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πλείων

pleíōn

G4119 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root πλεί- more, greater, larger, majority

Definition

Comparative form meaning 'more,' indicating a greater quantity, number, or degree in comparison to another reference point. Used to express either a numerical or qualitative superiority. The term can refer to a larger amount, higher degree, greater extent, or majority depending on context.

Semantic Range

more (in quantity or degree), greater, larger, majority, the greater part, many, exceedingly, further, superior

Root / Etymology

Formed as the comparative of πολύς ('much, many'). The ending -ων indicates comparativeness in Greek adjectives.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλείων served as the standard comparative of πολύς, appearing in both masculine/feminine (πλείων) and neuter (πλέον) forms. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the word maintained this comparative function but could also function substantivally, meaning 'a greater number' or 'the majority.' In the Septuagint, it is frequently used to translate Hebrew terms denoting superiority in quantity or degree, not always precisely mirroring the nuance of the original Hebrew. In the New Testament, πλείων marks comparative quantity, number, or degree, sometimes referring simply to 'more' (e.g., food, people, words), and other times to 'the greater part' or 'majority' (e.g., Acts 19:32: οἱ πλείονος αὐτῶν -- 'most of them'). Standard English translations often render it as 'more,' 'greater,' or 'the majority,' but some nuances—such as qualitative or superlative connotations—may be flattened in translation, depending on context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

comparative of πολύς; more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion:--X above, + exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great(-er), long(-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, + yet but.

Root Family

πλείων (pleiōn) — more, greater, larger, majority

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4119-01 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S ACC N SG more more 12
G4119-08 πλείους pleious ADJ.S NOM M PL more the greater ones 9
G4119-02 πλείονα pleiona ADJ.A ACC N PL COMP more greater things 6
G4119-03 πλείονας pleionas ADJ.A ACC M PL COMP more more 6
G4119-05 πλειόνων pleionon ADJ.S GEN N PL many of more things 5
G4119-04 πλείονες pleiones ADJ.A NOM M PL COMP more part the greater ones 4
G4119-07 πλείοσιν pleiosin QUAN DAT M PL many to the greater number 2
G4119-09 πλέον pleon ADJ.A ACC N SG COMP greater more 2
G4119-06 πλείονος pleionos ADJ.S GEN F SG of greater amount 1

Occurrences in Scripture

47 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4119-01 Matthew 5:20 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S ACC N SG more
G4119-01 Matthew 6:25 πλεῖόν pleion ADJ.P NOM N SG more
G4119-01 Matthew 12:41 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S NOM N SG more
G4119-01 Matthew 12:42 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S NOM N SG more
G4119-01 Matthew 20:10 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S ACC N SG more
G4119-03 Matthew 21:36 πλείονας pleionas ADJ.A ACC M PL COMP more
G4119-01 Mark 12:43 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S ACC N SG more more
G4119-09 Luke 3:13 πλέον pleon ADJ.A ACC N SG COMP more more
G4119-01 Luke 7:43 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.A ACC N SG COMP more more
G4119-01 Luke 11:31 πλεῖον pleion ADJ.S NOM N SG something greater more
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