the Week of Proper 27 / Ordinary 32
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Bible Lexicons
Old & New Testament Greek Lexical Dictionary Greek Lexicon
Strong's #3173 - μέγας
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- great
- of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons)
- in particular, of space and its dimensions, as respects 1a
- mass and weight: great 1a
- compass and extent: large, spacious 1a
- measure and height: long 1a
- stature and age: great, old
- of number and quantity: numerous, large, abundant
- of age: the elder
- used of intensity and its degrees: with great effort, of the affections and emotions of the mind, of natural events powerfully affecting the senses: violent, mighty, strong
- of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons)
- predicated of rank, as belonging to
- persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power
- things esteemed highly for their importance: of great moment, of great weight, importance
- a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence: excellent
- splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately
- great things
- of God's preeminent blessings
- of things which overstep the province of a created being, proud (presumptuous) things, full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God
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this Strong's Number
μέγᾰς, μεγάλη [ᾰ], me/ga, gen. μεγάλου, ης, ου, dat. μεγάλῳ, ῃ, ῳ, acc. μέγᾰν, μεγάλην, μέγᾰ; dual μεγάλω, α, w; pl. μεγάλοι, μεγάλαι, μεγάλα, etc.: the stem μεγάλο - is never used in sg. nom. and acc. masc. and neut., and only once in voc. masc., ὦ μεγάλε Ζεῦ A. Th. 822 (anap.).
I
1. big, of bodily size: freq. of stature, εἶδος.. μ. ἦν ὁράασθαι Od. 18.4; κεῖτο μ. μεγαλωστί Il. 16.776; ἠΰς τε μ. τε Od. 9. 508; φῶτα μέγαν καὶ καλόν ib. 513; καλή τε μεγάλη τε 15.418; κάρτα μεγάλη καὶ εὐειδής Hdt. 3.1; φύσιν τίν' εἶχε φράζε; Answ. μέγας S. OT 742. full-grown, of age as shown by stature, νῦν δ' ὅτε δὴ μ. εἰμί Od. 2.314; μήτε μέγαν μήτ' οὖν νεαρῶν τινα A. Ag. 358 (anap.); later, elder of two persons of the same name, Wilcken Chr. 305 (iii B. C.); Σκιπίων ὁ μ. Plb. 18.35.9. of animals, μ. ἵπποι, βοῦς, σῦς, Il. 2.839, 18.559, Od. 19.439; αἰετός Pi. I. 6(5).50.
2. generally, vast, high, οὐρανός, ὄρος, πύργος, Il. 1.497, 16.297, 6.386; wide, πέλαγος, λαῖτμα θαλάσσης, Od. 3.179, 5.174; long, ἠϊών, αἰγιαλός, Il. 12.31, 2.210: sts. opp. ὀλίγος, κῦμα οὔτε μέγ' οὔτ' ὀ. Od. 10.94; but usu. opp. μικρός or σμικρός, πρὸς ἑαυτὸ ἕκαστον καὶ μ. καὶ σμικρόν Anaxag. 3; τὸ ἄπειρον ἐκ μεγάλου καὶ μικροῦ Arist. Metaph. 987b26, etc.
II of quality or degree,
1. great, mighty, freq. epith. of gods, ὁ μ. Ζεύς A. Supp. 1052 (lyr.), etc.; μεγάλα θεά, of Demeter and Persephone, S. OC 683 (lyr.); θεοὶ μεγάλοι, of the Cabiri, IG 12(8).71 (Imbros), etc.; Μήτηρ μ., of Cybele, SIG 1014.83 (Erythrae, iii B. C.), 1138.3 (Delos, ii B. C.); Μήτηρ θεῶν μ. OGI 540.6 (Pessinus), etc.; Ἴσιδος μ. μητρὸς θεῶν PStrassb. 81.14 (ii B.C.); μ. ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων Acts 19:28; τίς θεὸς μ. ὡς ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν; LXX Psalms 77:13(76).13; ὁ μ. θεός Titus 2:13; of men, μ. ἠδὲ κραταιός Od. 18.382; ὀλίγος καὶ μ. Callin. 1.17, etc.; μέγας ηὐξήθη rose to greatness, D. 2.5; ἤρθη μ. ib.8; βασιλεὺς ὁ μ., i. e. the King of Persia, Hdt. 1.188, etc. (θεῶν β. ὁ μ., of Zeus, Pi. O. 7.34); βασιλεὺς μ. A. Pers. 24 (anap.); as a title of special monarchs, Ἀρδιαῖος ὁ μ. Pl. R. 615c; ὁ μ. Ἀλέξανδρος Ath. 1.3d; ὁ μ. ἐπικληθεὶς Ἀντίοχος Plb. 4.2.7, etc.; μ. φίλος E. Med. 549; πλούτῳ τε κἀνδρείᾳ μ. Id. Tr. 674; ἐπὶ μέγα ἦλθεν ἰσχύος Th. 2.97.
2. strong, of the elements, etc., ἄνεμος, λαῖλαψ, Ζέφυρος, Od. 19.200, 12.408, 14.458; of properties, passions, qualities, feelings, etc., of men, θάρσος, πένθος, ποθή, etc., 9.381, Il. 1.254, 11.471, etc.; ἀρετή Od. 24.193, Pi. O. 8.5; θυμός Il. 9.496, E. Or. 702; κλέος Il. 6.446; ἄχος 9.9; πυρετός Luke 4:38 (incorrect acc. to Gal. 7.275); ἡ μ. νοῦσος epilepsy, Hp. Epid. 6.6.5, cf. Gal. 17(2).341.
3. of sounds, great, loud, ἀλαλητός, ἰαχή, πάταγος, ὀρυμαγδός, Il. 12.138, 15.384, 21.9, 256; θόρυβοι, κωκυτός, S. Aj. 142 (anap.), E. Med. 1176; οὐκ ἔστι ὅκως τι νεῖκος ἔσται ἢ μέγα ἢ σμικρόν Hdt. 3.62; μὴ φώνει μέγα S. Ph. 574.
4. generally, great, mighty, ὅρκος Il. 19.113; ὄλβος, τιμά, Pi. O. 1.56, P. 4.148; μ. λόγος, μῦθος, a great story, rumour, A. Pr. 732, S. Aj. 226 (lyr.); ἐρώτημα a big, i. e. difficult, question, Pl. Euthd. 275d, Hp.Ma. 287b; weighty, important, τόδε μεῖζον Od. 16.291; μέγα ποιέεσθαί τι to esteem of great importance, Hdt. 3.42, cf. 9.111; μέγα γενέσθαι εἴς τι X. HG 7.5.6; μ. ὑπάρχειν πρός τι Id. Mem. 2.3.4; μέγα διαφέρειν εἴς τι Pl. Lg. 78o c; οὐκ ἂν εἴη παρὰ μέγα τὸ δικολογεῖν not of great importance, Phld. Rh. 2.85 S.; τὸ δὲ μέγιστον and what is most important, Th. 4.70, cf. 1.142; οἱ μέγιστοι καιροί the most pressing emergencies, D. 20.44; μ. ὠνησάμενοι χρημάτων for large sums, Plb. 4.50.3, etc.
5. with a bad sense, over-great, μέγα εἰπεῖν to speak big, and so provoke divine wrath, Od. 22.288; λίην μέγα εἶπες 3.227, 16.243; μέγα ἔργον 3.261, Pi. N. 10.64; ἔργων μ. A. Ag. 1546 (anap.); ὠμὸν τὸ βούλευμα καὶ μ. Th. 3.36; ἔπος μ., μ. λόγοι, S. Aj. 423 (lyr.), Ant. 1350 (anap.); μ. γλῶσσα ib. 127 (anap.); μηδὲν μέγ' εἴπῃς Id. Aj. 386; μὴ μέγα λέγε Pl. Phd. 95b; μὴ μεγάλα λίαν λέγε Ar. Ra. 835; μέγα φρονεῖν S. OT 1078, E. Hipp. 6; μεγάλα φρονεῖν Ar. Ach. 988; μεγάλα, μεῖζον ἢ δικαίως πνεῖν, E. Andr. 189, A. Ag. 376 (lyr.); μέγα τι παθεῖν X. An. 5.8.17; μὴ μέγα λέγων μεῖζον πάθῃς E. HF 1244.
6. of style. impressive, Demetr. Eloc. 278; μεῖζον more striking, ib. 103.
7. of days, long, Gal. 12.714. Adv. μεγάλως [ᾰ ] greatly, mightily, Od. 16.432, Hes. Th. 429, Hdt. 1.16, 30, al., X. Cyr. 8.2.10, Parth. 28.1, etc.; strengthd., μάλα μ. Il. 17.723; δμαθέντες μ. A. Pers. 907 (lyr.); with Adjs., Hdt. 1.4, 7.190.
III more freq. neut. sg. μέγα as
1. Adv., very much, exceedingly, μ. χαῖρε all hail!, v. l. for μάλα in Od. 24.402; esp. with Verbs expressing strong feeling, μ. κεν κεχαροίατο Il. 1.256; μ. κήδεται 2.27, etc.: with Verbs expressing power, might, μ. πάντων.. κρατέει 1.78; ὃς μ. πάντων.. ἤνασσε 10.32; πατρὸς μ. δυναμένοιο Od. 1.276, cf. Hom. Epigr. 15.1, A. Eu. 950 (anap.), E. Hel. 1358 (lyr.), Ar. Ra. 141, Pl. R. 366a; μ. δύνασθαι παρά τινι Th. 2.29; πλουτέειν μ. Hdt. 1.32; or those expressing sound, loudly, μ. ἰάχειν, ἀῧσαι, βοῆσαι, εὔξασθαι, ἀμβῶσαι, Il. 2.333, 14.147, 17.334, Od. 17.239, Hdt. 1.8 (also pl., μεγάλ' εὔχετο Il. 1.450; μ. αὐδήσαντος, μ. ἤπυεν, Od. 4.505, 9.399): strengthd., μάλα μ. Il. 15.321; μ. δ' ἔβραχε φήγινος ἄξων 5.838, etc.: so in Trag. with all kinds of Verbs, μ. στένειν, σθένειν, χλίειν, A. Ag. 711 (lyr.), 938, Ch. 137: also in pl., μεγάλα.. δυστυχεῖς Id. Eu. 791 (lyr.).
2. of Space, far, μέγα προθορών Il. 14.363; ἄνευθε μέγα far away, 22.88; οὐκ ἂν μέγα τι τῆς ἀληθείας παρεξέλθοις Pl. Phlb. 66b.
3. with Adjs., as μέγ' ἔξοχος, μέγα νήπιος, Il. 2.480, 16.46; μ. νήπιε Orac. ap. Hdt. 1.85; μ. πλούσιος Id. 1.32, 7.190; ὦ μέγ' εὔδαιμον κόρη A. Pr. 647: with Comp. and Sup., by far, μέγ' ἀμείνονες, ἄριστος, φέρτατος, Il. 4.405, 2.82, 16.21. degrees of Comparison (regul. μεγαλώτερος, -ώτατος late, EM 780.1, 2): 1 Comp. μείζων, ον, gen. ονος, , Att. (also Delph., SIG 246 H 260 (iv B. C.)); Ion., Arc., Dor., Aeol. μέζων, ον, Heraclit. 25, Hp. Acut. 44, Hdt. 1.26, IG 7.235.16 (Oropus), 5(2).3.18 (Tegea), Epich. 62 (also early Att., IG 12.22.65, but [ με] ίζων ib.6.93, by analogy of ὀλείζων ib.76,95); dat. pl. μεζόνεσσι Diotog. ap. Stob. 4.7.62: written μέσδων in Sapph. Supp. 7.6, Plu. Lyc. 19: cf. μέττον· μεῖζον, Hsch. (dub.); later μειζότερος 3 John 1:4 (used as title, elder, POxy. 943.3 (vi A. D.), etc.); μειζονώτερος A. Fr. 434: —
1. greater, longer, taller, Il. 3.168, 9.202, etc.; freq. also, too great, γέρας Pl. Sph. 231a; Μηνόφιλος μείζων M. the elder, Ostr.Bodl. v C 2 (ii A. D.); as title, μειζων κώμης headman of a village, POxy. 1626.5 (iv A. D.), etc.: generally, the higher authority, PLond. 2.214.22 (iii A. D.), POxy. 1204.17 (pl., iii A. D.); οὔτε μεῖζον οὔτε ἔλαττον, a strong form of denial, nothing whatever, D.H. Comp. 4; οὐδαμὰ προὔφηνεν οὔτε μείζον' οὔτ' ἐλάττονα S. Tr. 324. Adv. μειζόνως E. Hec. 1121, Th. 1.130, X. Cyn. 13.3, Isoc. 9.21, etc.; Ion. μεζόνως Hdt. 3.128, Herod. 4.80, etc.: neut. as Adv., μεῖζον σθένειν S. Ph. 456, E. Supp. 216; μ. ἰσχύειν D. 3.28; ἐπὶ μ. ἔρχεται S. Ph. 259.
2. Sup. μέγιστος, η, ον, Il. 2.412, etc.: neut. as Adv., μέγιστον ἴσχυσε S. Aj. 502; δυνάμενος μ., c. gen., Hdt. 7.5, 9.9: with another Sup., μέγιστον ἐχθίστη E. Med. 1323: in pl., χαῖρ' ὡς μέγιστα S. Ph. 462; θάλλει μ. Id. OC 700 (lyr.); τὰ μέγιστ' ἐτιμάθης Id. OT 1203 (lyr.); ἐς μέγιστον ib. 521; ἐς τὰ μ. Hdt. 8.111: — late Sup. μεγιστότατος PLond. 1.130.49 (i/ii A. D.). (Cf. Skt. majmán - 'greatness', Lat. magnus, Goth. mikils 'great'.)
μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα ((related to Latinmagnus, magister, Goth.maist (cf. τό πλεῖστον), etc.; Vanicek, p. 682; Curtius, § 462)), accusative μέγαν, μεγάλην, μέγα; plural μεγάλοι, μεγάλαι, μεγάλα; comparative μείζων, μεῖζον (accusative masculine and feminine μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, John 5:36 (R G T WH, but L Tr μείζων (cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 119)); neuter plural μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, John 1:50(51)) and μειζότερος, 3 John 1:4 (from the comparitive μείζων), a poetic comparison, on which see the remark quoted under ἐλαχιστοτερος, cf. Matthiae, § 136; superlative μέγιστος (found only in 2 Peter 1:4); (from Homer down); the Sept. for גָּדול; also for רַב; great;
1. predicated a. of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons); in particular, of space and its dimensions — as respects α. mass and weight: λίθος, Matthew 27:60; Mark 16:4; Revelation 18:21; ὄρος, Revelation 8:8; ἀστήρ, Revelation 8:10; (δράκων, Revelation 12:3, 9; ἀετός, Revelation 12:14; δένδρον, Luke 13:19 (T WH omit; L Tr brackets μέγα); κλάδοι, Mark 4:32; ἰχθύες, John 21:11; β. compass and extent; large, spacious: σκηνή (μείζων), Hebrews 9:11; ἀνάγαιον (R ἀνώγεον, which see), Mark 14:15; ἀποθήκη, Luke 12:18; κάμινος, Revelation 9:2; πόλις, Revelation 11:8; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:18; Revelation 18:2, 16, 18, 19; ποταμός, Revelation 9:14; Revelation 16:12; θύρα, 1 Corinthians 16:9; ληνός, Revelation 14:19; ὀθόνη, Acts 10:11; Acts 11:5; χάσμα, Luke 16:26 (2 Samuel 18:17). γ. measure and height: οἰκοδομαί, Mark 13:2; θρόνος, Revelation 20:11; long, μάχαιρα, Revelation 6:4; as respects stature and age, μικροί καί μεγάλοι, small and great, young and old, Acts 8:10; Acts 26:22; Hebrews 8:11; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, 18; Revelation 20:12 (Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 23:2; 2 Chronicles 34:30). (neuter singular used adverbially: ἐν μεγάλῳ, Acts 26:29 L T Tr WH (for R G ἐν πολλῷ, which see in πολύς, d.) in great namely, degree. The apostle plays upon Agrippa's words ἐν ὀλίγῳ (which see) in a little (time) thou woulds fain etc ... I would to God that both in little and in great i. e. in all respects etc.; cf. the use of ὀλίγον καί μέγα or μικρόν καί μέγα (yet in negative sentences) to express totality; e. g. Plato, Phileb. 21 e.; Apology 19 c.; 21 b.; 26 b.; but see d. below.)
b. of number and quantity, equivalent to numerous, large: ἀγέλη, Mark 5:11; abundant, πορισμός, 1 Timothy 6:6; μισθαποδοσία, Hebrews 10:35.
c. of age: ὁ μείζων, the elder, Romans 9:12 after Genesis 25:23 (Σκιπιων ὁ μέγας, Polybius 18, 18 (35), 9; 32, 12, 1).
d. used of intensity and its degrees: δύναμις, Acts 4:33; Acts 8:10; neuter ἐν μεγάλῳ, with great effort, Acts 26:29 L T Tr WH (but see γ. above); of the affections and emotions of the mind: χαρά, Matthew 2:10; Matthew 28:8; Luke 2:10; Luke 24:52; Acts 15:3; φόβος, Mark 4:41; Luke 2:9; Luke 8:37; Acts 5:5, 11; Revelation 11:11; θυμός, Revelation 12:12; λύπη, Romans 9:2; ἔκστασις, Mark 5:42 (Genesis 27:33); πιστός, Matthew 15:28; χάρις, Acts 4:33; ἀγάπη John 15:13. of natural events powerfully affecting the senses, equivalent to violent, mighty, strong: ἄνεμος, John 6:18; Revelation 6:13; βροντή, Revelation 14:2; χάλαζα, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:21; σεισμός, Matthew 8:24; Matthew 28:2; Luke 21:11; Acts 16:26; Revelation 6:12; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 16:18; λαῖλαψ, Mark 4:37; πτῶσις, Matthew 7:27. of other external things, such as are perceived by hearing: κραυγεη, Acts 23:9; Revelation 14:18 (R G); μεῖζον κράζειν, to cry out the louder, Matthew 20:31; φωνῆς, Matthew 24:31 (T omits φονης, WH only in marginal reading);
2. predicated of rank, as belonging to a. persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power; as God, and sacred personages: Θεός, Titus 2:13 ((on which see Prof. Abbot, Note C. in Journ. See Biblical Literature, etc. i., p. 19, and cf. ἐπιφάνεια)); Ἄρτεμις, Acts 19:27f, 34f; ἀρχιερεύς, Hebrews 4:14; ποιμήν, Hebrews 13:20; προφήτης, Luke 7:16; absolutely, οἱ μεγάλοι, great men, leaders, rulers, Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; universally, eminent, distinguished: Matthew 5:19; Matthew 20:26; Luke 1:15, 32; Acts 8:9. μείζων is used of those who surpass others — either in nature and power, as God: John 10:29 (here T Tr WH text give the neuter (see below)); John 10:28; Hebrews 6:13; 1 John 4:4; add, John 4:12; John 8:53; or in excellence, worth, authority, etc.: Matthew 11:11; Matthew 18:1; Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:34; Luke 7:28; Luke 9:46; Luke 22:26; John 13:16; John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 14:5; δυνάμει μείζονες, 2 Peter 2:11; neuter μεῖζον, something higher, more exalted, more majestic than the temple, to wit the august person of Jesus the Messiah and his preeminent influence, Matthew 12:6 L T Tr WH; (cf. John 10:29 above); contextually equivalent to strict in condemning, of God, 1 John 3:20.
b. things to be esteemed highly for their importance, equivalent to Latingravis; of great moment, of great wight, important: ἐπαγγέλματα, 2 Peter 1:4; ἐντολή, Matthew 22:36, 38; μσυτηριον, Ephesians 5:32; 1 Timothy 3:16; ἁμαρτία, John 19:11; μείζων μαρτυρία, of greater proving power, John 5:36 (see above at the beginning); 1 John 5:9 (μαρτυρίαν μείζω καί σαφεστεραν, Isocrates Archid. § 32). μέγας equivalent to solemn, sacred, of festival days (cf. Isaiah 1:18, the Sept.): ἡμέρα, John 7:37; John 19:31; notable, august, ἡμέρα, of the day of the final judgment, Acts 2:20; Jude 1:6; Revelation 6:17; Revelation 16:14. neuter μέγα, a great matter, thing of great moment: 1 Corinthians 9:11 (Genesis 45:28; Isaiah 49:6); οὐ μέγα, 2 Corinthians 11:15.
c. a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence, equivalent to excellent: 1 Corinthians 13:13 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 35, i. Buttmann, § 123, 13); τά χαρίσματα τά μείζονα (R G κρείττονα), 1 Corinthians 12:31 L T Tr WH.
3. splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately: δοχή, Luke 5:29 (Genesis 21:8); δεῖπνον, Luke 14:16; Revelation 19:17 (G L T Tr WH) (Daniel 5:1 (Theod.)); οἰκία, 2 Timothy 2:20 (Jeremiah 52:13; (οἶκος), 2 Chronicles 2:5, 9).
4. neuter plural μεγάλα, great things: of God's preeminent blessings, Luke 1:49 L T Tr WH (see μεγαλεῖος); of things which overstep the province of a created being, proud (presumptuous) things, full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God: λαλοῦν μεγάλα joined with βλασφημίας, Revelation 13:5; Daniel 7:8, 11, 20; like μέγα εἰπεῖν, Homer, Odyssey 3, 227; 16, 243; 22, 288.
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μέγας , μεγάλη , μέγα ,
[in LXX chiefly for H1419, also for H7227, H4766 (incl. μείζων ), H7230 (μέγιστος );]
great;
1. of external form, bodily size, measure, extent: λίθος , Matthew 27:60; δράκων , Revelation 12:3; ἰχθῦς , John 21:11; πόλις , Revelation 11:8; μάχαιρα , Revelation 6:4, al.
2. Of intensity and degree : δύναμις , Acts 4:33; φόβος , Mark 4:41; ἀγάπη , John 15:13; ἄνεμος , John 6:18; κραυγή , Acts 23:9; φῶς , Matthew 4:16; πυρετός , Luke 4:38; θλίψις , Matthew 24:21.
3. Of rank;
(a) of persons: θεός (MM, xvi), Titus 2:13; Ἄρτεμις , Acts 19:27; compar. (v. infr.), Matthew 18:1 (cf. Dalman, Words, 113 f.); neut. for masc. (B1., § 32, 1), Matthew 12:6;
(b) of things : ἁμαρτία , John 19:11; μυστήριον , Ephesians 5:32; = μεγίστη (v. infr., and cf. Field, Notes, 16 f.), Matthew 22:36; compar. for superl. (M, Pr., 78), 1 Corinthians 13:13.
4. (a) Compar., μείζων : Matthew 11:11; Matthew 23:17, al.; neut. pl., μείζονα , contr. μείζω , John 1:51; double compar., μειζότερος (M, Pr., 236; B1., § 11, 4), 3 John 1:4;
(b) superl., μέγιστος (Deiss., BS, 365), 2 Peter 1:4.
Copyright © 1922 by G. Abbott-Smith, D.D., D.C.L.. T & T Clarke, London.
The frequency with which μέγας is employed as a predicate of heathen gods and goddesses, e.g. P Strass II.81.14 (B.C. 115) Ἴσιδος μεγάλης μητρὸς θεῶν, P Oxy VI. 886.2 (a magical formula–iii/A.D.) μεγάλη Ἶσις ἡ κυρία (cf. Acts 19:28 μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων), makes it the more noticeable that only once in the NT is the same epithet applied to the true God (Titus 2:13) : see Thieme p. 36 f. For the repeated μέγας μέγας = a superlative, imitated from the Egyptian (Wilcken), see the question to the oracle in P Fay 137.1 (i/A.D.)(= Selections, p. 69) Σοκωννω ̣κοννῖ θεῶι μελο (l. μεγάλωι) μεγάλωι. χρημάτισόν μοι, ἦ μείνωι ἐν Βακχιάδι; ";to Sokanobkoneus the great great god. Answer me, Shall I remain in Bacchias?"; : cf. BGU III. 748iii. 6 (A.D. 48), ib. II. 590.7 (A.D. 177–8) al. In a Eumeneian inscr. published in C. and B. ii. p. 386, No. 232.5, we hear of Ῥουβῇ μεγάλοιο θ [εοῦ ] θεράποντι, and Ramsay regards the name Roubes as a Grecized form of the Jewish Reuben (Ῥουβήν), and the ";great god"; as Jehovah. For μέγας used of the Ptolemaic kings, cf. OGIS 94.2 with reference to Ptolemy V. Epiphanes—ὑπὲρ βασιλέως Πτολεμαίου, θεοῦ Ἐπιφανοῦς μεγάλου Εὐχαρίστου, and the other exx. cited by Dittenberger ad l.
In P Magd 36.1 (iii/B.C.) (= Chrest. I. p. 365) Μαρρῆς μέγας, the epithet is used to distinguish the ";older"; of two persons bearing the same name, like our own ";senior"; : so in P Petr II. 25 (i).9 (iii/B.C.) Μάνρης μέγας, not ";long Manres,"; as Mahaffy ad l., cf. also ib. pp. 32, 42. Similarly μικρός means ";junior.";
In P Hib I. 29 (a) recto.9 (c. B.C. 265) (= Chrest. I. p. 306) provision is made that a proclamation shall be inscribed on a white notice-board—γράψ ̣ας εἰς λεύκωμα μ [ε ]γάλο ̣ι ̣ς γράμ ̣μ ̣α ̣σ ̣ι ̣ν ̣, where the adj. points to ";large"; distinct letters, in order to draw attention to what was written : cf. P Oxy VIII. 1100.8 (A.D. 206) εὐδήλοις γράμμασι, with the editor’s note. [This is probably the meaning to be attached to the πηλίκα γράμματα of Galatians 6:11 : cf. Milligan Documents, p. 23 f.]. An interesting use of the adj. is also afforded by the illiterate P Oxy VII. 1069.27 (iii/A.D.) σπούδασον γὰρ τὸ κειθώνειν μου γενέστε (l. γενέσθαι) πρὸ λόγον, καί κ [α ]λὰ μέτρα αὐτῷ βαλέτωσαν καὶ μεγάλε (l. μεγάλαι ?) ἔστωσαν ἐπ ̣εὶ ῥείδης (l. ῥίζης) αὐτοῦ, ";be careful to have my tunic made properly, and let them put good measure into it, and be large–handed (i.e. generous, unstinting) in the colouring"; (Ed.). See further s.vv. μείζων and μέγιστος. In MGr the nom. is altered by the stem to μεγάλος.
Copyright © 1914, 1929, 1930 by James Hope Moulton and George Milligan. Hodder and Stoughton, London.
Derivative Copyright © 2015 by Allan Loder.
