ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Polys — Meaning and Usage in the Bible
Greek polys describes much or many in quantity, degree, value, or time, and can also function adverbially as greatly, often, or largely.
Significado de la palabra
Polys means much or many and can describe number, space, degree, value, or time. It appears with crowds, prophets, demons, mighty works, glory, and a long period, showing that its sense is determined by the accompanying noun.
The neuter forms may be used adverbially: neuter singular forms can mean greatly or largely, while neuter plural forms can mean often, mostly, or largely. The form of the word must therefore be read together with its grammatical function in the sentence.
Uso en las Escrituras
In Matthew 3:7, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to John’s baptism, using the plural form polloi. Matthew 4:25 and 8:1 use the same form for great multitudes following Jesus, while Matthew 7:22 describes many people claiming to have performed mighty works in his name.
Matthew 7:13 says many enter the broad way, and Matthew 8:11 says many will come from east and west and sit in the kingdom of heaven. The examples show that the word can count people, whether they belong to a described group or participate in a stated action.
Other forms extend the word beyond counting people. In Matthew 5:12, great is the reward; in Matthew 6:30, the comparison says God will much more clothe his followers; and Matthew 8:30 describes a herd of many swine.
La palabra en detalle
- G4183 Polys is a flexible adjective and substantive. Its basic sense is much or many, but neuter forms may also operate as adverbs meaning greatly, often, mostly, or largely. Context determines whether the emphasis is quantity, size, degree, value, time, or repeated action.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 3:7 Here the plural form polloi means many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, identifying a large number within those groups.
- Matthew 4:25 The same plural form describes great multitudes following Jesus from several regions.
- Matthew 5:12 The neuter singular form polys describes the greatness of the reward in heaven.
- Matthew 7:22 The plural form polloi refers to many people who claim to have spoken and acted with powerful works in Jesus’ name.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does polys always mean a large number?
No. It can also mean much, great, or greatly, and neuter forms may mean often, mostly, or largely. The noun or grammatical function determines the precise sense.
How can the same word describe people and rewards?
The form can be plural when it counts people, as in Matthew 7:22, or neuter singular when it describes the greatness of a reward, as in Matthew 5:12. Number and form shape the sense.
What should a reader notice about polys?
Notice whether the form is singular, plural, or neuter, and whether it modifies a noun or acts adverbially. This helps distinguish many people from a great degree or an action done often or largely.