1641. elattoneó

Lexicon

elattoneó: To diminish, to make less, to decrease

Original Word: ἐλαττονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: elattoneó
Pronunciation: eh-lat-ton-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (el-at-ton-eh-o)
Definition: To diminish, to make less, to decrease
Meaning: I have less, lack.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

have lack.

From elasson; to diminish, i.e. Fall short -- have lack.

see GREEK elasson

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from elassón
Definition
to be less
NASB Translation
had...lack (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1641: ἐλαττονέω

ἐλαττονέω (Buttmann, 7), ἐλαττόνω: 1 aorist ἠλαττόνησα; (ἔλαττον); not found in secular authors (yet see Aristotle, de plant. 2, 3, p. 825a, 23); to be less, inferior (in possessions): 2 Corinthians 8:15 from Exodus 16:18. (Proverbs 11:24; Sir. 19:6 (Sir. 19:5); also transitively, to make less, diminish: Genesis 8:3; Proverbs 14:34; 2 Macc. 13:19, etc.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word ἐλάσσων (elassōn), meaning "less" or "inferior."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H4591 מָעַט (ma'at): To be or become small, diminished, or insignificant.
• H8213 שָׁפֵל (shafel): To be low, humble, or abased.

These Hebrew terms share a similar semantic range with ἐλαττονέω, emphasizing reduction, humility, and the lowering of status or quantity. They are often used in the Old Testament to describe the humbling of individuals or nations and the divine orchestration of events that lead to a decrease in power or prominence.

Usage: The verb ἐλαττονέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of diminishing or reducing something. It can refer to a decrease in physical resources, status, or influence.

Context: The term ἐλαττονέω appears in the New Testament in contexts where reduction or diminishment is discussed. It is used to convey the idea of becoming less in terms of quantity or importance. This concept is often associated with humility or the natural order of things where one must decrease for another to increase.

In John 3:30, John the Baptist uses a form of this word to express his understanding of his role in relation to Jesus: "He must increase; I must decrease." This reflects a theological principle of self-abasement and the exaltation of Christ. The use of ἐλαττονέω here underscores the necessity of prioritizing Christ's mission and glory over personal prominence.

The concept of diminishment is also seen in Hebrews 2:7, where it is used in the context of humanity being made "a little lower than the angels," indicating a temporary state of being lesser in comparison to celestial beings, yet still honored by God.

Theologically, ἐλαττονέω can be understood as a call to humility and recognition of one's place in God's plan. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly status and the eternal significance of spiritual growth and alignment with divine purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

ελασσονούσι ελαττονή ελαττονήσει ελαττονούνται ελαττονωθώσιν ηλαττόνησε ηλαττονησεν ἠλαττόνησεν ηλαττονούτο elattonesen elattónesen ēlattonēsen ēlattónēsen

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 8:15 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὀλίγον οὐκ ἠλαττόνησεν
NAS: AND HE WHO [gathered] LITTLE HAD NO
KJV: had no lack.
INT: little no did lack

Strong's Greek 1641
1 Occurrence

ἠλαττόνησεν — 1 Occ.