← G3640 G3642 →

ὀλίγος

olígos

G3641 indefinite pronoun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary sense: little, small in quantity, size, number, or degree. The term describes a quantity or quality that is limited, sparse, or scant, as opposed to abundant (πολύς). Contextually, it may refer to: (1) a small amount or number ('few'), (2) shortness of duration ('brief, short time'), (3) limited degree or extent ('slight, minor'), (4) low value or significance ('unimportant, insignificant'), though this last sense is rare or peripheral. It contrasts with words expressing largeness or abundance.

Semantic Range

little in quantity, few in number, small in size, brief in duration, slight in degree, a little (adverbially), short (of time), minor, unimportant (rarely)

Root / Etymology

Root is ὀλίγ- (uncertain further origin; not clearly derived from a verb or other extant Greek noun), possibly formed through Greek diminutive/frequentative morphology. No definite Indo-European cognates established; etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀλίγος is attested from early classical Greek and is widespread throughout Greek literature, signifying smallness or scarcity of number, magnitude, duration, or value. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently contrasts with πολύς ('many, much'). In the NT, it is used both literally (e.g., 'few days', 'few fish') and metaphorically (e.g., 'little faith', μικρὰ πίστις). The neuter form ὀλίγον often functions adverbially ('a little', 'for a while', 'slightly'). Usage in Hellenistic and Koine Greek is essentially continuous with earlier periods, though occasionally acquires a pejorative nuance (insignificant, inadequate) depending on context. English translations ('few', 'little', 'brief', 'short', etc.) capture core senses, but may not always express the full range, especially when used idiomatically. Distinct from μικρός, which tends to focus on physical size rather than extent or degree; overlap occurs but ὀλίγος typically refers more to quantity or duration. Not to be confused with related adverbs or with numerical terms.

Translation Consistency

primary "little" 15 occurrences

Little best captures the broad, typical sense of ὀλίγος—small in amount, size, number, degree or duration—and works naturally as adjective/adverb ('a little', 'little time'). Although 'few' appears often, it’s narrower (count nouns) and would be awkward in many contexts; 'little' is more flexible and fits the usual NT usages.

Alternatives (17 occurrences):
"few" (12x) "small" (3x) "few (feminine)" (1x) "much" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.

Root Family

ὀλίγος (oligos) — small, few, little, slight

Root ὀλίγ- small, few, little, slight
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G36405 a little
G36435 a small (masculine singular) one; in a small way

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3641-07 ὀλίγοι oligoi PRO.I NOM M PL few few few 7
G3641-09 ὀλίγον oligon PRO.I ACC M SG little a little a little 6
G3641-01 ὀλίγα oliga QUAN ACC N PL a few a few (things) little (things) 6
G3641-06 ὀλίγῳ oligo PRO.I DAT N SG a short time in a little a little 4
G3641-03 ὀλίγας oligas PRO.I ACC F PL few few few 2
G3641-10 ὀλίγος oligos PRO.I NOM M SG small small small 2
G3641-04 ὀλίγην oligen QUAN ACC F SG little a little a little 1
G3641-05 ὀλίγης oliges PRO.I GEN F SG small of a little (fem. sg.) small 1
G3641-08 ὀλίγοις oligois QUAN DAT M PL a few to a few a few 1
G3641-02 ὀλίγαι oligai PRO.I NOM F PL a few few (feminine) few (feminine) 1

Occurrences in Scripture

32 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3641-07 Matthew 7:14 ὀλίγοι oligoi PRO.I NOM M PL few few few
G3641-07 Matthew 9:37 ὀλίγοι oligoi PRO.I NOM M PL few few few
G3641-01 Matthew 15:34 ὀλίγα oliga QUAN ACC N PL a few a few (things) little (things)
G3641-07 Matthew 22:14 ὀλίγοι oligoi PRO.I NOM M PL few few few
G3641-01 Matthew 25:21 ὀλίγα oliga PRO.I ACC N PL a little a few (things) little (things)
G3641-01 Matthew 25:23 ὀλίγα oliga PRO.I ACC N PL a few things a few (things) little (things)
G3641-08 Mark 6:5 ὀλίγοις oligois QUAN DAT M PL a few to a few a few
G3641-01 Mark 8:7 ὀλίγα oliga QUAN ACC N PL a few a few (things) a few
G3641-07 Luke 10:2 ὀλίγοι oligoi PRO.I NOM M PL few few few
G3641-03 Luke 12:48 ὀλίγας oligas PRO.I ACC F PL few few few
← G3640 Greek Lexicon G3642 →