Brief Overview of πλεῖστος (Strong’s G4118: pleistos)

Strong’s G4118: The superlative form of πολύς (polys), meaning “most, very many, greatest in quantity.” In ancient Greek, it expressed the highest degree of numerical or quantitative comparison. In New Testament usage, it emphasizes the magnitude of events, particularly in contexts of miracles and judgment.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλεῖστος represents the ultimate degree of quantity or number in Greek, serving as the superlative form of πολύς. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts emphasizing the extent of Jesus’s miraculous works and the corresponding responsibility of those who witnessed them. This word carries particular weight in Jesus’s pronouncements of judgment on cities that saw His mighty works yet remained unrepentant. Early church writers used this term to emphasize both the abundance of God’s works and the gravity of rejecting them. Today, it continues to remind us of the relationship between divine revelation and human responsibility.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλεῖστος, pleistos, /PLICE-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLICE-toss (rhymes with “heist”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (superlative)

Etymology:

• Root: πολ- (pol-) meaning “many”
• Suffix: -ιστος (-istos) superlative ending
• Derived from πολύς through comparative πλείων

D – Defining Meanings

• Most numerous
• Greatest in quantity
• Very many

For compound words: Not a compound word, but represents the superlative form of πολύς

Translation Options:

• Most – Emphasizes the superlative nature
• Greatest number of – Captures the quantitative aspect
• Very many – Reflects the magnitude in less formal contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πολύς (polys) /pol-OOS/ – many, much (positive form)
  See G4183
• πλείων (pleiōn) /PLY-own/ – more (comparative form)
  See G4119

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjective Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Third

Examples:
Masculine: πλεῖστος, πλείστου, πλείστῳ, πλεῖστον
Feminine: πλείστη, πλείστης, πλείστῃ, πλείστην
Neuter: πλεῖστον, πλείστου, πλείστῳ, πλεῖστον

• Cross-references to positive πολύς and comparative πλείων

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its role in expressing ultimate quantity. Thayer’s notes its development as a superlative form. LSJ documents extensive usage in classical literature. Vine’s highlights its emphatic nature. Strong’s connects it to the concept of fullness. LEH provides Septuagint usage in quantitative contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples showing its force in everyday language.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” Matthew 11:20

Additional References:
Mark 4:1, 1 Corinthians 14:27

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Herodotus: Histories	“The Persians brought the greatest number of ships to the battle”
Thucydides: Peloponnesian War	“Athens suffered its most devastating losses during the plague”
Xenophon: Anabasis	“The Greeks found the most abundant provisions in this region”

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλεῖστος reminds us that with great revelation comes great responsibility. Jesus performed His most numerous miracles in certain cities, yet their rejection led to greater judgment. This word teaches us about God’s abundant demonstration of His power and truth, calling us to respond with faith and repentance to His generous revelation in Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term was used in ancient Greek mathematics to denote maximum values.
2. In legal documents, it indicated the majority opinion in court decisions.
3. Early Christian writers used it to describe the abundance of God’s grace.

Strong’s G4118: The superlative form of πολύς, expressing the highest degree of quantity or number. In New Testament usage, it emphasizes the magnitude of divine works and human responsibility, particularly in contexts of Jesus’s ministry and subsequent judgment.

Part of speech: Adjective (Superlative)

Tags: quantity, superlative, magnitude, judgment, miracles, responsibility, Matthew, Jesus’s ministry, biblical Greek, comparison, abundance, divine works​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​