ἐλάσσων
elassōn
lesser
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐλάσσων (elassōn) is translated to "lesser" and appears four times in the Bible. At its core, this word communicates a comparative relationship, indicating something or someone that is not as great or significant as another. Its definition is straightforward and does not involve complex nuances. In its usage, ἐλάσσων is not exclusively tied to a particular context or category. It can be applied to people, things, or situations, underscoring its versatility as a comparative term. This flexibility allows it to be used in various situations, from comparisons of age or power to differences in quality or worth. Given its clear and simple definition, the significance of ἐλάσσων lies in its role as a comparative term, highlighting contrasts between different entities. By drawing attention to these distinctions, the word helps to clarify relationships and convey meaning in a straightforward manner, free from ambiguity.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”
Romans 9:12it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.”
1 Timothy 5:9Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
Hebrews 7:7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.