In the context of biblical history and theology, "splits" often refer to divisions or separations among people, tribes, or nations, particularly those that have significant spiritual or covenantal implications. The Bible records several notable splits that have shaped the narrative of God's people and His unfolding plan of redemption.

1. The Division of the Kingdom:

One of the most significant splits in the Bible is the division of the united monarchy of Israel into two separate kingdoms. After the reign of Solomon, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. Due to Rehoboam's harsh policies and refusal to lighten the heavy burdens imposed by his father, ten tribes of Israel rebelled against his rule. This led to the formation of the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, while Rehoboam retained control over the southern kingdom of Judah. This division is recorded in 1 Kings 12:16-20:

"When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: 'What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!' So the Israelites went home, but Rehoboam reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah."

This split had profound religious and political consequences, leading to distinct identities and eventual captivities for both kingdoms.

2. The Separation of Abraham and Lot:

Another significant split occurred between Abraham and his nephew Lot. As their herds and flocks grew, strife arose between their herdsmen, prompting Abraham to propose a separation to maintain peace. This event is detailed in Genesis 13:8-9:

"So Abram said to Lot, 'Please let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.'"

Lot chose the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley, while Abraham remained in Canaan. This separation allowed God to further His covenantal promises to Abraham without the complications of Lot's presence.

3. The Split between Paul and Barnabas:

In the New Testament, a notable split occurred between the apostles Paul and Barnabas. This division arose over a disagreement regarding John Mark's participation in their missionary journey. Acts 15:39-40 records this event:

"They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord."

Despite the separation, God used this split to expand the missionary efforts, as both pairs continued to spread the Gospel in different regions.

4. Theological and Doctrinal Splits:

Throughout church history, splits have also occurred over theological and doctrinal issues. While not directly recorded in Scripture, these divisions often stem from differing interpretations of biblical texts and teachings. The early church faced challenges such as the Judaizer controversy, which Paul addresses in Galatians, emphasizing justification by faith apart from the works of the Law (Galatians 2:16).

5. Spiritual Implications:

Splits, whether among individuals, tribes, or nations, often serve as a backdrop for God's sovereign purposes. They highlight human frailty and the consequences of sin, yet they also demonstrate God's ability to work through division to accomplish His divine will. The Bible encourages unity among believers, as seen in Jesus' prayer for His followers in John 17:21:

"That all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You sent Me."

In summary, splits in the biblical narrative underscore the tension between human conflict and divine providence, reminding believers of the call to unity and faithfulness in the body of Christ.6398. palach -- to cleave
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to cleave NASB Word Usage bring forth (1),
pierces through (1), plows (1), sliced (1), splits my open (1). ...
/hebrew/6398.htm - 6k

1234. baqa -- to cleave, break open or through
... hatch (2), hews (1), invaded (1), make for ourselves a breach (1), rip (1), ripped
(1), ripped open (2), shook (1), split (7), split open (1), splits (1), tear ...
/hebrew/1234.htm - 6k

A Parable of the Ant
... winter. And it splits the grain in two lest it should sprout and be spoiled,
and be of no use when nothing can be gathered anymore. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxvii a parable of.htm

Exposition of the Present State of the Churches.
... Jealousy of authority and the lust of individual mastery splits the sailors
into parties which deal mutual death to one another. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxx exposition of the.htm

Mr. HG Wells and the Giants
... When a man splits a grain of sand and the universe is turned upside down in consequence,
it is difficult to realize that to the man who did it, the splitting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/v mr h g wells and.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... and a snare. It led, they declared, to wordy battles, to quarrels, to splits,
to uncertainties, to doubts, to corruptions. As long ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

Periods of Church History.
... Western Christendom now splits into two hostile parts"one remaining on the old path,
the other striking out a new one; while the eastern church withdraws ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 4 periods of church.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... When once self-regard gets in, it is like the trickle of water in the cracks of
a rock, which freezes in winter and splits the hardest stone. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

Some Errors.
... mutual help? THE SPLITTING OF THE CHURCH. A few uninformed persons say that
"holiness splits the church." But this is false. When men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter ii some errors.htm

On Earthly Things
... things. [Ps.28(29):9 Vulgate]. The wood is sinners consigned to the fires;
in Ecclesiastes: he who splits the wood, tests it. The ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iii on earthly things.htm

The Maniac
... The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks
to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... The desert must then be trodden; Jehovah marches in front, and scatters manna with
both his hands; he splits the rock, and sends out a living stream. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

Splits (3 Occurrences)
...Splits (3 Occurrences). Mark 3:25 and if a family splits into parties, that family
cannot continue. (WEY). ... He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. ...
/s/splits.htm - 7k

Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... The main road from the South splits a little to the East, one arm leading westward
through the pass, the other going more directly to the North. ...
/j/jacob's.htm - 23k

Injured (28 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them.
Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby. (WEB NIV). ...
/i/injured.htm - 15k

Flag (30 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) A flat stone used for paving. 15. (n.) Any hard, evenly stratified
sandstone, which splits into layers suitable for flagstones. 16. ...
/f/flag.htm - 18k

River (189 Occurrences)
... that water the earth (Genesis 2:10). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.)
One who rives or splits. 2. (n.) A large stream of water ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

Endangered (3 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits
wood may be endangered thereby. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/endangered.htm - 7k

Pours (21 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Job 16:13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart,
and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/p/pours.htm - 11k

Parties (13 Occurrences)
... (n.) Plural of Party. Multi-Version Concordance Parties (13 Occurrences). Mark
3:25 and if a family splits into parties, that family cannot continue. (WEY). ...
/p/parties.htm - 10k

Pierces (8 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). Job 16:13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and
does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground. (See NIV). ...
/p/pierces.htm - 8k

Continue (144 Occurrences)
... way." (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). Mark 3:25 and if a family splits into parties,
that family cannot continue. (WEY). Mark 8:2 I have compassion ...
/c/continue.htm - 36k

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