ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning a stratagem.htm

How the War was Waged against the Ammonites and Happily Concluded.
... princes spake what was more probable than the truth would admit, and so abused the
ambassadors after a very harsh manner; for he shaved the one half of their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the war.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... than to be any longer under the oppression of the family of Herod; which request
of theirs Augustus did not now grant them, but did it for the one half of that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

Mother of Mercy
... 4. They know but little of Thy worth Who speak the heartless words to me, For
what did Jesus love on earth One half so tenderly as thee? ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 77 mother of mercy.htm

History of the Mt. Byrd Church. When Established. Where. Charter ...
... Robert Moffett, at the crossing of the Strother and Cooper roads, about two and
one-half miles from the other house, and one and one-half south of Milton. ...
/.../chapter xiii history of the.htm

One-half (4 Occurrences)
One-half. One-god, One-half. Oneness . Multi-Version Concordance
One-half (4 Occurrences). Numbers 15:9 then shall he ...
/o/one-half.htm - 7k

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)
... In 1837 about one-half of the inhabitants perished by an earthquake. The population
of the city is now about six thousand, nearly the one-half being Jews. ...
/t/tiberias.htm - 15k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... called Er Risheh) rising 150 feet above the plain runs obliquely across it for a
distance of 10 miles, narrowing it up to a breadth of about one-half mile. ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Cosmological
... Belus appears, cuts the woman in twain, of onehalf of her makes the heavens, and
of the other the earth, sets the world in order, finally makes one of the ...
/c/cosmological.htm - 33k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... of the day (2 Chronicles 24:4-14 Nehemiah 10:32; note here the emphasis laid upon
the offering as voluntary, and the variation in amount from one-half to one ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... of the day (2 Chronicles 24:4-14 Nehemiah 10:32; note here the emphasis laid upon
the offering as voluntary, and the variation in amount from one-half to one ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Undivided (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not set off, as a share in a firm; not made actually separate by division;
as, a partner, owning onehalf in a firm, is said to own an undivided half ...
/u/undivided.htm - 8k

One-god (2 Occurrences)
One-god. One-fourth, One-god. One-half . Multi-Version Concordance One-god
(2 Occurrences). ... (WEB). One-fourth, One-god. One-half . Reference Bible.
/o/one-god.htm - 6k

Oneness (2 Occurrences)

/o/oneness.htm - 7k

Long (2810 Occurrences)
... See Short, a., 13, and Guide to Pronunciation, // 22, 30. 8. (n.) A note formerly
used in music, onehalf the length of a large, twice that of a breve. ...
/l/long.htm - 8k

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