2909. kreittón or kreissón

Lexicon

kreittón or kreissón: Better, superior, more excellent

Original Word: κρείττων or κρείσσων
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kreittón or kreissón
Pronunciation: kray'-tohn or krays'-sohn
Phonetic Spelling: (krite'-tohn)
Definition: Better, superior, more excellent
Meaning: stronger, more excellent.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

best, better.

Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. Nobler -- best, better.

see GREEK kratos

HELPS Word-studies

2909 kreíttōn (the comparative form of 2904 /krátos, "dominion") – what is better because more fully developed, i.e. in reaching the needed dominion (mastery, dominance); "better" after exerting the power needed to "plant down God's flag of victory."

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
cptv. of the same as kratistos
Definition
better
NASB Translation
better (17), better things (1), greater (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2909: κρείττων

κρείττων and (1 Corinthians 7:38; Philippians 1:23; in other places the reading varies between the two forms, especially in 1 Corinthians 7:9 (here T Tr WH L text κρείττων); ; Hebrews 6:9 (here and in the preceding passage L T Tr WH κρείσσων; see WH's Appendix, p. 148f; cf. Sigma) κρείσσων, κρεισσονος, neuter κρεισσονου (comparitive of κρατύς, see κράτιστος, cf. Kühner, i., p. 436; (Buttmann, 27 (24))) (from Homer down), better; i. e.

a. more useful, more serviceable: 1 Corinthians 11:17; 1 Corinthians 12:31 R G; Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:24; with πολλῷ μᾶλλον, added, Philippians 1:23 (cf. μᾶλλον, 1 b.); κρεῖσσον (adverb) ποιεῖν, 1 Corinthians 7:38; κρεῖττον ἐστιν, it is more advantageous, followed by an infinitive, 1 Corinthians 7:9; 2 Peter 2:21 (cf. Buttmann, 217 (188); Winers Grammar, § 41 a. 2 a).

b. more excellent: Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 6:9; Hebrews 7:7, 19, 22; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:23; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:16, 35; κρεῖττον, followed by an infinitive, 1 Peter 3:17.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Comparative form of the Greek word "κράτος" (kratos), meaning "strength" or "power."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κρείττων or κρείσσων, the concept of superiority or excellence can be found in Hebrew terms such as טוֹב (tov, Strong's H2896), meaning "good" or "better," and גָּדוֹל (gadol, Strong's H1419), meaning "great" or "greater." These terms are used in the Old Testament to describe qualities of goodness and greatness, which can be seen as analogous to the Greek concept of superiority.

Usage: The term κρείττων or κρείσσων is used in the New Testament to denote something that is superior or more excellent in quality, strength, or value. It often contrasts the new covenant with the old, or spiritual realities with earthly ones.

Context: • Contextual Overview: The Greek term κρείττων or κρείσσων appears in various contexts within the New Testament, primarily in the Epistle to the Hebrews. It is used to emphasize the superiority of Christ, His covenant, and His priesthood over previous systems and figures.
• Theological Significance: In Hebrews, κρείττων underscores the preeminence of Christ's sacrifice and His eternal priesthood. For instance, Hebrews 7:19 states, "For the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." Here, "better" (κρείττων) highlights the superiority of the hope brought by Christ compared to the law.
• Comparative Analysis: The term is often used to draw comparisons between the old and new covenants, as seen in Hebrews 8:6: "But now, Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises." This passage illustrates the concept of κρείττων by contrasting the old covenant's limitations with the new covenant's fulfillment and promises.
• Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to recognize the superiority of their faith in Christ and the new covenant, which offers a more profound relationship with God and eternal promises. This understanding calls for a life of faith and perseverance, as seen in Hebrews 11:16: "Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
• Linguistic Notes: The comparative nature of κρείττων or κρείσσων is essential in understanding its usage. It is not merely about being different but being superior in quality and effect.

Forms and Transliterations

κρειττον κρεῖττον κρεῖττόν κρειττονος κρείττονος κρείττονός κρειττοσιν κρείττοσιν κρειττων κρείττων κρεμαστόν kreitton kreittōn kreítton kreíttōn kreîtton kreîttón kreittonos kreíttonos kreíttonós kreittosin kreíttosin

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 7:9 Adj-NNS
GRK: ἐγκρατεύονται γαμησάτωσαν κρεῖττον γάρ ἐστιν
NAS: let them marry; for it is better to marry
KJV: for it is better to marry than
INT: they have self-control let them marry better indeed it is

Hebrews 1:4 Adj-NMS
GRK: τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν
NAS: as much better than the angels,
KJV: so much better than the angels,
INT: by so much better having become than the

Hebrews 7:7 Adj-GMS
GRK: ὑπὸ τοῦ κρείττονος εὐλογεῖται
NAS: the lesser is blessed by the greater.
KJV: is blessed of the better.
INT: by the superior is blessed

Hebrews 7:19 Adj-GFS
GRK: ἐπεισαγωγὴ δὲ κρείττονος ἐλπίδος δι'
NAS: there is a bringing in of a better hope,
KJV: the bringing in of a better hope
INT: [the] introduction however of a better hope by

Hebrews 7:22 Adj-GFS
GRK: τοσοῦτο καὶ κρείττονος διαθήκης γέγονεν
NAS: the guarantee of a better covenant.
KJV: made a surety of a better testament.
INT: so much also of a better covenant has become

Hebrews 8:6 Adj-GFS
GRK: ὅσῳ καὶ κρείττονός ἐστιν διαθήκης
NAS: the mediator of a better covenant,
KJV: the mediator of a better covenant,
INT: by so much as also of a better he is covenant

Hebrews 8:6 Adj-DFP
GRK: ἥτις ἐπὶ κρείττοσιν ἐπαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται
NAS: has been enacted on better promises.
KJV: was established upon better promises.
INT: which upon better promises has been enacted

Hebrews 9:23 Adj-DFP
GRK: τὰ ἐπουράνια κρείττοσιν θυσίαις παρὰ
NAS: themselves with better sacrifices
KJV: themselves with better sacrifices
INT: the heavenly places with better sacrifices than

Hebrews 10:34 Adj-AFS
GRK: ἔχειν ἑαυτοὺς κρείττονα ὕπαρξιν καὶ
INT: to have yourselves a better possession and

Hebrews 11:16 Adj-GFS
GRK: νῦν δὲ κρείττονος ὀρέγονται τοῦτ'
NAS: But as it is, they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly one.
KJV: they desire a better [country], that is,
INT: now moreover a better they stretch forward to this

Hebrews 11:35 Adj-GFS
GRK: ἀπολύτρωσιν ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν
NAS: that they might obtain a better resurrection;
KJV: they might obtain a better resurrection:
INT: redemption that a better resurrection they might obtain

Hebrews 11:40 Adj-ANS
GRK: περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου
NAS: something better for us, so
KJV: having provided some better thing for
INT: for us better something having foreseen

Hebrews 12:24 Adj-ANS
GRK: αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ
NAS: which speaks better than
KJV: that speaketh better things than
INT: to [the] blood of sprinkling better things speaking than

1 Peter 3:17 Adj-NNS
GRK: κρεῖττον γὰρ ἀγαθοποιοῦντας
NAS: For it is better, if God
KJV: For [it is] better, if the will
INT: [it is] better indeed [for you] doing good

2 Peter 2:21 Adj-NNS
GRK: κρεῖττον γὰρ ἦν
NAS: For it would be better for them not to have known
KJV: For it had been better for them not
INT: Better indeed it were

Strong's Greek 2909
15 Occurrences

κρείττων — 1 Occ.
κρεῖττον — 5 Occ.
κρείττονα — 1 Occ.
κρείττονος — 6 Occ.
κρείττοσιν — 2 Occ.