ἐλαχιστότερος (G1647) — Greek Lexicon

ἐλαχιστότερος

elachistóteros

G1647 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Comparative form of 'smallest' or 'least'; describes being of even lower status, degree, or importance than all others, especially in ranking, dignity, merit, or esteem. Used to designate one who considers themselves less significant, less important, or inferior to all others in a group or set, often in a social, moral, or qualitative sense.

Semantic Range

less than the least, far less, inferior to all others, most unworthy, of even lower degree or rank than all comparisons

Root / Etymology

Formed as the comparative of ἐλάχιστος (smallest, least), itself the superlative of ἐλάχυς (small, little). ἐλαχιστότερος expresses an intensified comparison ('even less than least').

Historical & Contextual Notes

The form ἐλαχιστότερος (comparative of a superlative) is exceptional and rare in Greek, since Greek typically forms either the comparative or superlative, but seldom a comparative of a superlative. First attested in Koine prose, notably in epistolary contexts expressing humility or self-effacement (e.g., Pauline usage in the New Testament; Ephesians 3:8, 'the least of all the saints'). Classical Greek prefers ἔλαττων or ἐλάχιστος for comparison. Its use in the New Testament is a rhetorical intensification, conveying a more emphatic degree of humility or smallness than would be suggested by merely 'the least.' English translations often render as 'less than the least' or 'least of all,' but such phrases may not fully capture the rhetorical intensity of the form. No evidence for use in the Septuagint; the form is distinctive of Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian writings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

comparative of ἐλάχιστος; far less:--less than the least.

Root Family

ἐλαχιστότερος (elachistoteros) — small, little, least, inferior

Root ἐλαχ- small, little, least

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1647-01`	ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ	elachistotero	`ADJ.A DAT M SG COMP`	least	to the far-less-than-least one	far-less-than-least one	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1647-01`	Ephesians 3:8	ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ	elachistotero	`ADJ.A DAT M SG COMP`	least	to the far-less-than-least one	far-less-than-least one

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