πλεονεκτέω (G4122) — Greek Lexicon

πλεονεκτέω

pleonektéō

G4122 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take more than one's due, have an advantage over others, exploit, act with greed. The primary sense is to seek or take more than is rightfully due, especially by unjust or unfair means. Extended senses include exploiting someone's situation for personal gain, defrauding, or practicing various forms of overreaching, especially in economic or social interactions.

Semantic Range

to act with greed, to defraud, to exploit, to take unfair advantage, to gain at another's expense, to covetously make a gain

Root / Etymology

From the root πλεονεκτ-, based on πλείων (more, greater) and the verb ἔχω (to have), thus originally meaning 'to have more (than another)'. Closely connected with πλεονεξία (covetousness, greed), and the noun πλεονέκτης (one who is greedy or covetous). The verb form developed from the noun in Hellenistic Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical usage, the verb appears rarely and focuses on taking more than a fair share, particularly in legal or financial dealings. In the context of the Septuagint and New Testament, πλεονεκτέω takes on a specifically negative connotation: to act out of greed, to gain at another's expense, or to defraud. It often appears in moral admonitions, especially alongside prohibitions against other forms of injustice or immorality (cf. 1 Thess 4:6). The verb emphasizes not only the inner attitude of covetousness but also concrete actions—such as manipulation, overreaching, or exploitation. Standard English translations like 'defraud' or 'take advantage' can be too narrow, as the term covers a spectrum from general exploitation to outright fraud. This sense of wrongful advantage is broader than simple theft, including any means by which one person in a position of power or cunning gains excessive benefit at another's loss. In both Hellenistic moral philosophy and Jewish ethical teaching, πλεονεκτέω is one of several terms denoting improper desire for more than one’s due, closely related to but distinct from terms for avarice or theft.

Translation Consistency

primary "exploit" 4 occurrences

Covers the primary sense of taking unfair advantage, gaining at another’s expense, and acting with greed. ‘Exploit’ is natural, common English that fits the SILEX range (exploit/defraud/take advantage) and matches the majority of attested renderings.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"overreach for gain" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλεονέκτης; to be covetous, i.e. (by implication) to over-reach:--get an advantage, defraud, make a gain.

Root Family

πλεονεκτέω (pleonekteō) — to seek more, to possess in excess, to overreach

Root πλεονεκτ- to seek more, to possess in excess, to overreach

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4122-03`	ἐπλεονέκτησεν	epleonektesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	take advantage of	he overreached	he exploited	1
`G4122-01`	ἐπλεονέκτησα	epleonektesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	did I take advantage of	I overreached	I exploited	1
`G4122-04`	πλεονεκτεῖν	pleonektein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to defraud	to overreach for gain	to overreach for gain	1
`G4122-05`	πλεονεκτηθῶμεν	pleonektethomen	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P PL`	we might be taken advantage of	we might be exploited	we might be exploited	1
`G4122-02`	ἐπλεονεκτήσαμεν	epleonektesamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we have taken advantage of	we overreached	we exploited	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4122-05`	2 Corinthians 2:11	πλεονεκτηθῶμεν	pleonektethomen	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P PL`	we might be taken advantage of	we might be exploited	we might be exploited
`G4122-02`	2 Corinthians 7:2	ἐπλεονεκτήσαμεν	epleonektesamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we have taken advantage of	we overreached	we exploited
`G4122-01`	2 Corinthians 12:17	ἐπλεονέκτησα	epleonektesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	did I take advantage of	I overreached	I exploited
`G4122-03`	2 Corinthians 12:18	ἐπλεονέκτησεν	epleonektesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	take advantage of	he overreached	he exploited
`G4122-04`	1 Thessalonians 4:6	πλεονεκτεῖν	pleonektein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to defraud	to overreach for gain	to overreach for gain

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