### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word πεντακισχίλιοι (G4000, transliterated as *pentakischílioi*) is a compound numeral derived from πεντάκις (`{{G4002}}`), meaning "five times," and χίλιοι (`{{G5505}}`), meaning "a thousand." Its unambiguous and singular meaning is "five thousand." As a quantitative adjective, it possesses no inherent abstract or metaphorical semantic range; its function is purely to denote a specific numerical quantity. This precision is characteristic of numerical terms in the biblical text, serving to underscore the exactitude of the events described.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πεντακισχίλιοι (G4000) appears exclusively in the New Testament, primarily in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, in the accounts of Jesus' miraculous feeding of the multitude. This event is one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels, testifying to its profound significance in the early Christian tradition.
* In [[Matthew 14:21]], following the distribution of five loaves and two fish, it is stated, "And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children."
* Similarly, [[Mark 6:44]] records, "And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men."
* [[Luke 9:14]] instructs the disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty." The preceding context clarifies this refers to "about five thousand men."
* [[John 6:10]] states, "So the men sat down, about five thousand in number."
* Later, in [[Mark 8:19]], Jesus Himself references this miracle when questioning His disciples about their understanding of His power: "When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?"
In each instance, the number "five thousand" specifically refers to the number of men, implying an even greater total number when women and children are included. This detail amplifies the scale of the miracle, highlighting the immense crowd that Jesus fed with a remarkably small amount of food. The repeated emphasis on this specific number underscores the extraordinary nature of divine provision, transforming scarcity into superabundance. The context invariably involves Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd, His command to His disciples to provide for them (despite their apparent inability), and the subsequent miraculous multiplication of food, culminating in an abundance of leftovers.
### Related Words & Concepts
The immediate lexical relatives of πεντακισχίλιοι (G4000) are its constituent parts: πεντάκις (`{{G4002}}`, "five times") and χίλιοι (`{{G5505}}`, "a thousand"). Other related numerical terms include πέντε (`{{G3999}}`, "five"), which refers to the number of loaves used in the miracle.
Conceptually, this word is intrinsically linked to:
* **Divine Provision and Abundance:** The miracle epitomizes God's ability to provide bountifully, exceeding human limitations and expectations.
* **Miracles of Jesus:** It stands as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over creation and His messianic power.
* **Compassion of Christ:** The feeding is initiated by Jesus' compassion for the hungry multitude.
* **Discipleship:** The disciples' role in distributing the food, their initial lack of resources, and their subsequent collection of the leftovers are integral to the narrative.
* **Scarcity vs. Abundance:** The contrast between the initial meager resources (five loaves, two fish) and the final superabundance (twelve baskets of leftovers) is a central theme.
* **The Bread of Life:** In John's Gospel, the feeding of the five thousand directly precedes Jesus' discourse on Himself as the "Bread of Life," connecting physical sustenance to spiritual nourishment.
### Theological Significance
While πεντακισχίλιοι (G4000) is a simple numerical descriptor, its theological significance is profound due to the pivotal event it quantifies. The feeding of the five thousand is not merely a display of power but a deeply symbolic act with multifaceted theological implications:
1. **Christ's Divine Power and Authority:** The miracle unequivocally demonstrates Jesus' divine power over the natural order, His ability to create from scarcity, and His messianic authority as the one who can provide for His people. It points to His identity as God incarnate.
2. **God's Abundant Provision:** The feeding illustrates God's boundless generosity and His commitment to providing for the needs of His people, both physically and spiritually. The "five thousand" represents a massive number of people for whom God cares intimately, ensuring their sustenance. The twelve baskets of leftovers further emphasize the superabundance, symbolizing God's provision being more than sufficient.
3. **Compassion and Care for Humanity:** Jesus' motivation for the miracle is consistently portrayed as compassion for the crowd who were "like sheep without a shepherd." The feeding of the "five thousand" underscores His deep concern for the physical well-being of humanity, which often serves as a precursor to spiritual teaching.
4. **Foreshadowing the Eucharist and Spiritual Nourishment:** Particularly in John's Gospel, the physical feeding of the "five thousand" serves as a powerful type and foreshadowing of the spiritual nourishment Jesus offers through Himself as the "Bread of Life" (cf. [[John 6:35]]). It points to the spiritual sustenance found in communion with Christ and His body, the Church.
5. **The Kingdom of God:** The orderly seating of the "five thousand" in groups (as noted in Luke) evokes imagery of the people of Israel gathered in the wilderness, anticipating the messianic banquet in the Kingdom of God. It signifies Jesus' role as the one who gathers and feeds His people.
### Summary
The Greek word πεντακισχίλιοι (G4000) precisely denotes the quantity "five thousand." Its singular biblical usage is inextricably linked to the miraculous feeding of the multitude by Jesus, an event recorded in all four Gospels. This numerical detail is crucial for emphasizing the immense scale of Jesus' divine provision and compassion. Theologically, the "five thousand" serves as a powerful testament to Christ's divine power, God's boundless generosity, His profound care for humanity's physical and spiritual needs, and foreshadows the spiritual sustenance offered through Him as the "Bread of Life." The precise enumeration underscores the reality and magnitude of God's intervention in human affairs, transforming scarcity into superabundance for a vast multitude.
TRV