3029. lian
Lexical Summary
lian: Very, exceedingly, greatly

Original Word: λίαν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: lian
Pronunciation: lee-ahn'
Phonetic Spelling: (lee'-an)
KJV: exceeding, great(-ly), sore, very (+ chiefest)
NASB: very, exceedingly, extremely, quite, still, vigorously
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]

1. much (adverbially)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
exceeding, greatly

Of uncertain affinity; much (adverbially) -- exceeding, great(-ly), sore, very (+ chiefest).

HELPS Word-studies

3029 lían (an emphatic adverb) – very, exceedingly. 3029 (lían) intensifies (raises) a thought, taking it from much ("a high extent") to "very much" ("a great extent"), i.e. utterly (strongly, "to the max").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
very, exceedingly
NASB Translation
exceedingly (1), extremely (1), quite (1), still (1), utterly* (1), very (6), vigorously (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3029: λίαν

λίαν (in Homer and Ionic λίην) (for λιλαν, λαῷ to desire: cf. Curtius, § 532), adverb, greatly, exceedingly: Matthew 2:16; Matthew 4:8; Matthew 8:28; Matthew 27:14; Mark 1:35; Mark 9:3; Mark 16:2; Luke 23:8; 2 Timothy 4:15; 2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3; (2 Macc. 11:1; 4 Macc. 8:16; Tobit 9:4, etc.; for מְאֹד, Genesis 1:31; Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 11:15); λίαν ἐκ περισσοῦ, exceedingly beyond measure, Mark 6:51 (WH omits; Tr brackets ἐκπερισσοῦ). See ὑπερλίαν.

Topical Lexicon
Scope and Function

The adverb λίαν enlarges the force of a statement, pushing it past the ordinary into the realm of the exceptional. Whether the context is danger, wonder, joy, or opposition, the word flags a moment that demands special attention from the reader and communicates that the speaker’s experience or reaction is beyond what is common.

Occurrences in Salvation History

The twelve New Testament uses form a narrative arc that stretches from Christ’s infancy to the close of the apostolic era:

Matthew 2:16 – Herod is “very enraged,” marking the murderous extremity of the king’s hostility to the newborn Messiah.
Matthew 4:8 – The devil shows Jesus “a very high mountain,” underscoring the height of the temptation that the Second Adam must withstand.
Matthew 8:28 – Two demoniacs are “so violent that no one could pass that way,” emphasizing the desperate condition from which Christ delivers.
Matthew 27:14 – Pilate is “greatly amazed” at the silent Lamb, highlighting the moral authority of Jesus during His passion.
Mark 1:35; Mark 16:2 – “Very early” brackets Jesus’ public ministry and His resurrection with the same note of disciplined urgency and divine initiative in the dawn hours.
Mark 6:51 – After Jesus stills the storm, the disciples are “utterly astounded,” a reaction that prepares them for deeper revelation.
Mark 9:3 – At the Transfiguration His garments become “exceedingly white,” presenting the radiant holiness of the Son.
Luke 23:8 – Herod is “greatly pleased” to see Jesus, revealing the shallow curiosity of a ruler who seeks spectacle but not truth.
2 Timothy 4:15 – Alexander “vehemently opposed” the apostolic word, a sober warning to remain vigilant against those who resist gospel proclamation.
2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3 – John is “overjoyed exceedingly” by believers walking in the truth, balancing the previous warning with pastoral delight.

Stress on Spiritual Conflict and Opposition

λίαν marks the sharpest edges of hostility. Herod’s fury (Matthew 2:16) and Alexander’s resistance (2 Timothy 4:15) illustrate that the gospel invariably provokes extreme reactions. The adverb thus alerts believers to expect intense enmity and to rely on God’s sovereignty amid persecution.

Heightened Revelation of Christ’s Majesty

The devil’s “very high mountain” (Matthew 4:8) contrasts with the “exceedingly white” garments on the holy mount (Mark 9:3). One scene magnifies temptation; the other magnifies glory. Both uses highlight the incomparable perfection of Jesus, who rejects Satan’s offer and displays divine splendor before chosen witnesses.

Discipleship and Prayer

Mark 1:35 shows Jesus rising “very early” to pray. The intensifier underscores that, for the Son of God incarnate, communion with the Father took priority over rest. Followers of Christ find here a model for disciplined devotion.

Reactions to Jesus’ Words and Works

Pilate’s great amazement (Matthew 27:14), the disciples’ utter astonishment (Mark 6:51), and Herod’s delighted curiosity (Luke 23:8) demonstrate that Christ’s presence evokes extreme responses. λίαν signals moments when superficial neutrality becomes impossible; observers must choose rejection or faith.

Witness to the Resurrection

“Very early on the first day of the week” (Mark 16:2) situates the resurrection at the dawn of new creation. The adverb draws attention to the eager devotion of the women and the decisive break between darkness and light, death and life.

Pastoral Joy and Warning

John’s double use (2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3) shows that nothing gladdens a shepherd’s heart more “exceedingly” than seeing believers “walking in the truth.” The same intensifier that describes demonic violence and murderous rage also describes holy joy, teaching that spiritual life, whether for good or ill, is never lukewarm.

Application for Contemporary Ministry

1. Expect extremes. Gospel ministry encounters intense opposition and intense fruitfulness.
2. Pursue disciplined devotion. The “very early” prayer life of Jesus is both rebuke and invitation.
3. Cultivate holy joy. Leaders should rejoice “exceedingly” when disciples live out the truth.
4. Preach the majesty of Christ. Texts containing λίαν often point to moments where Christ’s superiority is beyond measure; such passages call for exultant proclamation.

Historical and Linguistic Notes

In wider Koine usage λίαν commonly heightens adjectives or verbs. The New Testament writers chose it sparingly—only twelve times—so each instance stands out. Its distribution clusters in narrative sections that highlight pivotal events, then reappears in late Pauline and Johannine letters, showing that the early Church retained the term to express both pastoral intensity and doctrinal clarity.

Summary

λίαν serves as the Spirit’s highlighter, drawing the reader’s eye to the extraordinary. Whether revealing the depths of human hostility, the heights of Christ’s glory, or the breadth of apostolic joy, the word consistently magnifies the great works of God and calls believers to wholehearted response.

Forms and Transliterations
λιαν λίαν lian lían
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 2:16 Adv
GRK: μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν καὶ ἀποστείλας
NAS: by the magi, he became very enraged,
KJV: the wise men, was exceeding wroth,
INT: magi was enraged greatly and having sent forth

Matthew 4:8 Adv
GRK: ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν καὶ δείκνυσιν
NAS: took Him to a very high
KJV: up into an exceeding high mountain,
INT: a mountain high exceedingly and shows

Matthew 8:28 Adv
GRK: ἐξερχόμενοι χαλεποὶ λίαν ὥστε μὴ
NAS: out of the tombs. [They were] so extremely violent
KJV: the tombs, exceeding fierce,
INT: coming violent very so that not

Matthew 27:14 Adv
GRK: τὸν ἡγεμόνα λίαν
NAS: so the governor was quite amazed.
KJV: that the governor marvelled greatly.
INT: the governor exceedingly

Mark 1:35 Adv
GRK: πρωὶ ἔννυχα λίαν ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθεν
NAS: while it was still dark,
KJV: rising up a great while before day,
INT: very early in night still much having risen up he went out

Mark 6:51 Adv
GRK: ἄνεμος καὶ λίαν ἐκ περισσοῦ
NAS: stopped; and they were utterly astonished,
KJV: ceased: and they were sore amazed in
INT: wind And exceedingly in abundance

Mark 9:3 Adv
GRK: στίλβοντα λευκὰ λίαν οἷα γναφεὺς
NAS: radiant and exceedingly white,
KJV: became shining, exceeding white as
INT: shining white exceedingly such as a launderer

Mark 16:2 Adv
GRK: καὶ λίαν πρωὶ τῇ
NAS: Very early on the first
KJV: And very early in the morning
INT: And very early on the

Luke 23:8 Adv
GRK: Ἰησοῦν ἐχάρη λίαν ἦν γὰρ
NAS: Now Herod was very glad when he saw
KJV: saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for
INT: Jesus rejoiced greatly he was indeed

2 Timothy 4:15 Adv
GRK: σὺ φυλάσσου λίαν γὰρ ἀντέστη
NAS: against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed
KJV: for he hath greatly withstood our
INT: you beware of exceedingly indeed he has opposed

2 John 1:4 Adv
GRK: Ἐχάρην λίαν ὅτι εὕρηκα
NAS: I was very glad to find
KJV: I rejoiced greatly that I found
INT: I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found

3 John 1:3 Adv
GRK: ἐχάρην γὰρ λίαν ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν
NAS: For I was very glad when brethren
KJV: I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren
INT: I rejoiced indeed exceedingly coming [the] brothers

Strong's Greek 3029
12 Occurrences


λίαν — 12 Occ.

3028
Top of Page
Top of Page