The Greek adjective ἀναρίθμητος (anarithmētos) means “innumerable” or “countless.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “without,” and the root ῥιθμός (rhithmos), meaning “number” or “count.” The term describes something that cannot be easily counted or is beyond enumeration, often used to denote a vast or uncountable quantity.
Detailed Overview
According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀναρίθμητος (G382) is used in the New Testament to describe something that is too numerous to count. For example, in Hebrews 12:22, it refers to an innumerable company of angels, indicating a multitude so great that it surpasses any reasonable counting.
The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional detail by noting that ἀναρίθμητος conveys the idea of being beyond number or count. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts where a quantity or group is so large that it cannot be quantified or enumerated.
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this understanding by describing ἀναρίθμητος as referring to something that is “incalculable” or “countless.” It highlights its application in classical Greek to describe things that are so numerous that they defy precise measurement.
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In summary, ἀναρίθμητος primarily means “innumerable” or “countless,” reflecting a quantity that is too vast to count. This interpretation is consistent across Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in both biblical and classical Greek literature.
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