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πληθύνω

plēthýnō

G4129 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To increase in number or quantity, to cause to become more numerous or abundant (transitively); to become more or increase in number, multiply (intransitively). In various contexts, it conveys both the act of making something abundant and the state of something becoming plentiful, whether of people, objects, or qualities. The verb may be used for literal increase (such as offspring, goods, resources) or figurative abundance (such as grace, sin, or other qualities).

Semantic Range

to increase, to multiply, to make numerous, to become more abundant, to abound, to cause to abound, to make increase

Root / Etymology

From the noun πλῆθος (plēthos, 'multitude, large number, crowd'), related to the root πληθ- meaning 'multitude, many.' The verb form πληθύνω is denominative, formed with the verbal suffix -ύνω indicating a causative or resultative sense ('to make numerous' or 'to become numerous').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πληθύνω appears in prose and poetry to describe an increase in number, amount, or degree, often relating to people, armies, or quantities (e.g., Herodotus, Xenophon). In the Septuagint, it is frequently used to translate Hebrew verbs like רָבָה (ravah, 'to be many, to multiply'), often in reference to the multiplication of descendants or blessings (e.g., Gen 1:22, 'be fruitful and multiply'). The verb retains this range in the New Testament, used for both literal and metaphorical increase (e.g., Acts 6:1 for growth in the number of disciples, Rom 5:20 for abundance of sin or grace). English translations often render as 'multiply,' 'increase,' or 'abound,' but occasionally do not reflect the distinction between causative and intransitive use. In contemporary Greek, the verb persists with the basic meaning 'to multiply' or 'to increase.' Related terms include αὐξάνω (auxanō, 'to increase, grow'), though πληθύνω emphasizes quantity or number rather than size or stature. The semantic scope includes both neutral and positive contexts, depending on what is being multiplied or made abundant.

Translation Consistency

primary "increase" 0 occurrences

"Increase" covers both the transitive and intransitive uses (to make more and to become more) and fits literal (numbers, goods) and figurative (grace, sin, abundance) senses. It is the most natural, general English verb that matches the typical usage of πληθύνω and will read smoothly in varied contexts.

Alternatives (12 occurrences):
"multiplied" (8x) "multiplying" (2x) "multiply" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from another form of πλῆθος; to increase (transitively or intransitively):--abound, multiply.

Root Family

πληθύνω (plēthynō) — to be many, to multiply, to make abundant

Root πληθ- to be many, to multiply, to make abundant

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4129-01 ἐπληθύνετο eplethuneto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG multiplied was being multiplied was being multiplied 3
G4129-07 πληθυνθείη plethuntheie V AOR PASS OPT 3P SG be multiplied may it be multiplied may it be multiplied 3
G4129-05 πληθύνων plethunon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG multiplying multiplying multiplying 1
G4129-08 πληθυνθῆναι plethunthenai V AOR PASS INF to increase to be multiplied being multiplied 1
G4129-06 πληθυνόντων plethunonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL multiplying of those multiplying multiplying 1
G4129-04 πληθυνῶ plethuno V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will multiply I will multiply I will multiply 1
G4129-02 ἐπληθύνθη eplethunthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG multiplied was multiplied was multiplied 1
G4129-03 πληθυνεῖ plethunei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG multiply will multiply will multiply 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4129-08 Matthew 24:12 πληθυνθῆναι plethunthenai V AOR PASS INF to increase to be multiplied being multiplied
G4129-06 Acts 6:1 πληθυνόντων plethunonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL multiplying of those multiplying multiplying
G4129-01 Acts 6:7 ἐπληθύνετο eplethuneto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG multiplied was being multiplied was being multiplied
G4129-02 Acts 7:17 ἐπληθύνθη eplethunthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG multiplied was multiplied was multiplied
G4129-01 Acts 9:31 ἐπληθύνετο eplethuneto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG it was multiplied was being multiplied was being multiplied
G4129-01 Acts 12:24 ἐπληθύνετο eplethuneto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG multiplied was being multiplied was being multiplied
G4129-03 2 Corinthians 9:10 πληθυνεῖ plethunei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG multiply will multiply will multiply
G4129-05 Hebrews 6:14 πληθύνων plethunon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG multiplying multiplying multiplying
G4129-04 Hebrews 6:14 πληθυνῶ plethuno V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will multiply I will multiply I will multiply
G4129-07 1 Peter 1:2 πληθυνθείη plethuntheie V AOR PASS OPT 3P SG be multiplied may it be multiplied may it be multiplied
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