### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb elattóō (`{{G1642}}`) is derived from the comparative adjective elassōn (`{{G1641}}`), meaning "less," "smaller," or "inferior." Consequently, elattóō carries the core semantic range of "to make less," "to diminish," "to reduce," or "to cause to be inferior." While it can denote a reduction in quantity or size, its primary biblical usage, as indicated by its base definition, pertains to a decrease in rank, status, influence, or honor. In the passive voice, it signifies "to be made less," "to decrease," or "to become lower." This word encapsulates the idea of a deliberate or divinely ordained lowering, often with significant theological implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term elattóō appears three times in the New Testament, each instance offering profound theological insight:
1. **[[John 3:30]]**: "He must increase, but I must decrease." Here, John the Baptist humbly declares the necessary trajectory of his ministry in relation to that of Jesus Christ. John, as the forerunner, understands that his purpose is to prepare the way for the Messiah. As Jesus' ministry begins to flourish, John's own influence is destined to diminish. This is not a lament but a joyful recognition of divine order. The active voice of elattóō here signifies a self-aware and willing reduction of prominence, highlighting John's exemplary humility and his correct assessment of Christ's unique and supreme role. This verse stands as a foundational statement on the nature of true spiritual leadership, where the servant's aim is to magnify Christ, not self.
2. **[[Hebrews 2:7]]**: "You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor." This verse, part of a lengthy exposition on the superiority of Christ, quotes from Psalm 8:5 (LXX). The passive voice of elattóō ("was made lower") refers to the incarnate Christ. The author of Hebrews uses this phrase to describe the temporary condescension of the Son of God, who, though divine, took on human flesh and experienced the limitations and mortality inherent in humanity. This "lowering" was a necessary part of His mission to identify with humanity and to suffer on its behalf.
3. **[[Hebrews 2:9]]**: "But we see Jesus, who was made for a little while lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." This verse reiterates and expands upon the statement in [[Hebrews 2:7]]. It clarifies that Jesus' temporary lowering was specifically for the purpose of experiencing death, a fate to which humanity is subject. This act of divine condescension, expressed through elattóō, was not an ultimate demotion but a strategic step in God's redemptive plan, leading directly to Christ's exaltation and His role as the perfect Savior and High Priest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "lessening" or "decreasing" inherent in elattóō is illuminated by its relationship to other biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **Antonyms:** The most direct antonym is auxanō (`{{G837}}`), meaning "to increase" or "to grow," as seen in the direct contrast in [[John 3:30]]. Other related concepts of increase include megalunō (`{{G3170}}`, to magnify, make great).
* **Synonyms/Related Concepts:**
* tapeinóō (`{{G5013}}`): "to humble," "to make low." While elattóō often refers to a reduction in status or influence, tapeinóō emphasizes the act of humbling oneself or being humbled, often in a moral or spiritual sense. Jesus' self-emptying (kenosis) described in [[Philippians 2:7]] is closely related to the idea of "making lower."
* meion (`{{G3397}}`): "less," "smaller" (adverb/adjective).
* **Thematic Connections:** The word elattóō is intrinsically linked to themes of divine condescension, the incarnation of Christ, the nature of humility, and the proper posture of a servant in God's kingdom. It speaks to the necessity of self-effacement for the greater glory of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of elattóō is profound, particularly in two key areas:
1. **Christology and Soteriology:** The usage in Hebrews 2 is foundational to understanding the person and work of Christ. Jesus, who is eternally God, willingly submitted to being "made lower" than the angels by taking on human form. This was not a diminution of His divine essence but a temporary condescension in status and experience, essential for Him to fully identify with humanity's plight, suffer death, and thereby conquer it. This act of "lessening" was the very means by which He became the perfect High Priest and the source of eternal salvation. It underscores the depth of divine love and the reality of the incarnation as a redemptive act.
2. **Discipleship and Ministry:** John the Baptist's declaration in [[John 3:30]] provides a powerful paradigm for Christian life and ministry. True spiritual maturity and effective service involve a willingness to "decrease" so that Christ might "increase." This calls for radical humility, self-denial, and a relentless focus on exalting Jesus rather than oneself. It challenges the human tendency towards self-promotion and highlights that the ultimate goal of any believer or ministry is to point beyond themselves to the preeminence of Christ. This "lessening" of self is not a loss but a spiritual gain, as it allows Christ's light to shine more brightly through the servant.
### Summary
Elattóō (`{{G1642}}`) signifies "to make less," "to diminish," or "to lower in rank or influence." Its biblical occurrences reveal two primary theological applications. In [[John 3:30]], it describes John the Baptist's humble and necessary decrease in prominence as Jesus' ministry ascends, serving as a model for self-effacing service. More profoundly, in [[Hebrews 2:7]] and [[Hebrews 2:9]], it articulates the temporary but crucial "lowering" of Jesus Christ during His incarnation. This divine condescension, where the Son of God was "made for a little while lower than the angels," was an act of profound love and obedience, essential for Him to taste death for humanity and secure salvation. Thus, elattóō is a word central to understanding both the humility required in Christian discipleship and the redemptive strategy inherent in Christ's incarnational work.
TRV