μέγιστος
mégistos
G3176 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Superlative form denoting the greatest in size, status, importance, or degree; 'largest,' 'highest,' or 'most important.' The term conveys the utmost extent or preeminence among comparable entities, whether in physical magnitude, authority, honor, or value.
Semantic Range
greatest in size, largest; supreme in status or rank; highest in degree or extent; utmost, exceedingly exalted; most important or eminent
Root / Etymology
From the root μεγ- (as in μέγας, 'great, large'), with the superlative suffix -ιστος indicating the utmost degree or the greatest of all. Formed directly as the regular superlative of μέγας.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μέγιστος appears in both literary and documentary Koine as the standard superlative of μέγας, used for emphatic comparison. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, it could describe persons (the most powerful, most exalted), objects (the largest), or abstract qualities (the utmost, highest degree). In Septuagint and later Greek, μέγιστος could denote the utmost greatness, sometimes as an epithet for gods or rulers, emphasizing unrivaled status. Its use does not inherently contain religious or metaphysical nuance; such associations arise from context. English Bible translations often use 'greatest' or 'exceeding great,' but these may not always reflect the emphatic comparison or the breadth of application (to size, power, status, etc.). The word is formed as a standard Greek superlative, similar to the way English adds '-est,' and is regularly used outside biblical Greek as well.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
superlative of μέγας; greatest or very great:--exceeding great.
Root Family
μέγιστος (megistos) — great, large, important, supreme
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3176-01 |
μέγιστα | megista | ADJ.A ACC N PL SUPL |
very great | greatest things | very great | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3176-01 |
2 Peter 1:4 | μέγιστα | megista | ADJ.A ACC N PL SUPL |
very great | greatest things | very great |