μάλιστα (G3122) — Greek Lexicon

μάλιστα

málista

G3122 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

An adverb of the highest degree, indicating 'most of all,' 'especially,' or 'in particular.' It primarily signals the greatest extent or degree within a set, and in specific contexts, it may point to something or someone singled out as preeminent or particularly worthy of attention within a group.

Semantic Range

most of all, especially, particularly, chiefly, above all, in the highest degree, to a maximal extent

Root / Etymology

From the superlative form of μᾶλλον ('more, rather'). It is the neuter plural nominative/accusative of the superlative (from root μαλ-) with the adverbial -ιστα ending. Its connection to a supposed primary adverb is speculative; the word is formed regularly within Greek morphological patterns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Μάλιστα is well-attested from classical Greek onward (e.g., Herodotus, Plato) and continues in Hellenistic and Koine Greek with essentially the same sense. It is regularly used to intensify or emphasize a superlative among alternatives (e.g., 'most of all,' 'chiefly,' 'especially'). In the New Testament and Septuagint, μάλιστα consistently functions as an adverb indicating heightened emphasis or particular focus (e.g., 1 Tim 5:8, Gal 6:10). English translations often render it as 'especially,' 'chiefly,' or 'particularly,' which generally match its semantic value, though occasionally the nuance of exclusivity or superlative emphasis may be more pronounced in Greek than English equivalents. The term is distinct from μᾶλλον ('rather, more'), with μάλιστα conveying the maximal or superlative degree, while μᾶλλον conveys comparative degree. Its usage did not shift significantly between Classical and Koine periods.

Translation Consistency

primary "especially" 12 occurrences

Matches the most frequent P2 rendering (9 of 12), conveys the primary SILEX sense of ‘most of all/particularly/above all,’ and reads naturally in English across the various contexts where μάλιστα occurs. ‘Most’ is sometimes ambiguous or comparative; ‘especially’ consistently captures the adverb’s typical force.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly:--chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially.

Root Family

μάλιστα (malista) — most, especially, above all, in the greatest degree

Root μαλ- most, especially, above all, in the greatest degree

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3122-01`	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially	12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3122-01`	Acts 20:38	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	most of all	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Acts 25:26	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Acts 26:3	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Galatians 6:10	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Philippians 4:22	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	1 Timothy 4:10	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	1 Timothy 5:8	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	1 Timothy 5:17	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	2 Timothy 4:13	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Titus 1:10	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	Philemon 1:16	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially
`G3122-01`	2 Peter 2:10	μάλιστα	malista	`ADV SUPL`	especially	most of all	especially

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