G4121 πλεονάζω (pleonázō)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study

Verb

Quick Definition

πλεονάζω v. I abound, increase

Strong's Definition

to do, make or be more, i.e. increase (transitively or intransitively); by extension, to superabound

Derivation: from G4119 (πλείων);

KJV Usage: abound, abundant, make to increase, have over

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

πλεονάζω (G4121)

verb | aor.opt.3sg. πλεονάσαι | πλεονεκτέω · πλεονέκτης · πλεονεξία · πλείων · ὑπερπλεονάζω

59.67 · Quantity · Increase, Decrease

to increase considerably, to become more and more, to multiply to increase considerably the extent of an activity or state, with the implication of the result being an abundance It may be difficult in some languages to speak of ‘sin increasing,’ but in ROM 5:20 one can say ‘where people sinned more and more.’
In 2CO 4:15 the increase would be in the instances of God’s grace extending to more and more people.

ROM 5:20 · ROM 5:20 · ROM 6:1 · 2CO 4:15 · PHP 4:17

78.32 · Degree · More Than, Less Than [Comparative Degree]

to cause to be intense, to cause to be more, to cause to grow to cause an increase in the degree of some experience or state It would seem that πλεονάσαι and περισσεύσαι in 1TH 3:12 simply reinforce the meaning of intense degree. It is assumed that these two expressions are not completely synonymous, but it is difficult to determine precisely how they may contrast. It may simply be that περισσεύσαι is somewhat more emphatic.

1TH 3:12 · 2TH 1:3

59.48 · Quantity · Abundance, Excess, Sparing

to be in abundance, to have in abundance to exist or be in abundance The two participial forms, ὑπάρχοντα (see 57.2) and πλεονάζοντα, are coalesced in the translation as ‘have ... in abundance.’
In a number of languages the equivalent of this expression in 2PE 1:8 might be ‘if you have a great many of these’ or ‘for if these are big with you.’

2PE 1:8

57.23 · Possess, Transfer, Exchange · Have Sufficient

to have more than enough, to have too much to have more than enough to meet one’s needs

2CO 8:15

¹ It is possible that περισσεύω[e] differs somewhat from πλεονάζω[b] in intensity, implying perhaps an overabundance of something, but it is difficult to confirm such a distinction on the basis of existing texts.

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

πλεονάζω; 1 aor. ἐπλεόνασα; (πλέον) ; Sept. for Ἢ» and ΤΊ; 1. intrans.: used of one possessing, to superabound [ A. V. to have over], 2 Co. viii. 15. of things, to exist in abundance [R. V.be multiplied], 2 Co. iv. 15; to increase, be augmented, Ro. v. 20; vi. 1; 2 Th. i. 3; Phil. iv. 17; 2 Pet.i. 8. 2. trans. to make to increase: τινά τινι, one in a thing, 1 Th. iii. 12; for 7397, Num. xxvi. 54; Ps. Ixx. (Ixxi.) 21; add 1 Mace. iv. 35. By prof. writ. [(fr. Hippoer. on)] in various other senses. [Comp.: ὑπερ πλεονάζω.]

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

πλεονάζω pleonazō 9x

to be more than enough; to have more than enough, to have in abundance, 2 Cor. 8:15; to abound, be abundant, 2 Thess. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:8; to increase, be augmented, Rom. 5:20; to come into wider action, be more widely spread, Rom. 6:1; 2 Cor. 4:15; in NT trans. to cause to abound or increase, to augment, 1 Thess. 3:12

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

πλεονάζω

(< πλέον), [in LXX for עדף, רבה, etc.;]

Intrans. Of persons; to abound in (Arist.);

to superabound: II Co 8:15(LXX).

Of things, to abound, superabound: Ro 5:20 6:1, II Co 4:15, Phl 4:17, II Th 1:3, II Pe 1:8.

Trans. (Nu 26:54, Ps 70 (71):21; not cl, v. Lft., Notes, 48 f.), to make to abound: I Th 3:12 (cf. ὑπερ-πλεονάζω).†

SYN.: περισσεύω, q.v.

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

πλεονάζω. For the generally intrans. use of this verb = ‘‘ abound,” ‘“superabound,” see P Rev L!¥4-13 (p.c. 258) τὸ πλεόναζον τοῦ προκηρυχθέντος, ‘‘in excess of the amount previously decreed,” P Lille I. 1 vwersol® (B.c. 259-8) els ὃ ἔσται βραχὺ τὸ ἀνάλωμα, ὥστε ἀντ᾽ ἐκείνου τοῦ πλεονάζοντος ἔργου ὧδε κομίζεσθαι, ‘“‘ la dépense sera donc peu ἐϊενέε et de la sorte on balancera le supplément de travail indiqué plus haut” (Ed.), P Ryl 11. 2141? (ii/a.p.) με]τὰ τ[ὰς ἀπὸ μερισμοῦ] τοῦ € (ἔτους) e{mAelovak(vias).. . (δραχμάς), ‘‘after deduction of the drachmae in excess of the assessment of the 5th year” (Edd.), and the Andanian inscr. relating tothe mysteries Sy// 653 (= * 736)9® (B.c. 92) εἰ δὲ μή, μὴ ἐπιτρεπόντω οἱ tepol, καὶ τὰ πλειονάζοντα ἱερὰ ἔστω τῶν θεῶν. Cf. also Aristeas 273 διὰ τὸ δύο πλεονάζειν τῶν ἑβδομήκοντα, ‘because their number exceeded seventy by two.” The trans. use of πλεονάζω in 1 Thess 312 can be paralleled from the LXX (Numb 26%, Ps 70(71)#4). For the subst. πλεόνασμα cf. P Tebt I. 787 (B.c. 110-8) and for πλεονασμός cf. P Lond 604 Be (c. A.D. 47) (= III. p. 78) with the editor’s note, and Wilcken Os¢r. i. p. 280.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

πλεονάζω (pleonazō) — to increase. πλεον-άζω (rarely πλειονάζω, which see), future -άσω: perfect πεπλεόνακα [Refs 1st c.BC+]:—passive, perfect -ασμαι[Refs 5th c.BC+]: aorist -άσθην[Refs]: (πλέον):—to be more, especially to be more than enough, superfluous, opposed to ἐλλείπειν, ὑπολείπειν, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τὸ πλεονάζον the excess, [LXX+3rd c.BC+]; π. παρά with accusative, to be in excess of..,[LXX+NT]; of animals, have more than the due number of limbs, opposed to κολοβὰ γίνεσθαι, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; of visits, to be frequent, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; of the sea, encroach, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; πάθος defined as ὁρμὴ πλεονάζουσα, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; εἰκασία ἐστὶ μεταφορὰ πλεονάζουσα simile is expanded metaphor, [Refs 4th c.BC+]used to excess, [Refs 1st c.BC+]: Grammars, to be redundant, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; also of letters, τὸ ε ¯ πλεονάζει (in ἑ-ώρων) [Refs]; but π. τῷ ῑ to have an added ῑ (as in ἐμεῖο), [Refs]

2. with genitive, exceed, opposed to λείπω, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] the extra work, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; τοὺς -άζοντας τῶν ρκέ (i.e. ἐρίφους) the odd [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

II. of persons, go beyond bounds, take or claim too much, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with dative, presume upon.., εὐτυχίᾳ [Refs 5th c.BC+]go beyond bounds in.., [Refs 1st c.BC+]; of a writer, τοῖς ὀνόμασι π. [Refs]: absolutely, to be lengthy, tedious, [LXX+1st c.BC+]; περί τινος Parmenisc. cited in [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.2. π. τινός have an excess of, abound in a thing, opposed to ἐνδεὴς εἶναι, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; but π. τοῦ καιροῦ exceed all bounds.., of a writer, [Refs 1st c.BC+]

III. with accusative, state at a higher figure, [Refs 1st c.BC+]:—passive, to be magnified, exaggerated, [νομίσειεν ἂν] ἔστιν ἃ πλεονάζεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πεπλεόνασται has been overdone, opposed to ἐνδεὲς πεποίηται, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

III.2. make to increase, τινὰς τῇ ἀγάπῃ [NT]

III.3. eat in too great quantity, τι [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

III.4. raise the price of, τι [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

III.5. passive, to be deceived, probably falsa lectio for{πλεονεκτεῖσθαι}, [Refs 5th c.AD+]

III.6. Grammars, use in addition or redundantly, εἰώθασιν οἱ Ἀττικοὶ τὰ ἄρθρα πλεονάζειν [Refs 5th c.BC+] —passive, τὸ ῡ πλεοναζόμενον ψιλοῦται[Refs]

III.7. to be in excess of unity, partake of plurality, [Refs 5th c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

πλεονάζω (πλέον), [in LXX for עֲדַף, רָבָה, etc. ;] __I. Intrans. __1. Of persons; __(a) to abound in (Arist.); __(b) to superabound: 2Co.8:15 (LXX). __2. Of things, to abound, superabound: Rom.5:20 6:1, 2Co.4:15, Php.4:17, 2Th.1:3, 2Pe.1:8. __II. Trans. (Num.26:54, Psa.71:21; not cl, see Lft., Notes, 48 f.), to make to abound: 1Th.3:12 (cf. ὑπερ-πλεονάζω).† SYN.: περισσεύω, q.v (AS)

Bible Occurrences (8)

5:20 6:1

4:15 8:15

4:17

3:12

1:3

1:8

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Increase (4121) pleonazo

Increases (4121) (pleonazo from pleion = more) means to cause to increase or superabound and so to be present in abundance or to have plenty (2Pe 1:8-note, Php 4:17). To have more than is necessary or more than enough to meet one's needs (2Co 8:15). To become more and more - in Ro 5:20-note speaking of transgression and sin increasing, in Romans 6:1-note of grace increasing (in his rhetorical rebuttal to those who would seek to turn grace into an opportunity to increase in sin, falsely thinking such conduct was "okay" with God!), of grace spreading or increasing as manifest by giving thanks to God (as an aside, genuine giving of thanks proceeds from an attitude of gratitude in a grace filled/controlled/transformed heart), in 2Th 1:3 speaking of love for one another. Pleonazo was a term taken from the money market and was used of the accumulation of interest, in this case the interest in the "spiritual account" of the Philippians as a result of their generous giving. Pleonazo is used 9 times in the NT an is rendered cause to increase(1), grows greater(1), have too much(1), increase(2), increased(1),increases(1), increasing(1), spreading(1)... Romans 5:20-note - And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, Romans 6:1-note What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 2Corinthians 8:15 as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack." Philippians 4:17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 1Thessalonians 3:12-note and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound (perisseuo) in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; (Note: Pray for love in your local body so that the God of love fills His people with the desire and power to love one another with grace empowered, Spirit controlled supernatural love, love that surpasses human comprehension! Don't try to artificially "manufacture" it for it will lack the touch of the Supernatural.) 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 2Peter 1:8-note For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are 18 uses of pleonazo in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) - Ex 16:18, 23; 26:12; Nu 3:46, 48, 49, 51; 9:22; 26:54; 2Sa 18:8; 1Chr. 4:27; 5:23; 2Chr 24:11; 31:5; Ps 50:19; 71:21; Pr. 15:6; Jer 30:19; Ezek 23:32. Here is a representative use (and a great/bold prayer to pray to our Father, although some translations do not see it as a prayer, eg Psalm 71:21NIV, Ps 71:21ESV)... Psalm 71:21 May You increase (Heb - rabah = increase greatly or exceedingly; Lxx = pleonazo) my greatness and turn to comfort me. (Amplified reads - Increase my greatness (my honor) and turn and comfort me.) Spurgeon comments on this psalm writing that... As a king, David grew in influence and power. God did great things for him, and by him, and this is all the greatness believers want. May we have faith in God, such as these words evince. And comfort me on every side. As we were surrounded with afflictions, so shall we be environed with consolations. From above, and from all around, light shall come to dispel our former gloom; the change shall be great, indeed, when the Lord returns to comfort us. Greatness increasing with comfort, and comfort increasing with greatness; very rarely united. George Rogers. Here is another example of the use of pleonazo in the Septuagint... Proverbs 15:6 Great (Heb = rab = much, many, great; Lxx = pleonazo) wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.

Romans 5:20

[The] law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Romans 6:1

What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?

2 Corinthians 4:15

All this [is] for your benefit..., so that the grace that is extending to more and more [people] may cause thanksgiving to overflow......, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 8:15

As it is written: He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little had no shortfall.”

Philippians 4:17

Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And {may} the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone [else], just as our [love] for you [overflows],

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

2 Peter 1:8

For [if] you possess these [ qualities ] and continue to grow [in them], they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in [your] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.