Brief Overview of πόσος (Strong’s G4214: posos)

Strong’s G4214: An interrogative adjective meaning “how much?” or “how great?” Used in New Testament contexts to express magnitude, especially in rhetorical questions highlighting spiritual truths. Often appears in Jesus’ teachings to emphasize the extent of spiritual realities.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πόσος functions as a question about quantity or magnitude. In the New Testament, it often appears in rhetorical questions designed to make hearers contemplate spiritual truths. Jesus uses it to emphasize the extent of spiritual darkness or light, while Paul employs it to stress the magnitude of God’s grace. Early church writers adopted this rhetorical pattern to highlight the vastness of divine truth. Today, it continues to challenge us to consider the full scope of spiritual realities.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πόσος, posos, PO-sos
• Detailed pronunciation: POH-sohs (stress on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Interrogative Adjective

Etymology:

• From Indo-European root *kwo- (interrogative)
• Related to Latin quantus
• Basic interrogative form without prefixes/suffixes

D – Defining Meanings

• How much?
• How great?
• How many?

Translation Options:

• “How much” – quantity focus
• “How great” – magnitude focus
• “To what extent” – broader scope

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τηλίκος (tēlikos, tay-LEE-kos) – so great – See G5082
• ὅσος (hosos, HO-sos) – as much as – See G3745
• τοσοῦτος (tosoutos, to-SOO-tos) – so much – See G5118

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Case: All cases
• Declension: 2nd/1st declension pattern

Examples:

• Masculine: πόσος
• Feminine: πόση
• Neuter: πόσον

Cross-references:

• Related adverb: ποσάκις (how often)
• Related pronouns: πόσοι/αι/α (how many)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its rhetorical usage. Thayer’s notes its quantitative force. LSJ documents classical interrogative patterns. Vine’s highlights its emphatic nature. Strong’s connects it to measurement concepts. LEH notes Septuagint rhetorical usage. Moulton and Milligan cite everyday questioning contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 6:23: “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, [πόσος] how great is that darkness!”

Additional References:
Matthew 12:12
Matthew 15:34
Mark 6:38
Mark 8:5

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πόσος challenges us to contemplate the magnitude of spiritual realities. Whether highlighting the depth of darkness without Christ or the greatness of God’s grace, it prompts us to consider the full scope of divine truth. This word reminds us that God’s work in our lives exceeds our limited human measurements.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient mathematical texts.
2. Early Christian sermons frequently used it in rhetorical questions.
3. It appears in ancient philosophical dialogues about virtue’s extent.

Strong’s G4214: An interrogative adjective meaning “how much?” or “how great?” Used in New Testament contexts to express magnitude, especially in rhetorical questions highlighting spiritual truths. Often appears in Jesus’ teachings to emphasize the extent of spiritual realities.

Part of speech: Interrogative Adjective

Tags: quantity, magnitude, rhetorical questions, Jesus’ teachings, spiritual measurement, emphasis, comparison, divine truth, extent, greatness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​