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πλεονέκτης

pleonéktēs

G4123 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who desires to have more than their due, especially in the sense of an individual who is grasping, greedy, or avaricious. In extended usage, refers to someone intent on gaining at the expense of others, with implications of exploitative or unscrupulous acquisition. Can denote both an internal disposition of greed and the outward behavior associated with it, such as taking advantage, defrauding, or being mercenary.

Semantic Range

greedy person, avaricious individual, one who is grasping for more, exploitative or covetous person, person given to excessive desire for gain, defrauder, mercenary, one pursuing material self-interest

Root / Etymology

From the comparative πλείων (pleiōn, 'more') + ἔχω (echō, 'to have, to hold'). The compound construction emphasizes the act or mindset of always wanting additional possessions or advantage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλεονέκτης denoted a person who sought advantage for self, especially through unfair means or excessive greed. In Hellenistic contexts, it became a standard term for those motivated by material gain, often in commercial or civic spheres. In the Septuagint and New Testament, πλεονέκτης denotes a person characterized by insatiable material desire, equated with avarice, greed, or covetousness. In several New Testament lists of vices (e.g., Mark 7:22; 1 Corinthians 5:10–11; Ephesians 5:5), a πλεονέκτης is considered excluded from the community due to this vice, sometimes being classed with idolaters—reflecting the idea that such greed displaces allegiance from the divine to material wealth. English terms like 'covetous' or 'greedy' capture only part of its semantic scope; it encompasses both the internal attitude of avarice and its outward, often exploitative, manifestations. See also πλεονεξία (G4124), the state or quality of such greed.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλείων and ἔχω; holding (desiring) more, i.e. eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder):--covetous.

Root Family

πλεονεκτ- (pleonektéō) — to seek more, to possess in excess, to overreach

Root πλεονεκτ- to desire more, to grasp for advantage, to be greedy
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4122 πλεονεκτέω I overreached

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4123-03 πλεονέκτης pleonektes N NOM M SG covetous a grasping man a grasping man 2
G4123-01 πλεονέκται pleonektai N NOM M PL covetous grasping ones grasping ones 1
G4123-02 πλεονέκταις pleonektais N DAT M PL covetous to greedy graspers greedy graspers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4123-02 1 Corinthians 5:10 πλεονέκταις pleonektais N DAT M PL covetous to greedy graspers greedy graspers
G4123-03 1 Corinthians 5:11 πλεονέκτης pleonektes N NOM M SG greedy a grasping man a grasping man
G4123-01 1 Corinthians 6:10 πλεονέκται pleonektai N NOM M PL covetous grasping ones grasping ones
G4123-03 Ephesians 5:5 πλεονέκτης pleonektes N NOM M SG covetous a grasping man a grasping man
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