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περισσός

perissós

G4053 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Superabundant, beyond the usual or expected amount; outstanding, remarkable in degree, quantity, or intensity. Used of things, qualities, or actions that exceed standard limits, and by extension indicating excess, superiority, or prominence. In some contexts, can convey a sense of surplus or excessiveness (sometimes with negative connotation), but more often denotes outstanding or extraordinary degree in Koine sources.

Semantic Range

abundant, superabundant, exceeding, extraordinary, superior, exceeding the usual, excessive, surplus, outstanding, remarkable (in degree or amount), preeminent, more than necessary

Root / Etymology

From the preposition περί ('around, about, beyond'), with the suffix -σός forming adjectives indicating quality or extent. The underlying idea is that which is 'around' or 'beyond' the normal, thus 'excessive' or 'superabundant.' No evidence of Semitic derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, περισσός described something that was excessive, extraordinary, or more than usual, often with an ambivalent nuance—either positive (noteworthy, outstanding) or negative (excessive, unnecessary). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term frequently describes the abundant nature of divine gifts, blessings, or actions, with an emphasis on the richness or generosity implied. By the Hellenistic period, περισσός had come to denote both quantitative and qualitative excess, but New Testament usage often leans toward the positive sense ('abundant') rather than 'superfluous.' English renderings such as 'abundant,' 'exceedingly,' or 'beyond measure' are common, but the term can occasionally be translated less positively as 'superfluous' or 'excessive' depending on context. The adverbial use (περισσῶς, περισσότερον) further intensifies the core meaning—'all the more,' 'especially.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from περί (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with ἐκ) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence:--exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement(-ly).

Root Family

περισσός (perissos) — to exceed, to abound, to go beyond the usual

Root περισσ- to go beyond, to exceed, to abound
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4057 περισσῶς the excess

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4053-01 περισσὸν perisson ADJ.S NOM N SG more the superabundant superabundant 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4053-01 Matthew 5:37 περισσὸν perisson ADJ.S NOM N SG more the superabundant superabundant
G4053-01 Matthew 5:47 περισσὸν perisson ADJ.S ACC N SG more the superabundant the superabundant
G4053-01 Romans 3:1 περισσὸν perisson ADJ.S NOM N SG advantage the superabundant superabundant
G4053-01 2 Corinthians 9:1 περισσόν perisson ADJ.P NOM N SG superfluous the superabundant abundance
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