UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Notes: It is possible that μείζων as an expression of degree differs somewhat in meaning from πλείων[b], even as in the positive degree a distinction seems to occur between μέγας[b] (78.2: μεγάλως / 78.2: μέγας / 78.2: μέγεθος) and πολύς[c] (78.3: πολύς). In the comparative forms, however, it seems difficult to substantiate this type of distinction.

Form 1

Part of speech: adjc.

Inflections: πολύς; πολλή; πολύ; πολύς; gen.; -οῦ; -ῆς; -οῦ

Sense 1: many, a great deal of, a great number of

Semantic entry: 59.1

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Many, Few [Countables]

Definition: a relatively large quantity of objects or events

Collocations: πλείων; πολύς

MAT 3:7: RV MAT 3:7 · LV MAT 3:7 · Read together MAT 3:7

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OET-RV MAT 3:7

7 But when Yohan saw many from the party of the Farisaios and from the Saddoukaios (Sadducee) sect coming for immersion, he told them, “You brood of snakes, who warned you all to flee from God’s severe anger that’s coming?

OET-LV MAT 3:7

7 But having _seen many of _the Farisaios_party and Saddoukaios_sect coming to the immersion of _him, he _said to _them:
Brood of _vipers, who warned to _you _all to _flee from the coming severe _anger?

MAT 7:13: RV MAT 7:13 · LV MAT 7:13 · Read together MAT 7:13

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OET-RV MAT 7:13

13 “Come in through the narrow gate, because there’s a big gateway and a wide path that leads away to destruction, and lots of people go that way.

OET-LV MAT 7:13

13 Come _in through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is broad which leading _away to the destruction, and many are the ones coming _in through it,

All 205 recorded passages for this sense

ROM: RV ROM 4:17–18 · RV ROM 5:15–16 · RV ROM 5:19 · RV ROM 8:29 · RV ROM 12:4–5 · RV ROM 15:23 · RV ROM 16:2 · LV ROM 4:17–18 · LV ROM 5:15–16 · LV ROM 5:19 · LV ROM 8:29 · LV ROM 12:4–5 · LV ROM 15:23 · LV ROM 16:2 · Read together ROM 4:17–18 · Read together ROM 5:15–16 · Read together ROM 5:19 · Read together ROM 8:29 · Read together ROM 12:4–5 · Read together ROM 15:23 · Read together ROM 16:2

GAL: RV GAL 1:14 · RV GAL 3:16 · RV GAL 4:27 · LV GAL 1:14 · LV GAL 3:16 · LV GAL 4:27 · Read together GAL 1:14 · Read together GAL 3:16 · Read together GAL 4:27

PHP: RV PHP 1:14 · RV PHP 3:18 · LV PHP 1:14 · LV PHP 3:18 · Read together PHP 1:14 · Read together PHP 3:18

TI2: RV TI2 3:9 · LV TI2 3:9 · Read together TI2 3:9

HEB: RV HEB 7:23 · RV HEB 12:15 · LV HEB 7:23 · LV HEB 12:15 · Read together HEB 7:23 · Read together HEB 12:15

JAM: RV JAM 3:2 · LV JAM 3:2 · Read together JAM 3:2

JN2: RV JN2 1:7 · LV JN2 1:7 · Read together JN2 1:7

Sense 2: much, great, extensive

Semantic entry: 59.11

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Much, Little [Masses, Collectives, Extensions]

Definition: a relatively large quantity

MAT 5:12: RV MAT 5:12 · LV MAT 5:12 · Read together MAT 5:12

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OET-RV MAT 5:12

12 Be happy and praising God because you’ll all have a wonderful reward in the heavens, because in the past they also persecuted the prophets like that.

OET-LV MAT 5:12

12 Be _rejoicing and be _exulting, because the reward of _you _all is great in the heavens, because/for thus they _persecuted the prophets which before you _all.

MAT 6:30: RV MAT 6:30 · LV MAT 6:30 · Read together MAT 6:30

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OET-RV MAT 6:30

30 So if God dresses the plants in the fields that are here today and thrown away tomorrow, won’t he care much more for you, you people with little faith?

OET-LV MAT 6:30

30 But if the god is_ thus _dressing the grass of _the field being today, and tomorrow being _thrown into the_furnace, not by _much more for _you _all, little _faith ones?

All 68 recorded passages for this sense

JHN: RV JHN 3:23 · RV JHN 5:6 · RV JHN 6:2 · RV JHN 6:5 · RV JHN 6:10 · RV JHN 7:12 · RV JHN 12:9 · RV JHN 12:24 · RV JHN 15:5 · RV JHN 15:8 · LV JHN 3:23 · LV JHN 5:6 · LV JHN 6:2 · LV JHN 6:5 · LV JHN 6:10 · LV JHN 7:12 · LV JHN 12:9 · LV JHN 12:24 · LV JHN 15:5 · LV JHN 15:8 · Read together JHN 3:23 · Read together JHN 5:6 · Read together JHN 6:2 · Read together JHN 6:5 · Read together JHN 6:10 · Read together JHN 7:12 · Read together JHN 12:9 · Read together JHN 12:24 · Read together JHN 15:5 · Read together JHN 15:8

ACT: RV ACT 11:21 · RV ACT 15:7 · RV ACT 16:16 · RV ACT 17:4 · RV ACT 20:2 · RV ACT 22:28 · RV ACT 27:10 · RV ACT 27:14 · RV ACT 27:21 · LV ACT 11:21 · LV ACT 15:7 · LV ACT 16:16 · LV ACT 17:4 · LV ACT 20:2 · LV ACT 22:28 · LV ACT 27:10 · LV ACT 27:14 · LV ACT 27:21 · Read together ACT 11:21 · Read together ACT 15:7 · Read together ACT 16:16 · Read together ACT 17:4 · Read together ACT 20:2 · Read together ACT 22:28 · Read together ACT 27:10 · Read together ACT 27:14 · Read together ACT 27:21

ROM: RV ROM 3:2 · RV ROM 5:9–10 · RV ROM 5:15 · RV ROM 5:17 · LV ROM 3:2 · LV ROM 5:9–10 · LV ROM 5:15 · LV ROM 5:17 · Read together ROM 3:2 · Read together ROM 5:9–10 · Read together ROM 5:15 · Read together ROM 5:17

CO1: RV CO1 12:22 · LV CO1 12:22 · Read together CO1 12:22

CO2: RV CO2 8:4 · RV CO2 8:15 · LV CO2 8:4 · LV CO2 8:15 · Read together CO2 8:4 · Read together CO2 8:15

PHP: RV PHP 1:23 · RV PHP 2:12 · LV PHP 1:23 · LV PHP 2:12 · Read together PHP 1:23 · Read together PHP 2:12

COL: RV COL 4:13 · LV COL 4:13 · Read together COL 4:13

TH1: RV TH1 1:5–6 · RV TH1 2:2 · RV TH1 2:17 · LV TH1 1:5–6 · LV TH1 2:2 · LV TH1 2:17 · Read together TH1 1:5–6 · Read together TH1 2:2 · Read together TH1 2:17

JAM: RV JAM 3:2 · LV JAM 3:2 · Read together JAM 3:2

Sense 3: great, greatly, much, a great deal

Semantic entry: 78.3

Semantic domains: Degree

Subdomains: Much, Little [Positive-Negative Degree]

Definition: the upper range of a scale of extent, but probably somewhat less than for μέγας [source selector 000001][b], μεγάλως, and μέγεθος (78.2: μεγάλως / 78.2: μέγας / 78.2: μέγεθος)

Notes: In RV MRK 3:12 · LV MRK 3:12 · Read together MRK 3:12 πολλά indicates only degree, but it may be rendered in English as ‘sternly’ because part of the meaning of ἐπετίμα may be appropriately transferred to the adverbial attributive so as to express the extent and nature of the warning. In RV ACT 21:40 · LV ACT 21:40 · Read together ACT 21:40 the phrase πολλῆς δὲ σιγῆς γενομένης refers to the fact that the crowd became very quiet. πολλῆς clearly indicates the degree of quietness, though in many languages one cannot speak of something being ‘very quiet’; on the contrary, such a state can only be described in terms of the absence of noise, for example, ‘when nobody was saying anything.’

MAT 2:18: RV MAT 2:18 · LV MAT 2:18 · Read together MAT 2:18

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OET-RV MAT 2:18

18 The sound of terrible weeping and mourning was heard in Ramah;
⇔ Rahel (Rachel) weeping for her children, and she didn’t want to be comforted,
⇔ because her children were no more.

OET-LV MAT 2:18

18 A_voice in Ɽama/(Rāmāh) was _heard, weeping and great mourning, Ɽaⱪaʸl/(Rāḩēl) weeping for _the children of _her, and was_ not _wanting to _be _comforted, because they _are not.

MAT 4:25: RV MAT 4:25 · LV MAT 4:25 · Read together MAT 4:25

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OET-RV MAT 4:25

25 Large crowds from Galil and Dekapolis and Yerushalem (Jerusalem), and from all of Yehudah (Judea) and even beyond the Yarden (Jordan) River, followed after Yeshua.

OET-LV MAT 4:25

25 And great crowds followed after _him from the Galilaia, and the_Dekapolis, and Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), and Youdaia, and beyond the Yordanaʸs/(Yardēn).

All 60 recorded passages for this sense

MAT: RV MAT 2:18 · RV MAT 4:25 · RV MAT 8:1 · RV MAT 13:2 · RV MAT 15:30 · RV MAT 19:2 · RV MAT 19:22 · RV MAT 24:30 · LV MAT 2:18 · LV MAT 4:25 · LV MAT 8:1 · LV MAT 13:2 · LV MAT 15:30 · LV MAT 19:2 · LV MAT 19:22 · LV MAT 24:30 · Read together MAT 2:18 · Read together MAT 4:25 · Read together MAT 8:1 · Read together MAT 13:2 · Read together MAT 15:30 · Read together MAT 19:2 · Read together MAT 19:22 · Read together MAT 24:30

JHN: RV JHN 12:12 · LV JHN 12:12 · Read together JHN 12:12

ROM: RV ROM 5:17 · RV ROM 9:22 · RV ROM 15:22 · RV ROM 16:6 · RV ROM 16:12 · LV ROM 5:17 · LV ROM 9:22 · LV ROM 15:22 · LV ROM 16:6 · LV ROM 16:12 · Read together ROM 5:17 · Read together ROM 9:22 · Read together ROM 15:22 · Read together ROM 16:6 · Read together ROM 16:12

CO1: RV CO1 2:3 · RV CO1 16:12 · LV CO1 2:3 · LV CO1 16:12 · Read together CO1 2:3 · Read together CO1 16:12

CO2: RV CO2 2:4 · RV CO2 3:9 · RV CO2 3:11–12 · RV CO2 6:4 · RV CO2 7:4 · RV CO2 8:2 · RV CO2 8:22 · LV CO2 2:4 · LV CO2 3:9 · LV CO2 3:11–12 · LV CO2 6:4 · LV CO2 7:4 · LV CO2 8:2 · LV CO2 8:22 · Read together CO2 2:4 · Read together CO2 3:9 · Read together CO2 3:11–12 · Read together CO2 6:4 · Read together CO2 7:4 · Read together CO2 8:2 · Read together CO2 8:22

EPH: RV EPH 2:4 · LV EPH 2:4 · Read together EPH 2:4

TH1: RV TH1 1:5–6 · RV TH1 2:2 · LV TH1 1:5–6 · LV TH1 2:2 · Read together TH1 1:5–6 · Read together TH1 2:2

TI2: RV TI2 4:14 · LV TI2 4:14 · Read together TI2 4:14

PE1: RV PE1 1:3 · LV PE1 1:3 · Read together PE1 1:3

Sense 4: the most, not more than

Semantic entry: 59.8

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Many, Few [Countables]

Definition: the largest number of objects or events possible under the circumstances

Collocations: τὸ πλεῖστον

CO1 14:27: RV CO1 14:27 · LV CO1 14:27 · Read together CO1 14:27

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OET-RV CO1 14:27

27 If there’s any speaking in other languages, it should be two or three people at most, taking turns and someone should translate.

OET-LV CO1 14:27

27 If _also with_a_tongue anyone is _speaking, by two or the most three, and each in _turn let _it _be, and one let _be _interpreting.

Sense 5: more, more than, to a greater degree, even more

Semantic entry: 78.28

Semantic domains: Degree

Subdomains: More Than, Less Than [Comparative Degree]

Definition: a degree which surpasses in some manner a point on an explicit or implicit scale of extent{N:001}

Collocations: πλείων

MAT 5:20: RV MAT 5:20 · LV MAT 5:20 · Read together MAT 5:20

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OET-RV MAT 5:20

20 Let me tell all of you, unless you’re more godly than the religious teachers and the Farisaios, there’s no way that you’ll get to enter the heavenly kingdom.

OET-LV MAT 5:20

20 For/Because I _am _saying to _you _all that if the righteousness of _you _all not may _be _plentiful more of _the scribes and Farisaios_party, by _no _means you _all _may_ not _come _in into the kingdom of _the heavens.

MAT 6:25: RV MAT 6:25 · LV MAT 6:25 · Read together MAT 6:25

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OET-RV MAT 6:25

25 “So that’s why I’m telling you all not to worry about your worldly life—things like what you’ll eat or drink, or how you look and what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

OET-LV MAT 6:25

25 Because _of this I _am _saying to _you _all, be_ not _worrying for _the life of _you _all, what you _all _may _eat or what you _all _may _drink, nor for _the body of _you _all what you _all _may _dress _in.
Not the life is more than the food, and the body than the clothing?

All 17 recorded passages for this sense

MAT: RV MAT 5:20 · RV MAT 6:25 · RV MAT 12:41–42 · LV MAT 5:20 · LV MAT 6:25 · LV MAT 12:41–42 · Read together MAT 5:20 · Read together MAT 6:25 · Read together MAT 12:41–42

MRK: RV MRK 12:43 · LV MRK 12:43 · Read together MRK 12:43

LUK: RV LUK 3:13 · RV LUK 7:42–43 · RV LUK 11:31–32 · RV LUK 12:23 · RV LUK 21:3 · LV LUK 3:13 · LV LUK 7:42–43 · LV LUK 11:31–32 · LV LUK 12:23 · LV LUK 21:3 · Read together LUK 3:13 · Read together LUK 7:42–43 · Read together LUK 11:31–32 · Read together LUK 12:23 · Read together LUK 21:3

JHN: RV JHN 21:15 · LV JHN 21:15 · Read together JHN 21:15

ACT: RV ACT 4:17 · RV ACT 15:28 · LV ACT 4:17 · LV ACT 15:28 · Read together ACT 4:17 · Read together ACT 15:28

TI2: RV TI2 2:16 · RV TI2 3:9 · LV TI2 2:16 · LV TI2 3:9 · Read together TI2 2:16 · Read together TI2 3:9

Sense 6: more appropriate, better, more acceptable

Semantic entry: 66.11

Semantic domains: Proper, Improper

Definition: pertaining to being more appropriate or fitting

Collocations: πλείων

HEB 11:4: RV HEB 11:4 · LV HEB 11:4 · Read together HEB 11:4

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OET-RV HEB 11:4

4 By faith Hevel (Abel) offered a more satisfactory sacrifice to God than Kayin (Cain), and as a result, he was declared to be righteous when God testified about his gifts, and through his faith, he still speaks despite being long dead.

OET-LV HEB 11:4

4 By _faith a_more excellent sacrifice, Abel/(Heⱱel) than Kain/(Qayin) offered to_ the _god, through which he _was _attested to _be righteous, testifying to the gifts of _him the of_god, and through it, having _died _off still he _is _speaking.

Sense 7: often, many times

Semantic entry: 67.11

Semantic domains: Time

Subdomains: A Point of Time without Reference to Other Points of Time: Time, Occasion, Ever, Often

Definition: a number of related points of time

Collocations: πολλά

MAT 9:14: RV MAT 9:14 · LV MAT 9:14 · Read together MAT 9:14

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OET-RV MAT 9:14

14 Then Yohan’s (John; Grk. Yoannes) apprentices approached Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and said, “How come we and the Farisaios fast regularly, but your apprentices don’t fast?”

OET-LV MAT 9:14

14 Then the apprentices/followers of _Yōannaʸs are _approaching to _him saying:
For/Because_ why _reason we and the Farisaios_party are _fasting, but the apprentices/followers of _you are_ not _fasting?

MRK 5:10: RV MRK 5:10 · LV MRK 5:10 · Read together MRK 5:10

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OET-RV MRK 5:10

10 and he begged Yeshua not to send them out of the country.

OET-LV MRK 5:10

10 And he _was _imploring him much that he _may_ not _send _out them out the country.

All 3 recorded passages for this sense

MAT: RV MAT 9:14 · LV MAT 9:14 · Read together MAT 9:14

MRK: RV MRK 5:10 · LV MRK 5:10 · Read together MRK 5:10

ROM: RV ROM 15:22 · LV ROM 15:22 · Read together ROM 15:22

Sense 8: long, long time, for some time

Semantic entry: 67.89

Semantic domains: Time

Subdomains: Duration of Time without Reference to Points or Units of Time: Time, Spend Time, Always, Eternal, Old, Immediately, Young

Definition: pertaining to a relatively long duration of time

Collocations: ἐπὶ πολύ

ACT 20:9: RV ACT 20:9 · LV ACT 20:9 · Read together ACT 20:9

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OET-RV ACT 20:9

9 Now there was a young man named Eutukos who was sitting on the window sill, and as Paulos went on, he fell asleep and toppled down from the third storey. The ones who reached him first thought he was dead,

OET-LV ACT 20:9

9 And a_certain young _man by_the_name Eutuⱪos sitting by the window, being _overcome by_ deep _sleep, the as_ Paulos _discussing on more, having _been _overcome by the sleep, he _fell down from the third _story, and was _taken _up dead.

ACT 28:6: RV ACT 28:6 · LV ACT 28:6 · Read together ACT 28:6

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OET-RV ACT 28:6

6 The locals were waiting for his arm to swell up or for him to fall down dead, but after a while when nothing happened they changed their minds and decided that instead, he must be a god.

OET-LV ACT 28:6

6 But they were _expecting him to _be _going to _be _being _swelled _up, or to _be _falling _down suddenly dead.
But over much time, them waiting and observing nothing amiss becoming to him, having _changed _their _minds they _were _saying him to _be a_god.

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

πολύς

Form 1

Sense 1: many, a great deal of, a great number of

Sense 2: much, great, extensive

Sense 3: great, greatly, much, a great deal

Sense 4: the most, not more than

Sense 5: more, more than, to a greater degree, even more

Sense 6: more appropriate, better, more acceptable

Sense 7: often, many times

Sense 8: long, long time, for some time