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Unveiling the Word

In Biblical studies, Greek words often carry rich layers of meaning, providing deeper insights into the text. One such word is μυριάς (myriás), which occurs in Luke 12:1. This word is not only significant for understanding numerical concepts in the New Testament but also offers a window into ancient Greek culture and their perception of vast quantities. The word appears in contexts where the authors wish to convey the idea of innumerable or countless multitudes. By studying μυριάς, we uncover how early Christian writers conveyed the overwhelming nature of crowds or the vastness of divine creation.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μυριάς (myriás), pronounced mee-ree-AS.

Etymology: Derived from the root μυριος (myrios), meaning “ten thousand” or “countless, infinite.” This root emphasizes large, innumerable quantities, often used in both secular and religious Greek texts to describe multitudes or vast numbers.

Part of Speech: Noun, feminine. In terms of grammatical structure, μυριάς behaves as a regular noun in Greek and is often used in the plural form when referring to great multitudes.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Ten thousand: The primary meaning of μυριάς in ancient Greek refers to the specific number “ten thousand.” It was used both in mathematics and in everyday language to refer to this exact quantity.

2. Countless multitudes: More commonly, μυριάς was used in a figurative sense to describe vast numbers that seemed impossible to count. This meaning appears frequently in Biblical texts, where it conveys the idea of overwhelming crowds or divine, innumerable hosts.

3. Innumerable or infinite: In a hyperbolic or poetic context, μυριάς can also imply infinity, signifying something beyond human capacity to quantify. In Luke 12:1, for instance, the “multitude” of people refers to a crowd so large it was difficult to measure.

Exploring Similar Words

1. πλῆθος (plēthos) [pronunciation: PLAY-thos]: Refers to a “multitude” or “great number.” While similar in meaning to μυριάς, plēthos is often more general and not necessarily focused on vast, incalculable numbers.

2. ἀριθμός (arithmós) [pronunciation: ah-ree-THMOS]: Means “number” in Greek. Unlike μυριάς, arithmós refers to a precise count and is used more for mathematical and specific numerical references.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

• Nominative singular: μυριάς (used to indicate the subject of a sentence).

• Genitive singular: μυριάδος (indicating possession, such as “of the multitude”).

• Dative singular: μυριάδι (used for indirect objects, meaning “to the multitude”).

• Accusative singular: μυριάδα (used for direct objects, “the multitude”).

• Plural form: μυριάδες (multitudes), often used in Biblical texts to emphasize vast numbers beyond counting.

Declension: μυριάς follows the third declension pattern in Greek. Here is an example of its declension in the singular:

Case Singular

Nominative μυριάς

Genitive μυριάδος

Dative μυριάδι

Accusative μυριάδα

Studying Lexicon Insights

Greek lexicons consistently emphasize that μυριάς was used in both a literal and figurative sense. In its literal form, it specifically refers to “ten thousand,” but lexicons like BDAG and Thayer’s point out that the word often functions figuratively in New Testament contexts, as in Luke 12:1, to describe large, overwhelming numbers. Theological dictionaries also note the word’s use in Old Testament and Apocryphal texts, often symbolizing divine multitudes like angels or heavenly hosts. It conveys both human crowds and celestial beings, reinforcing the power and majesty of God’s presence.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Luke 12:1 – “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands [μυριάδων] had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak…”

2. Hebrews 12:22 – “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands [μυριάσιν] upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly…”

3. Revelation 5:11 – “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands [μυριάδες μυριάδων]…”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Greek Usage in Text

Herodotus Histories “…a μυριάς of soldiers marching…”

Plato Republic “…beyond the μυριάς of possible ideas…”

Septuagint Deuteronomy 33:2 “…the Lord came with μυριάδες of holy ones…”

Noteworthy Summary

Μυριάς (myriás) carries the dual sense of a literal “ten thousand” and a figurative “innumerable multitude.” Its usage in the New Testament often signifies vast crowds or celestial hosts, drawing attention to the overwhelming scope of what is being described. From a linguistic perspective, understanding μυριάς enhances the reader’s grasp of both the scale of human events and the majesty of divine occurrences.

Did You Know?

1. The word μυριάς is the origin of the English word “myriad,” used today to describe an indefinitely large number.

2. In classical Greek, μυριάς was sometimes used hyperbolically to describe something beyond human comprehension, especially in philosophical texts.

3. The Septuagint uses μυριάς frequently to describe the innumerable heavenly hosts that accompany God’s presence.