### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **plēthos**, represented by `{{G4128}}`, describes a fulness, a large number, or a throng. It appears **32 times** in **32 unique verses**, carrying the meaning of a multitude, company, or even a bundle. This term is used to quantify both people and objects, signifying a great quantity in various contexts throughout the New Testament.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{G4128}}` is frequently used to describe the large crowds that followed Jesus and the apostles. A "great **multitude**" from Galilee and Judaea followed him [[Mark 3:7]], and the "whole **multitude** of the disciples" praised God for the mighty works they had seen [[Luke 19:37]]. The term also denotes the collective body of the early church, as when "the **multitude** of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" [[Acts 4:32]]. Beyond groups of people, it describes a large quantity of objects, such as a miraculous "multitude of fishes" [[Luke 5:6]] or a "bundle of sticks" gathered by Paul [[Acts 28:3]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the scope of a **multitude**:
* `{{G4183}}` **polýs** (many; much): This word often quantifies **plēthos**, creating the common phrase "great **multitude**" to emphasize the vast number of people present ([[Acts 14:1]], [[Mark 3:8]]).
* `{{G2992}}` **laós** (a people): While **plēthos** refers to a crowd or number, **laós** refers to a people as a collective. The two are used together to describe a "great **multitude** of **people**" [[Luke 6:17]], showing how a crowd is formed from the populace.
* `{{G3101}}` **mathētḗs** (disciple): This term for a learner is often used in conjunction with **plēthos** to refer to the entire group of followers, such as when the twelve addressed "the **multitude** of the **disciples**" [[Acts 6:2]].
* `{{G2486}}` **ichthýs** (a fish): This word is directly linked to **plēthos** in the accounts of the disciples enclosing a "great **multitude** of **fishes**," so many that their nets began to break ([[Luke 5:6]], [[John 21:6]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4128}}` is seen in its application to God's work among humanity.
* **The Growth of the Church:** The term illustrates the rapid expansion of believers in the early church. After the apostles began their ministry, believers were added to the Lord in "multitudes" [[Acts 5:14]], and "the whole **multitude**" gathered to make key decisions [[Acts 6:5]].
* **The Scope of Forgiveness:** In a significant theological statement, **plēthos** is used to describe the vastness of human sin that can be forgiven. Fervent **charity** `{{G26}}` is said to **cover** `{{G2572}}` "the **multitude** of sins" ([[1 Peter 4:8]], [[James 5:20]]).
* **Divine Promise and Power:** The word is used to affirm God's promise to Abraham, whose descendants would be like the "stars of the sky in **multitude**" [[Hebrews 11:12]]. It also describes the "heavenly **host** `{{G4756}}`" that appeared praising God at Jesus' birth [[Luke 2:13]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4128}}` is a versatile term that moves beyond a simple count of people or things. It serves as a measure of God's expansive work, from the innumerable descendants promised to Abraham, to the crowds who witnessed Christ's power, to the vast number of sins covered by love. The word effectively communicates the scale of the early church's growth and the immense scope of divine power and grace.
TRV