Dictionaries :: Cloven

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Cloven:

klo'-v'-n: In the Old Testament, represented by a participle from shaca, "to split," and applied to beasts that divide the hoof (Le 11:3; De 14:7). Beasts with hoofs completely divided into two parts, that were also ruminant, were allowed the Israelites as food; see CUD; HOOF. In the New Testament, for diamerizomenai, in Ac 2:3 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "tongues parting asunder," i.e. "bifurcated flames." Another explanation found in the Revised Version, margin applies the word, not to tongues, but to the multitude, "parting among them," or "distributing themselves among them," settling upon the head of each disciple.

Written by H. E. Jacobs

King James Dictionary

Cloven: Separated; Divided Up.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them CLOVEN tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:1-3)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Cloven:

"to part asunder" (dia, "asunder," meros, "a part"), is translated "cloven" in the AV of Act 2:3, RV, "parting asunder."
See DIVIDE, PART.