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μᾶλλον

mâllon

G3123 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Comparative adverb meaning 'more,' signifying a greater degree, extent, or preference; also used to introduce contrast ('rather') or emphasis on increased intensity. It may function to intensify a statement, indicate something is preferred above another, or mark a correction/explanation.

Semantic Range

more (in degree), rather (in preference or contrast), to a greater extent, still more, all the more, instead; intensifier in argument or rhetoric

Root / Etymology

From the same root as μᾶλα (an old adverb meaning 'very, exceedingly'), with the comparative ending -ον; thus, literally 'more' or 'to a greater degree.' Related to the superlative μάλιστα ('most, especially').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, μᾶλλον is the standard comparative adverb for 'more,' indicating increased degree, quantity, or preference (e.g., 'more diligently,' 'rather than'). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently marks contrast or correction, as in 'rather,' and occurs in arguments to strengthen or qualify the preceding statement. English translations sometimes render μᾶλλον as 'rather,' 'all the more,' or 'instead,' but these do not always capture its full comparative nuance. In some instances, especially in rhetorical or argumentative contexts, μᾶλλον expresses that one thing is much more or even more to be expected, thus intensifying the logical progression (cf. Romans 5:9-10). The sense of quantity ('to a greater extent') or preference is context-dependent. While English often requires a syntactic restructuring for natural rendering, the Greek μᾶλλον maintains a flexible usage from simple comparison to logical emphasis.

Translation Consistency

primary "more" 50 occurrences

μᾶλλον is primarily a comparative/adverbial intensifier and in the large majority of P2 occurrences functions as 'more' (degree, extent, still more). 'More' is the most natural, broadly applicable English equivalent and can cover comparative, intensified, and preference/contrast senses in a consistent way; rarer readings like 'rather' or 'instead' will be handled by context-specific exceptions.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of the comparative of the same as μάλιστα; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.

Root Family

μαλλ- (mâllon) — to increase, to prefer, to exceed

Root μαλλ- to increase, to prefer, to exceed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3123-01 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more 81

Occurrences in Scripture

81 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3123-01 Matthew 6:26 μᾶλλον mallon ADV much more more
G3123-01 Matthew 6:30 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Matthew 7:11 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Matthew 10:6 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Matthew 10:25 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Matthew 10:28 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Matthew 18:13 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Matthew 25:9 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Matthew 27:24 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Mark 5:26 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Mark 7:36 μᾶλλον mallon ADV the more more more
G3123-01 Mark 9:42 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Mark 10:48 μᾶλλον mallon ADV all the more more more
G3123-01 Mark 15:11 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Luke 5:15 μᾶλλον mallon ADV even more more even more
G3123-01 Luke 11:13 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Luke 12:24 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Luke 12:28 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Luke 18:39 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 John 3:19 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 John 5:18 μᾶλλον mallon ADV all the more more more
G3123-01 John 12:43 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 John 19:8 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Acts 4:19 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Acts 5:14 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Acts 5:29 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 Acts 9:22 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Acts 20:35 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Acts 22:2 μᾶλλον mallon ADV the more more more
G3123-01 Acts 27:11 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 5:9 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 5:10 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 5:15 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 5:17 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 8:34 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more than that more more
G3123-01 Romans 11:12 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 11:24 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 Romans 14:13 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 5:2 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 6:7 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 6:7 μᾶλλον mallon-2 ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 7:21 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 9:12 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 9:15 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 12:22 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 14:1 μᾶλλον mallon ADV especially more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 14:5 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 1 Corinthians 14:18 μᾶλλον mallon ADV more more more
G3123-01 2 Corinthians 2:7 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
G3123-01 2 Corinthians 3:8 μᾶλλον mallon ADV rather more more
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