Lexical Summary pampolus: Very much, exceedingly, greatly Original Word: πάμπολυς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Immense, very great. From pas and polus; full many, i.e. Immense -- very great. see GREEK pas see GREEK polus NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading from pas and polus, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3827: πάμπολυςπάμπολυς, παμπολλη, παμπολυ (πᾶς and πολύς), very great: Mark 8:1 Rec. (where L T Tr WH πάλιν πολλοῦ). (Aristophanes, Plato, Plutarch, (others).) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope πάμπολυς (pampolys) conveys the idea of an exceedingly great quantity—“vast,” “very many,” “countless.” Although the term never appears in the Greek New Testament, it belongs to the same semantic field as πολύς (“many”) and περισσός (“abundant”). In Scripture the concept of immeasurable fullness consistently highlights God’s limitless resources and His ability to bless beyond measure. Ancient Greek Usage Classical authors employed πάμπολυς for overwhelming numbers—armies “innumerable,” treasures “beyond counting,” or crowds “teeming.” In Koine writings it can describe large assemblies or vast supplies of grain, oil, or coinage. The term therefore establishes a linguistic backdrop for biblical writers who speak of divine plenitude with different but related vocabulary. Occurrences in the Septuagint and Intertestamental Literature In the Septuagint the adjective surfaces in historical narratives and wisdom texts to emphasize multitudes of people or possessions (for example, describing “very many” slain in battle or “countless” mercies of God). Intertestamental books such as 2 Maccabees employ it for armies “vast beyond number,” foreshadowing New Testament imagery of innumerable hosts (Revelation 7:9). Conceptual Parallels in Canonical Scripture 1. Covenant Promise of Multitudes Genesis 22:17: “I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.” The hyperbolic picture of an uncountable offspring mirrors the idea behind πάμπολυς, underscoring the faithfulness of God to fulfill covenant promises beyond human calculation. 2. Divine Wonders and Thoughts Psalm 40:5: “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I would proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.” The psalmist reaches for language of super-abundance to express the impossibility of tallying the Lord’s acts. 3. Super-Abounding Grace Ephesians 1:7-8: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Though πάμπολυς is absent, the thought of grace “lavished” provides New Testament continuity with the Old Testament theme of divine excess. 4. Life in Abundance John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance.” Jesus embodies the overflowing provision anticipated in earlier revelation. 5. Innumerable Redeemed Revelation 7:9: “After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” The eschatological vision culminates the biblical motif of a people so numerous that only God can reckon them. Theological Significance • Revelation of Divine Capacity The concept behind πάμπολυς magnifies God’s omnipotence and inexhaustible supply (Psalm 50:10-12). He is never limited by scarcity when fulfilling His purposes. • Assurance of Covenant Fulfillment Abraham’s descendants become “too numerous to count” (Hebrews 11:12), validating the reliability of divine promise. • Motivation for Generosity Because believers serve the God of boundless riches, they can give freely (2 Corinthians 9:8). The church reflects divine abundance through sacrificial generosity that trusts God to replenish. Practical Ministry Application 1. Preaching and Teaching When proclaiming passages on God’s “rich mercy” or “unsearchable riches,” pastors can draw on the background of πάμπολυς to illustrate the immeasurable scale of divine favor. 2. Counseling and Discipleship Reminding struggling believers that God’s resources are “very many” combats fear of insufficiency. Philippians 4:19 assures, “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” 3. Mission and Evangelism The promise of a “multitude that no one could number” fuels confidence in the global mission. Laborers can expect a harvest beyond statistical prediction because the Lord of the harvest is generous. Related Greek Vocabulary for Further Study πολύς (polys) – many, much πλεονάζω (pleonazō) – to abound, increase περισσεύω (perisseuō) – to overflow, excel Conclusion Though πάμπολυς itself does not occur in the New Testament text, its sense of overwhelming magnitude permeates the biblical narrative. From the countless stars promised to Abraham to the innumerable throng before the Lamb, Scripture unveils a God whose works, mercy, and redeemed people are—quite literally—beyond numbering. Forms and Transliterations παμπόλλουLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance παλαιούς — 3 Occ.παλαιότητι — 1 Occ. παλαιωθήσονται — 1 Occ. παλαιούμενα — 1 Occ. παλαιούμενον — 1 Occ. πεπαλαίωκεν — 1 Occ. πάλη — 1 Occ. παλινγενεσίᾳ — 1 Occ. παλινγενεσίας — 1 Occ. Πάλιν — 141 Occ. Παμφυλίαν — 3 Occ. Παμφυλίας — 2 Occ. πανδοχεῖον — 1 Occ. πανδοχεῖ — 1 Occ. πανηγύρει — 1 Occ. πανοικεὶ — 1 Occ. πανοπλίαν — 3 Occ. πανουργίᾳ — 4 Occ. πανουργίαν — 1 Occ. πανοῦργος — 1 Occ. |
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