from πᾶς and πολύς; full many, i.e. immense:--very great.
Transliteration:pámpolys
Pronunciation:pam-pol-ooce
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word πάμπολυς (pámpolys, `{{G3827}}`) is a compound adjective formed from πᾶς (pas, `{{G3956}}`), meaning "all" or "every," and πολύς (polys, `{{G4183}}`), meaning "much" or "many." This etymological construction inherently signifies an intensification of quantity or magnitude. Thus, πάμπολυς conveys a sense of "full many," "very much," "exceedingly great," or "immense." It describes something that is not merely numerous or large, but overwhelmingly so, pushing beyond the ordinary bounds of "many" to denote an immense or exceedingly abundant quantity. Its rarity in the New Testament lexicon suggests that its usage carries a specific emphasis on an extraordinary scale.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word πάμπολυς (pámpolys, `{{G3827}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Mark:
* **[[Mark 6:35]]**: "When it was already late, His disciples came to Him and said, 'This place is desolate and it is already late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves something to eat.' For there were πάμπολυς (a very great multitude)." (The ESV translates "for there were very many people").
In this sole occurrence, πάμπολυς is used by the disciples to describe the crowd (ὄχλος, `{{G3793}}`) that had gathered around Jesus. The context is the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples, observing the vast number of people and the lateness of the hour in a desolate location, felt overwhelmed by the logistical challenge of feeding such a multitude. Their use of πάμπολυς emphasizes the sheer, overwhelming size of the crowd, highlighting their perception of an impossible situation from a human perspective. This description sets the stage for Jesus' miraculous provision, where He takes five loaves and two fish and miraculously feeds the "very great" multitude, with twelve baskets of leftovers. The word thus serves to underscore the magnitude of the need, making Jesus' subsequent act of divine provision all the more profound.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a compound word, πάμπολυς (pámpolys, `{{G3827}}`) is intrinsically linked to its root components:
* πᾶς (pas, `{{G3956}}`): "all," "every," "whole." It serves as the intensifier, elevating "many" to "all-many" or "full-many."
* πολύς (polys, `{{G4183}}`): "much," "many," "great." This is the core quantitative element.
Other related Greek terms that convey the idea of a large group or quantity include:
* ὄχλος (ochlos, `{{G3793}}`): "crowd," "multitude," often used in the Gospels to refer to the general populace following Jesus. This is the noun πάμπολυς modifies in [[Mark 6:35]].
* πλῆθος (plēthos, `{{G4128}}`): "multitude," "great number," "assembly." It can refer to a large quantity or a large group of people.
* πολύς (polys, `{{G4183}}`) itself, without the intensifier, also frequently denotes "many" or "much."
The concept conveyed by πάμπολυς is that of overwhelming abundance or number, setting the stage for divine intervention that transcends human capacity. It relates to themes of human limitation versus divine omnipotence and sufficiency.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of πάμπολυς (pámpolys, `{{G3827}}`) in [[Mark 6:35]] carries significant theological weight. It serves as a stark descriptor of the overwhelming human need that confronted Jesus and His disciples. The disciples' declaration that the multitude was "very great" (πάμπολυς) reveals their human assessment of the situation: the problem was immense, beyond their resources, and seemingly unsolvable. This highlights the reality of human limitation and inadequacy when faced with overwhelming challenges.
However, it is precisely against this backdrop of "very great" human need that the "very great" power and compassion of Christ are demonstrated. Jesus does not dismiss the multitude but commands His disciples to feed them, then proceeds to perform a miracle that defies all human logic and resourcefulness. The immense number of people, emphasized by πάμπολυς, magnifies the miracle of the loaves and fish, showcasing Jesus' boundless capacity to provide for the physical and spiritual hunger of humanity.
Theologically, πάμπολυς thus underscores:
1. **The vastness of human need**: It represents the immense scale of physical and spiritual hunger that characterizes a fallen world.
2. **The inadequacy of human resources**: The disciples' despair in the face of the "very great" crowd illustrates that human effort alone is insufficient to meet such profound needs.
3. **The super-abundance of divine provision**: The word sets the stage for the revelation of Christ's power, which is not merely sufficient but exceedingly abundant, capable of meeting even "very great" needs with overflowing grace. It points to a God who is able to do "exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" ([[Ephesians 3:20]]).
### Summary
The Greek word πάμπολυς (pámpolys, `{{G3827}}`) is a powerful compound adjective meaning "very great," "immense," or "exceedingly numerous." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Mark 6:35]] is profoundly significant. There, it describes the "very great multitude" that Jesus' disciples perceived as an insurmountable challenge to feed. This single usage masterfully sets the scene for the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples' use of πάμπολυς effectively communicates the overwhelming scale of human need and the utter inadequacy of human resources to meet it. Consequently, the word serves to magnify the divine power and boundless compassion of Jesus Christ, who, in the face of such immense human limitations, provided super-abundantly, demonstrating that His capacity to meet "very great" needs far exceeds any human expectation or resource.
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