The Greek word pentakischílioi, represented by G4000, is defined as five times a thousand, or simply five thousand. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used specifically as a numerical quantifier to denote a large, specific number of people.
The use of G4000 is consistently tied to a single, significant event in the Gospels: the feeding of the multitude. The word specifies the number of men present for this miracle, recorded as "about five thousand men" (Matthew 14:21, Mark 6:44). This figure, noted in multiple accounts, emphasizes the scale of the crowd that Jesus fed with only five loaves and two fish John 6:10. The number is so central to the event that Jesus later references it directly when questioning his disciples, asking if they remember "the five loaves of the five thousand" (Matthew 16:9, Mark 8:19).
Several related words provide further numerical context to the narratives where G4000 appears:
- G4002 pénte: This is the primary number for "five". It is used to describe the initial "five barley loaves" available before the miracle John 6:9.
- G4004 pentḗkonta: This word means "fifty". It is used to show the orderliness of the great crowd, as Jesus instructed his disciples to have the men sit down in groups of fifties Luke 9:14.
- G706 arithmós: This term for "a number (as reckoned up)" is used to explicitly frame the count of the crowd, noting the men sat down "in number about five thousand" John 6:10.
The narrative significance of G4000 is centered on establishing the magnitude of Christ's miracle.
- Quantifying Divine Provision: The explicit count of five thousand serves to contrast the immense human need with the sparse resources available, thereby magnifying the supernatural power displayed in the feeding.
- Establishing Witness Credibility: The consistent use of the number across multiple Gospel accounts provides a specific, verifiable detail. The figure is not a vague "multitude" but a counted group of five thousand men, "beside women and children" Matthew 14:21.
- A Foundational Lesson: Jesus uses the number as a teaching tool, ensuring the disciples recall the event not just as a miracle, but as a lesson tied to the specific numbers involved, such as the five thousand people and the twelve baskets of leftovers Mark 8:19.
In summary, G4000 pentakischílioi is a precise term used with remarkable consistency. Its sole application in the New Testament is to define the number of men fed in one of Jesus' most famous miracles. By providing this exact figure, the word serves to underscore the scale of the event, highlight the miraculous nature of the provision, and anchor the narrative in specific, memorable detail.
TRV