The Greek word τηλικοῦτος (tēlikoûtos), represented by G5082, is used to describe something of vast magnitude, translated as so great or so mighty. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses. The term is a compound word, emphasizing the immense scale or significance of the subject it modifies, whether a physical object or a figurative concept.
In its biblical applications, G5082 consistently highlights an exceptional scale. It is used to describe the profound nature of "so great salvation" and the danger of neglecting it Hebrews 2:3. Paul uses it to emphasize the severity of the "so great a death" from which he was delivered 2 Corinthians 1:10. The word also describes physical size, such as ships that are "so great" yet controlled by a small helm James 3:4, and an apocalyptic event of "so mighty an earthquake" that is unparalleled in human history Revelation 16:18.
Several related words provide additional context for understanding magnitude and manner:
- G3173 mégas (big): This term has a very wide application for things that are big, literally or figuratively. In Revelation 16:18, it is used alongside G5082 to describe the "great earthquake," demonstrating an escalation in descriptive power. It is also used to describe "the great dragon" Revelation 12:9.
- G4459 pōs (how): This interrogative particle asks "in what way?" and often introduces a rhetorical question to emphasize a point. It appears directly with G5082 in Hebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation," using the question to magnify the importance of the salvation being described.
The significance of G5082 lies in its function as a powerful intensifier.
- Highlighting Divine Action: The word underscores the magnitude of God's work, from the "so great salvation" He offers Hebrews 2:3 to the deliverance from "so great a death" He provides 2 Corinthians 1:10.
- Illustrating a Principle: In James, the "so great" ships are used as an analogy to illustrate the power of the tongue, where something small controls something vast James 3:4.
- Describing Apocalyptic Scale: The term is used in Revelation to convey the unprecedented and overwhelming nature of end-times judgment, as seen in the "so mighty an earthquake" Revelation 16:18.
In summary, G5082 is a specific and impactful word used to convey a sense of immense scale that is otherwise difficult to express. Though used sparingly, its appearances are significant, serving to magnify the importance of core spiritual truths like salvation and deliverance, as well as to describe physical objects and events of unparalleled size and power. It forces the reader to contemplate a magnitude beyond the ordinary.
TRV