3122. malista

Lexicon

malista: Especially, chiefly, most of all

Original Word: μάλιστα
Part of Speech: Adverb, Superlative
Transliteration: malista
Pronunciation: mä'-lis-tä
Phonetic Spelling: (mal'-is-tah)
Definition: Especially, chiefly, most of all
Meaning: most of all, especially.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

chiefly, most of all, especially.

Neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb mala (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly -- chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially.

HELPS Word-studies

3122 málista (from mala, "very much") – very much the case; particularly so; especially (mostly) so.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
superl. of a prim. adverb mala (very)
Definition
most
NASB Translation
especially (12).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3122: μάλιστα

μάλιστα (superlative of the adverb μάλα) (from Homer down), adverb, especially, chiefly, most of all, above all: Acts 20:38; Acts 25:26; Galatians 6:10; Philippians 4:22; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 5:8, 17; 2 Timothy 4:13; Titus 1:10; Philemon 1:16; 2 Peter 2:10; μάλιστα γνώστης, especially expert, thoroughly well-informed, Acts 26:3.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Superlative of an obsolete adjective μάλα (mala), meaning "very" or "much."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek adverb μάλιστα, the concept of emphasis or priority can be found in various Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings, such as מְאֹד (me'od, Strong's Hebrew 3966), which means "very" or "exceedingly," often used to intensify an adjective or action.

Usage: The word μάλιστα appears in the New Testament to highlight a specific group, action, or quality as being of utmost importance or relevance. It is often used to draw attention to a particular point or to specify a group within a larger context.

Context: The Greek adverb μάλιστα is employed in the New Testament to underscore the significance or priority of a subject within a given context. It is used to denote a heightened degree of emphasis, often translating to "especially" or "most of all" in English. This term appears in various contexts, from ethical instructions to personal greetings, indicating its versatile application in emphasizing particular aspects of Christian teaching or community life.

For instance, in Galatians 6:10, Paul writes, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially (μάλιστα) to the family of faith." Here, μάλιστα is used to prioritize the care for fellow believers, highlighting the importance of community within the Christian faith.

In 1 Timothy 4:10, the term is used to emphasize God's role as the Savior: "To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially (μάλιστα) of those who believe." This usage underscores the particular relationship between God and believers, while acknowledging His universal role.

The use of μάλιστα in the New Testament reflects a common rhetorical device in Greek literature, where emphasis is placed on a particular group or action to convey its importance. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of prioritizing certain ethical behaviors and relationships within the Christian community.

Forms and Transliterations

μαλιστα μάλιστα malista málista

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 20:38 Adv
GRK: ὀδυνώμενοι μάλιστα ἐπὶ τῷ
NAS: grieving especially over the word
KJV: Sorrowing most of all for the words
INT: distressed most of all for the

Acts 25:26 Adv
GRK: ὑμῶν καὶ μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοῦ
NAS: I have brought him before you [all] and especially before
KJV: you, and specially before thee,
INT: you and especially before you

Acts 26:3 Adv
GRK: μάλιστα γνώστην ὄντα
NAS: especially because you are an expert
KJV: Especially [because I know] thee
INT: especially acquainted being

Galatians 6:10 Adv
GRK: πρὸς πάντας μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς
NAS: to all people, and especially to those
INT: toward all especially moreover toward

Philippians 4:22 Adv
GRK: οἱ ἅγιοι μάλιστα δὲ οἱ
NAS: greet you, especially those
KJV: you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's
INT: the saints especially moreover those

1 Timothy 4:10 Adv
GRK: πάντων ἀνθρώπων μάλιστα πιστῶν
NAS: of all men, especially of believers.
KJV: men, specially of those that believe.
INT: of all men especially of believers

1 Timothy 5:8 Adv
GRK: ἰδίων καὶ μάλιστα οἰκείων οὐ
NAS: for his own, and especially for those of his household,
KJV: and specially for those of his own house,
INT: own and especially [his] household not

1 Timothy 5:17 Adv
GRK: τιμῆς ἀξιούσθωσαν μάλιστα οἱ κοπιῶντες
NAS: honor, especially those
KJV: honour, especially they who labour
INT: honor let be counted worthy especially those straining

2 Timothy 4:13 Adv
GRK: τὰ βιβλία μάλιστα τὰς μεμβράνας
NAS: and the books, especially the parchments.
KJV: the books, [but] especially the parchments.
INT: the books especially the parchments

Titus 1:10 Adv
GRK: καὶ φρεναπάται μάλιστα οἱ ἐκ
NAS: and deceivers, especially those
KJV: deceivers, specially they of
INT: and deceivers especially those of

Philemon 1:16 Adv
GRK: ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν μάλιστα ἐμοί πόσῳ
NAS: brother, especially to me, but how much
KJV: beloved, specially to me,
INT: a brother beloved especially to me how much

2 Peter 2:10 Adv
GRK: μάλιστα δὲ τοὺς
NAS: and especially those who indulge
KJV: But chiefly them that walk after
INT: especially moreover those who

Strong's Greek 3122
12 Occurrences

μάλιστα — 12 Occ.