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πλούσιος

ploúsios

G4145 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root πλούσ- to be wealthy, to abound in, to possess abundance

Definition

Rich, possessing wealth or abundance (primarily of material means); by extension, abounding in or characterized by an abundance of something—often used figuratively for spiritual, moral, or other non-material qualities. In primary usage, denotes a person (or city/land) having great possessions, resources, or prosperity; secondarily, describes overflowing or plentiful qualities in non-literal contexts.

Semantic Range

possessing wealth, affluent, wealthy person; abounding or rich in non-material qualities (e.g., mercy, faith); figuratively, abundant, overflowing; sometimes used of cities or lands as prosperous or rich

Root / Etymology

Derived from πλοῦτος (ploutos, 'wealth'), with the adjectival suffix -ιος, forming an adjective meaning 'wealthy' or 'rich.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλούσιος most often refers to persons with significant material possessions, land, or property, in contrast to πτωχός ('poor'). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, the term continues to denote one who is rich in material goods but is also frequently found in metaphorical contexts — for example, 'rich in mercy' or 'rich in good works.' The Septuagint uses πλούσιος to translate Hebrew terms (such as עָשִׁיר, 'ashir') referring to wealthy individuals, with context often highlighting the social and moral responsibilities of wealth. In the New Testament, πλούσιος sometimes bears negative moral connotations, contrasting with the poor and highlighting the dangers or responsibilities associated with material riches (e.g., the rich young man, Lk 18:23; 'the rich and the kingdom of God', Mt 19:23), though the word itself is neutral. Figurative senses expand in later Christian literature, such as being 'rich toward God' (Lk 12:21) or 'rich in faith' (Jas 2:5). Standard English translations commonly render πλούσιος as 'rich' or 'wealthy,' but the Greek term may carry broader implications of abundance beyond monetary wealth, which are sometimes underrepresented in translation. The antonym throughout NT and LXX usage is πτωχός ('poor').

Translation Consistency

primary "rich" 28 occurrences

πλούσιος primarily means ‘rich’ or possessing abundance. 'Rich' is the most natural, versatile English rendering for both literal and figurative uses (e.g., a rich person, rich land, rich in mercy/faith). Although 'wealthy' appears more often in the P2 data, it is narrower and more material-focused; 'rich' better fits the full semantic range and idiomatic English.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλοῦτος; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with:--rich.

Root Family

πλούσιος (plousios) — wealthy, possessing abundance, abounding

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4146 πλουσίως wealthy one

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4145-04 πλούσιος plousios ADJ.S NOM M SG rich wealthy man rich man 13
G4145-01 πλούσιοι plousioi ADJ.S NOM M PL rich wealthy ones rich ones 4
G4145-06 πλουσίους plousious ADJ.A ACC M PL rich wealthy ones rich ones 4
G4145-03 πλούσιον plousion ADJ.S ACC M SG a rich man wealthy man a rich man 3
G4145-02 πλουσίοις plousiois ADJ.S DAT M PL rich to wealthy ones to rich ones 2
G4145-05 πλουσίου plousiou ADJ.A GEN M SG rich of a wealthy man of a rich man 2

Occurrences in Scripture

28 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4145-04 Matthew 19:23 πλούσιος plousios ADJ.S NOM M SG rich man wealthy man rich man
G4145-03 Matthew 19:24 πλούσιον plousion ADJ.S ACC M SG rich man wealthy man a rich man
G4145-04 Matthew 27:57 πλούσιος plousios ADJ.A NOM M SG rich wealthy man rich man
G4145-03 Mark 10:25 πλούσιον plousion ADJ.S ACC M SG a rich man wealthy man a rich man
G4145-01 Mark 12:41 πλούσιοι plousioi ADJ.S NOM M PL rich wealthy ones rich ones
G4145-02 Luke 6:24 πλουσίοις plousiois ADJ.S DAT M PL rich to wealthy ones to rich ones
G4145-05 Luke 12:16 πλουσίου plousiou ADJ.A GEN M SG rich of a wealthy man of a rich man
G4145-06 Luke 14:12 πλουσίους plousious ADJ.A ACC M PL rich wealthy ones rich ones
G4145-04 Luke 16:1 πλούσιος plousios ADJ.P NOM M SG rich wealthy man rich man
G4145-04 Luke 16:19 πλούσιος plousios ADJ.P NOM M SG rich wealthy man rich man
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