μικρός
mikrós
G3398 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Small in size, quantity, or significance; minor, of limited extent or importance. It can describe something physically small (objects, animals, people), a person of low status or influence, or something minor in degree or rank. In figurative use, it designates a thing, action, or person as unimportant, insignificant, or lesser in comparison to others.
Semantic Range
small in size, small in quantity, little in number, unimportant, insignificant, minor, of low status, least, youngest, lesser in rank or dignity
Root / Etymology
Primary adjective; not formed from another Greek word, but related to the root μικρ- (mikr-), which appears directly in comparisons of size in classical and later Greek. Cognate with Latin 'micrus' (rare), with Indo-European root *meǵh₂- (though the derivation is debated).
Historical & Contextual Notes
μικρός is widely used in classical Greek to denote 'small' in a literal sense, such as of size or quantity (e.g., a small hill, a young child). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term expands to include metaphorical senses—'of little account,' 'insignificant,' or 'inferior in rank.' In the Septuagint, μικρός translates various Hebrew words for 'small,' including קָטָן (qāṭān), often marking relative size, youth, or unimportance. In the New Testament, μικρός is used both literally ('little children,' 'small boat') and figuratively ('least of these,' 'the smallest commandment'), occasionally contrasting with μέγας (great). The term does not inherently carry a moral or negative connotation in Greek, though context may assign such nuances. Standard English translations often render μικρός as 'small,' 'little,' or 'least,' which generally capture the core meaning but may miss subtleties relating to social or hierarchical status. The word's function as a comparative or superlative ('lesser,' 'least') is context-dependent and can reflect cultural values of status or importance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):--least, less, little, small.
Root Family
μικρός (mikros) — small, little, minor
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G33985 | smaller thing |
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3398-05 |
μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
a little while | of small ones | 29 |
G3398-08 |
μικροὺς | mikrous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
small | small ones | 3 |
G3398-07 |
μικροῦ | mikrou | ADJ.R GEN M SG |
the least | of a small one | 3 |
G3398-01 |
μικρὰ | mikra | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
little | small (feminine singular) | 2 |
G3398-03 |
μικρῷ | mikro | ADJ.S DAT M SG |
small | to a small one | 1 |
G3398-02 |
μικρὰν | mikran | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
a small (feminine) one | 1 | |
G3398-04 |
μικροὶ | mikroi | ADJ.S VOC M PL |
small | O small ones | 1 |
G3398-06 |
μικρὸς | mikros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
small | small one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
41 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3398-05 |
Matthew 10:42 | μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Matthew 18:6 | μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Matthew 18:10 | μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Matthew 18:14 | μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Matthew 26:39 | μικρὸν | mikron | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Matthew 26:73 | μικρὸν | mikron | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
of small ones | |
G3398-05 |
Mark 9:42 | μικρῶν | mikron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
little ones | of small ones |
G3398-05 |
Mark 14:35 | μικρὸν | mikron | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
a little | of small ones |
G3398-05 |
Mark 14:70 | μικρὸν | mikron | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
a little while | of small ones |
G3398-07 |
Mark 15:40 | μικροῦ | mikrou | ADJ.R GEN M SG |
the less | of a small one |