◄ 1646. elachistos ►
Strong's Lexicon elachistos: Least, smallest, very little Original Word: ἐλάχιστος Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elachistos Pronunciation: eh-LAH-khee-stos Phonetic Spelling: (el-akh'-is-tos) Definition: least, smallest, but perhaps oftener in the weaker sense: very little, very small. Meaning: The term ἐλάχιστος is used to denote something that is the least in size, amount, importance, or rank. It is often translated as "least," "smallest," or "very little." Word Origin: Superlative form of a derivative of the Greek word ἔλαχον (elachon), which is a form of ἐλαχύς (elachus), meaning "small" or "little." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of "least" or "smallest" in the Hebrew Bible can be related to several Hebrew words, such as קָטָן (qatan, Strong's 6996), which means "small" or "insignificant," and צָעִיר (tsa'ir, Strong's 6810), meaning "young" or "least." These terms similarly convey notions of humility, youth, or insignificance, often used in contexts that highlight God's preference for the humble and lowly. Usage: The word ἐλάχιστος appears in the New Testament to describe the smallest or least significant in a group or hierarchy. It is used both in literal and metaphorical contexts to emphasize humility, insignificance, or the minimal amount. Context: The Greek term ἐλάχιστος is employed in the New Testament to convey the concept of being the least or smallest, often in a moral or spiritual sense. It is used to illustrate the principle of humility and the reversal of worldly values in the Kingdom of God. For instance, in Matthew 25:40, Jesus speaks of the "least of these brothers of Mine," highlighting the importance of serving those who are considered insignificant by societal standards. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 15:9, Paul refers to himself as the "least of the apostles," underscoring his humility and the grace of God in his life. The use of ἐλάχιστος serves as a reminder of the Christian call to humility and service. It challenges believers to value what the world often overlooks and to recognize the worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their status or position. This term encapsulates the paradox of the Christian faith, where the last shall be first, and the least shall be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. HELPS Word-studies 1646 eláxistos – the superlative (-est form) of 3398 /mikrós ("small") meaning "the very least, smallest." Lk 16:10: "He who is faithful in a very little (1646 /eláxistos) thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little (1646 /eláxistos) thing is unrighteous also in much" (NASU). Lk 19:17: "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little (1646 /eláxistos) thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities' " (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin superl. of elachus (little), also used as superl. to mikros Definition least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.) NASB Translation least (6), smallest (1), very least (1), very little thing (4), very small (1), very small thing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1646: ἐλάχιστος ἐλάχιστος, ἐλαχίστη, ἐλάχιστον (superlative of the adjective μικρός, but coming from ἐλαχύς) ((Homer h. Merc. 573), Herodotus down), smallest, least — whether in size: James 3:4; in amount: of the management of affairs, πιστός ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ, Luke 16:10 (opposed to ἐν πολλῷ); ; ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ ἄδικος, Luke 16:10; in importance: what is of the least moment, 1 Corinthians 6:2; in authority: of commandments, Matthew 5:19; in the estimation of men: of persons, Matthew 25:40, 45; in rank and excellence: of persons, Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 15:9; of a town, Matthew 2:6. οὐδέ (R G οὔτε) ἐλάχιστον, not even a very small thing, Luke 12:26; ἐμοί εἰς ἐλάχιστον, ἐστι (see εἰμί, V. 2 c.), 1 Corinthians 4:3. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance least, very little, smallest. Superlative of elachus (short); used as equivalent to mikros; least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.) -- least, very little (small), smallest. see GREEK mikros Forms and Transliterations ελάχιστα ελαχιστη ελαχίστη ἐλαχίστη ελαχίστης ελάχιστοι ελαχιστον ελάχιστον ελάχιστόν ἐλάχιστον ἐλάχιστόν ελαχιστος ελάχιστος ἐλάχιστος ελαχιστου ελαχίστου ἐλαχίστου ελαχιστω ελαχίστω ἐλαχίστῳ ελαχιστων ελαχίστων ἐλαχίστων elachiste elachistē elachíste elachístē elachisto elachistō elachístoi elachístōi elachiston elachistōn elachíston elachístōn eláchiston eláchistón elachistos eláchistos elachistou elachístou Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:6 Adj-NFS GRK: Ἰούδα οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν NAS: ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG KJV: art not the least among the princes INT: of Judah in no way least are among Matthew 5:19 Adj-GFP GRK: τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ NAS: one of the least of these KJV: one of these least commandments, and INT: of these the least and shall teach Matthew 5:19 Adj-NMS GRK: τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν NAS: shall be called least in the kingdom KJV: he shall be called the least in INT: the others least he will be called in Matthew 25:40 Adj-GMP GRK: μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε NAS: of Mine, [even] the least [of them], you did KJV: [it] unto one of the least of these INT: of me the least to me you did [it] Matthew 25:45 Adj-GMP GRK: τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ NAS: it to one of the least of these, KJV: to one of the least of these, INT: of these the least neither to me Luke 12:26 Adj-ANS GRK: οὖν οὐδὲ ἐλάχιστον δύνασθε τί NAS: do even a very little thing, why KJV: able to do that thing which is least, why INT: therefore not even [the] least you are able [to do] why Luke 16:10 Adj-DNS GRK: πιστὸς ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ καὶ ἐν NAS: He who is faithful in a very little thing KJV: in that which is least is INT: [is] faithful with very little also with Luke 16:10 Adj-DNS GRK: ὁ ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ ἄδικος καὶ NAS: in a very little thing is faithful KJV: in the least is INT: the [one who] with very little [is] unrighteous also Luke 19:17 Adj-DNS GRK: ὅτι ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ πιστὸς ἐγένου NAS: faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority KJV: in a very little, have INT: because in very little faithful you were 1 Corinthians 4:3 Adj-ANS GRK: δὲ εἰς ἐλάχιστόν ἐστιν ἵνα NAS: But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined INT: moreover to the smallest matter it is that 1 Corinthians 6:2 Adj-GNP GRK: ἐστε κριτηρίων ἐλαχίστων NAS: by you, are you not competent [to] [constitute] the smallest law courts? KJV: to judge the smallest matters? INT: are you of judgments the smallest 1 Corinthians 15:9 Adj-NMS GRK: εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων NAS: For I am the least of the apostles, KJV: I am the least of the apostles, that INT: am the least of the apostles James 3:4 Adj-GNS GRK: μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου NAS: are still directed by a very small rudder KJV: with a very small helm, INT: are turned about by a very small rudder whenever Strong's Greek 1646 13 Occurrences ἐλαχίστη — 1 Occ. ἐλαχίστῳ — 3 Occ. ἐλαχίστων — 4 Occ. ἐλάχιστον — 2 Occ. ἐλάχιστος — 2 Occ. ἐλαχίστου — 1 Occ.