the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Dictionaries
Least
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
or "least," is a superlative degree formed from the word elachus, "little," the place of which was taken by mikros (the comparative degree being elasson, "less"); it is used of (a) size, James 3:4; (b) amount; of the management of affairs, Luke 16:10 (twice); 19:17, "very little;" (c) importance, 1 Corinthians 6:2 , "smallest (matters);" (d) authority: of commandments, Matthew 5:19; (e) estimation, as to persons, Matthew 5:19 (2nd part); 25:40,45; 1 Corinthians 15:9; as to a town, Matthew 2:6; as to activities or operations, Luke 12:26; 1 Corinthians 4:3 , "a very small thing."
a comparative degree formed from No. 1, is used in Ephesians 3:8 , "less than the least."
"small little," is translated "the least" in Acts 8:10; Hebrews 8:11 , with reference to rank or influence. See LITTLE , A, No. 1.
the comparative of No. 3, is used of (a) size, Matthew 13:32 , AV, "the least," RV, "less;" Mark 4:31 [cp. No. 1 (a)]; (b) estimation, Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28 , AV, "least," RV, "but little," marg., "lesser" (in the kingdom of heaven), those in the kingdom itself being less than John the Baptist [cp. No. 1 (e)]; Luke 9:48 . See LESS.
Notes: (1) In 1 Corinthians 6:4 , AV, exoutheneo, in the Passive Voice, "to be of no account," is translated "is least esteemed" (RV, "are of no account"); see ACCOUNT. (2) In Luke 19:42 , the adverbial phrase kai ge, "at least," is found in some mss.; the RV follows those in which it is absent. (3) In 1 Corinthians 9:2 , AV, the phrase alla ge is rendered "doubtless;" RV, "at least." (4) In Acts 5:15 , the phrase k'an (for kai ean, "even if") denotes "at the least."These files are public domain.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Least'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ved/l/least.html. 1940.
