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πλεονεξία

pleonexía

G4124 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The state or disposition of having an insatiable desire for more, particularly for material possessions or advantages; greed, covetousness. By extension, it can also refer to behavior driven by such desires, including acquisitiveness at the expense of others, or the pursuit of self-interest without regard to justice or fairness. In some contexts, the term can imply not just desire for wealth, but for more of anything than is one's rightful share, and at times can encompass exploitative or unjust gain.

Semantic Range

greed, covetousness, insatiable desire for more, acquisitiveness, avarice, exploitative gain, unjust desire for another's property or advantage

Root / Etymology

From πλεονέκτης (pleonektēs, 'one who desires more, greedy person'), itself formed from πλέον (pleon, 'more') and ἔχω (echō, 'to have' or 'to hold'). Thus, πλεονεξία is the abstract noun formed from the quality or state of being greedy or desirous of more.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλεονεξία denotes greed, insatiable desire, always wanting more—particularly in the sense of excessive or unjust gain, whether in matters of wealth, honor, or power. In the Hellenistic and Jewish-Hellenistic periods, including in the Septuagint (LXX), it is often used to translate terms for covetousness, wrong desire for things belonging to others, and general acquisitiveness condemned in wisdom literature (see Sirach, Wisdom of Solomon). In the New Testament, πλεονεξία appears primarily as a vice, often included in lists of moral failings (e.g., Mark 7:22; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5), and is closely associated with idolatry because unchecked desire for more is seen as supplanting devotion to God. The term does not necessarily connote violent theft or overt fraud (cf. ἀδικία, κλοπή), but rather a consuming and improper appetite for acquisition or advantage, sometimes expressed through exploitative practices. Standard English translations may render πλεονεξία as 'greed,' 'covetousness,' or at times 'avarice,' but these terms do not always capture the breadth of the Greek concept, which includes both the attitude and its unjust manifestations. πλεονεξία is broader and more forcefully negative than mere 'desire' (ἐπιθυμία), emphasizing illegitimate or excessive longing for more than one's due.

Translation Consistency

primary "greed" 9 occurrences

πλεονεξία most commonly denotes an acquisitive, insatiable desire for more—especially material gain. "Greed" is the natural, widely used English noun that best captures the typical semantic range (covetousness, avarice, acquisitiveness) and matches common Bible translation practice, so it will provide clear, consistent rendering across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"insatiable desires for more" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλεονέκτης; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:--covetous(-ness) practices, greediness.

Root Family

πλεονεκ- (pleonexía) — to desire more, to seek advantage, to grasp at more than one's share

Root πλεονεκ- to desire more, to seek advantage, to grasp at more than one's share

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4124-01 πλεονεξίᾳ pleonexia N DAT F SG greed to greed greed 4
G4124-04 πλεονεξίας pleonexias N GEN F SG covetousness of insatiable greed of insatiable greed 3
G4124-03 πλεονεξίαν pleonexian N ACC F SG covetousness insatiable greed greed 2
G4124-02 πλεονεξίαι pleonexiai N NOM F PL covetousness insatiable desires for more insatiable desires for more 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4124-02 Mark 7:22 πλεονεξίαι pleonexiai N NOM F PL covetousness insatiable desires for more insatiable desires for more
G4124-04 Luke 12:15 πλεονεξίας pleonexias N GEN F SG covetousness of insatiable greed insatiable greed
G4124-01 Romans 1:29 πλεονεξίᾳ pleonexia N DAT F SG greed to greed greed
G4124-03 2 Corinthians 9:5 πλεονεξίαν pleonexian N ACC F SG covetousness insatiable greed greed
G4124-01 Ephesians 4:19 πλεονεξίᾳ pleonexia N DAT F SG greediness to greed greed
G4124-01 Ephesians 5:3 πλεονεξία pleonexia N NOM F SG greed to greed greed
G4124-03 Colossians 3:5 πλεονεξίαν pleonexian N ACC F SG greed insatiable greed greed
G4124-04 1 Thessalonians 2:5 πλεονεξίας pleonexias N GEN F SG greed of insatiable greed of insatiable greed
G4124-01 2 Peter 2:3 πλεονεξίᾳ pleonexia N DAT F SG greed to greed greed
G4124-04 2 Peter 2:14 πλεονεξίας pleonexias N GEN F SG in greed of insatiable greed of insatiable greed
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