Lexicon elachistoteros: Least, very least Original Word: ἐλαχιστότερος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance less than the least. Comparative of elachistos; far less -- less than the least. see GREEK elachistos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincptv. of elachistos, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1647: ἐλαχιστοτεροςἐλαχιστοτερος, ἐλαχιστερα, ἐλαχιστερον (comparitive formed from the superlative ἐλάχιστος; there is also a superlative ἐλαχιστοτατος; "it is well known that this kind of double comparison is common in the poets; but in prose, it is regarded as faulty." Lob. ad Phryn., p. 136; cf. Winers Grammar, § 11, 2 b. (also 27 (26); Buttmann, 28 (25))), less than the least, lower than the lowest: Ephesians 3:8. Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Comparative form of ἐλάχιστος (elachistos), which is the superlative of ὀλίγος (oligos), meaning "little" or "few."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐλαχιστότερος, similar concepts of humility and smallness can be found in Hebrew words such as קָטָן (qatan, Strong's H6996), meaning "small" or "insignificant," and צָעִיר (tsa'ir, Strong's H6810), meaning "young" or "least." These terms are used in the Old Testament to convey ideas of humility and lowliness, often in the context of God's choosing or exalting the humble. Usage: This word is used in the New Testament to express extreme humility or insignificance, often in a spiritual or moral context. Context: The Greek term ἐλαχιστότερος appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize humility and the recognition of one's own unworthiness. It is notably used by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:8, where he describes himself as "less than the least of all the saints." This expression underscores Paul's deep sense of humility and his acknowledgment of God's grace in his life, despite his past as a persecutor of the church. The use of ἐλαχιστότερος serves to highlight the transformative power of divine grace, which can elevate even the most unworthy to a position of service in God's kingdom. This term reflects a key theme in Christian theology: the idea that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, and that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and service. Forms and Transliterations ελαχιστοτερω ελαχιστοτέρω ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ elachistotero elachistoterō elachistotéroi elachistotérōiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ephesians 3:8 Adj-DMS-CGRK: ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων KJV: Unto me, who am less than the least of all INT: To me the very least of all saints |
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