ABUNDANCE, ABUNDANT
OT WORDS
yaÝtar [rtæy;, H3498]
rtæy;yaÝtar is a verbal root with the primary meaning “remain,” “left over.”
There are, however, several references that indicate the meaning “abundance,”
“plenty,” or “excess.” In two instances, the meaning “abundance” is not
directly related to the primary idea of “that which remains” (cf. Deu. 28:11;
30:9). The remaining references do, however, indicate a connection with the
idea of “remainder.” In both cases, what remains is declared to be “abundant”
(cf. Exo. 36: 7; 2Ch. 31:10).
roÝb [bro, H7230]; rab [bræ, H7227]; meoÝd [daom], H3966]
The noun broroÝb is a commonly used term for the idea of “abundance.” It is
also translated “many” or “much.” The term occurs approximately 160 times
— the majority of which refer to impersonal phenomena such as animals and
wealth (approximately one hundred references). The remaining occurrences
refer to people (approximately twenty) and quality (approximately forty), both
positive and negative. In the latter category, for example, there is reference to
the greatness of God’s compassion in Psa. 51: 1. This mention of the quality of
God’s attributes is the most theologically significant aspect of the word’s
usage. The psalmist, for example, frequently refers to the greatness of God’s
character, in particular to his grace, mercy, and compassion (cf. Psa. 5: 7; 51:1;
69:13, 16; 106:7, 45; 150:2). Jeremiah also provides an example of this
perspective in Lam. 3:32. Reference is also made to the greatness of God’s
power and might (cf. Isa. 40:26; 63:1). Greatness is expressed not only in the
positive terms of God’s essential attributes, but also in negative terms of
human wickedness (cf. Jer. 13:22; 30:14, 15; Lam. 1: 5; Eze. 28:18; Hos. 9: 7;
Nah. 3: 4). The adjective brærab is synonymous with broroÝb, and it is used
with essentially the same force (approximately five hundred times).
The term
daom]meoÝd also conveys a similar meaning, though it is primarily adverbial. It
commonly translates as “very,” “much,” “exceedingly,” or “greatly.” daom]
meoÝd occurs about 350 times.
One specific use of broroÝb centers on the idea of “multitude” or “greatness,”
with several nuances. “Numerical greatness” (i.e., large numbers) is indicated
with reference to God’s people in Gen. 16:10; 30:30; Deu. 1:10; 7:7; 28:62; to
armies in Jud. 7:12; Psa. 33:16; and to years in Lev. 25:16.
Elsewhere, broroÝb expresses the sense of “abundant quality” with reference to
grain in Gen. 27:28; to animals in 1Ki. 1:19; to materials for the construction
of the temple in 1Ch. 22: 3 ff.; to sacrifices in Isa. 1:11; to sin in Eze. 28:18;
Hos. 9: 7; Nah. 3: 4; and to wealth in 2Ch. 9: 1 ff.; 17:5; Psa. 49: 6; Pro. 20:15;
Eze. 27:12.
The general meaning “greatness” or “abundance” is also indicated in relation
to God’s majesty in Exo. 15:17; to divine power in Psa. 66: 3; Isa. 40:26; 63:1;
to divine mercy in Neh. 13:22; Psa. 5: 7; 69:13; 106:45; Lam. 3:32; to wisdom
in Ecc. 1:18; Eze. 28: 5; and to strength in Psa. 33:17.
raÝbaÝh [hb;r;, H7235]
hb;r;raÝbaÝh is the verbal root from which broroÝb and brærab (see above) are
derived. hb;r;raÝbaÝh primarily means “increase,” either in numerical strength or
in quality. It is most commonly translated with the word “increase” or a
synonymous term. hb;r;raÝbaÝh occurs approximately three hundred times. As
with the related words broroÝb and brærab, this verb denotes people, animals,
objects and spiritual qualities, both good and bad. Of considerable importance
is the notion that it is the greatness of God’s power and authority that lies
behind the redemptive process evident in human history, whether it is his
power in blessing or in judgment.
To illustrate this observation we note first of all God’s promise to Abraham to
multiply or increase his progeny to incalculable proportions so that God’s own
chosen people will flourish. Ultimately, such promises will provide the context
for the arrival of the Messiah (cf. Gen. 16:10; 17:2; 22:17). Such promises are
also given to the other patriarchs, and to David as well (cf. Jer. 33:22). There is
also the declaration to the Egyptians that God will multiply signs and wonders
against them so that they will confess him as the one true and living God (cf.
Exo. 7: 3 ff.). Ezekiel 36 also refers to the restoration of Israel, when God
promises to replenish the numbers of his people and return them to the land of
Israel (cf. Eze. 36:10, 11). Such promises indicate not only material
restoration, but forgiveness as well (cf. e.g., Isa. 55: 7).
haÝmoÑn [wOmh;, H1995]
wOmh;haÝmoÑn is a noun found about eighty times, usually with the sense of
“multitude,” “abundance.” It is occasionally used adjectivally.
The adjectival sense of “many” (lit., “a multitude of”) refers to nations in
Gen. 17: 4 ff.; and to wives in 2Ch. 11:13.
The nominal sense of “multitude” indicates a “horde” or “crowd of people.”
Such general references are found in 1Sa. 14:16; 1Ki. 20:13; Job 31:34;
Isa. 17:12; Eze. 7:12 ff.; Dan. 10: 6. References to the “multitude” of Israelites
are found in 2Sa. 6:19; 2Ki. 7:13; Isa. 5:14. wOmh;haÝmoÑn also denotes the size
of an army in 2Ch. 20:12 ff.; Isa. 16:14; Dan. 11:10 ff.; Joe. 3:14. The
“hordes” of the nations are indicated in Isa. 29: 7 ff.; Eze. 30:15. Specific
reference to the “hordes” of Gog and Magog is found in Eze. 39:11; and to
those of Egypt in Eze. 32:12 ff.
wOmh;haÝmoÑn also expresses the meaning “abundance” in the sense of quantity.
It refers to wealth (Psa. 37:16; Ecc. 5:10; Eze. 30:10); and to property
(Eze. 7:11).
NT WORDS
perisseuoÝ [perisseu>w, G4052]
perisseu>w perisseuoÝ is a verb found in approximately forty places with the
primary meaning “abound,” as well as several related nuances.
“Abound,” with the underlying sense of “increase in magnitude,” is indicated
with respect to God’s glory in Rom. 3: 7; to God’s grace in Rom. 5:15; to
thanksgiving to God in 2Co. 4:15; Col. 2: 7; to the hope of salvation in
Rom. 15:13 and love in Php. 1: 9; 1Th. 3:12. The meaning “increase in
number” is evident in Act. 16: 5.
The meaning “exceed” with the sense of “going beyond a fixed measure” is
found in relation to Pharisaic righteousness in Mat. 5:20. See also 2Co. 3: 9.
perisseu>w perisseuoÝ also expresses the meaning “have abundance” (i.e., have
a great deal). It occurs in Mat. 13:12; 25:29 in relation to spiritual knowledge,
and also in regard to material wealth in Mat. 12:44; Luk. 12:15; 21:4.
The meaning “excel,” “achieve a high standard” is indicated in relation to the
work of the Lord in 1Co. 15:58, and to faith and love in 2Co. 8: 7.
perisseia [perissei>a, G4050]
perissei>a perisseia is a noun derived from perisseu>w perisseuoÝ (see above)
found in four places indicating an “abundance” of grace (Rom. 5:17); joy
(2Co. 8: 2); and wickedness (Jam. 1:21). perissei>a perisseia is used
adverbially in 2Co. 10:15 with the sense of “greatly.”
perisseuma [peri>sseuma, G4051]
peri>sseuma perisseuma is a synonym for perissei>a perisseia, above. It is
found in five places, indicating the “abundance” of the heart in Mat. 12:34;
Luk. 6:45. In 2Co. 8:14 the term refers to “abundance,” denoting material
wealth. Mar. 8: 8 refers to bread that is “left over.”
hyperperisseuoÝ [uJperperisseu>w, G5248]
uJperperisseu>w hyperperisseuoÝ is a rare variant form of uJperperisseu>w
perisseuoÝ, above, with the meaning “to abound, exceed beyond all measure.”
The word expresses this sense in Rom. 5:20 in relation to the grace of God. In
2Co. 7: 4 the term denotes “being filled (i.e., to overflowing)” with comfort.
perissos [perisso>v, G4053]
perisso>v perissos is an adjectival form with the underlying adverbial sense of
“more abundantly” (i.e., to a high degree, to the greatest extent). It is translated
variously throughout the ten contexts in which it is found.
The meaning “more abundantly” is applied to the gaining of life through the
person and work of Christ in Joh. 10:10. In Eph. 3:20 perisso>v perissos refers
to God’s infinite capacity to act in ways that far exceed the limits of our
imaginations.
Elsewhere perisso>v perissos is translated “utterly,” with reference to people’s
astonishment in Mar. 6:51; “vehemently,” in relation to the expression of anger
in Mar. 14:31; “very earnestly,” in connection with prayer in 1Th. 3:10; “very
highly,” with regard to the expression of esteem in 1Th. 5:13. See also
Mat. 5:37, 47; Rom. 3: 1; 2Co. 9: 1.
perissoteron [perisso>teron, G4056]
perisso>teron perissoteron is an adverbial comparative form with the sense of
“more abundantly,” “all the more,” “far more,” which is found in nearly
twenty contexts, with related nuances (cf. Mar. 7:36; 15:14; 1Co. 15:10;
2Co. 2: 4; 7:13 ff.; 11:23; 12:15; Gal. 1:14; 1Th. 2:17; Heb. 7:15; 13:19).
perissoÝs [perissw~v, G4057]
perissw~v perissoÝs is an adverbial form derived from perisso>v perissos (see
above) with the meaning “greatly,” “exceedingly,” “all the more” in all three
occurrences of the term (cf. Mat. 27:23; Mar. 10:26; Act. 26:11).
hyperperissoÝs [uJperperissw~v, G5249]
uJperperissw~v hyperperissoÝs is a rare adverbial variant of uJperperissw~v
perissoÝs, above, with the meaning “exceedingly” or “beyond measure.” It is
found only in Mar. 7:37, where it refers to people’s astonishment at the miracle
cures Christ performed.
pleonazoÝ [pleona>zw, G4121]
pleona>zw pleonazoÝ is a verb synonymous with uJperperisseu>w perisseuoÝ
(see above) with the meanings “abound,” “increase” evident throughout the ten
occurrences of the term.
The phenomenon of “increasing” or “abounding” grace is indicated in
Rom. 5:20; 6:1; 2Co. 4:15; as is the proliferation of sin in Rom. 5:20.
Reference to Christian virtues (i.e., “fruit”) “increasing” in the life of the
believer is made in Php. 4:17; 2Pe. 1: 8, and to love in particular, in 1Th. 3:12;
2Th. 1: 3. See also 2Co. 8:15.
hyperpleonazoÝ [uJperpleona>zw, G5250]
uJperpleona>zw hyperpleonazoÝ is a rare variant form of uJperpleona>zw
pleonazoÝ, above, found only in 1Ti. 1:14 with the meaning “overflow” (i.e., be
exceedingly abundant).
pleÝthynoÝ [plhqu>nw, G4129]
plhqu>nw pleÝthynoÝ is another synonym for the entries above. It is found in
twelve places, with the consistent meanings of “multiply,” “abound,” or
“increase.”
The “increase” or “proliferation” of wickedness is indicated in Mat. 24:12.
References to the growth or increase of the early church due to new converts
are found in Act. 6: 1, 7; 7:17; 9:31. Act. 12:24 refers to the “growth” or
“spread” of God’s word.
Heb. 6:14 mentions the Abrahamic covenant promise in which God pledges to
“multiply” the descendants of the patriarch.
The invoking of God’s grace and peace, “multiplied” in the life of the believer,
is noted in 1Pe. 1: 2; 2Pe. 1: 2; Jude 1: 2. See also 2Co. 9:10.
hyperboleÝ [uJperbolh>, G5236]
uJperbolh>hyperboleÝ is a noun found in eight places variously translated as
“abundance” or “exceeding(ly).”
The adverbial meaning “exceedingly” refers to the phenomenon of increased
sin in Rom. 7:13; to the experience of persecution in 2Co. 1: 8; Gal. 1:13; to
the anticipation of eternal glory in 2Co. 4:17.
uJperbolh>hyperboleÝ is also translated “more excellent” when it describes the
way of salvation in 1Co. 12:31. See also 2Co. 4: 7.
2Co. 12: 7 makes reference to the “abundance” of revelations given to the
apostle Paul.
plousioÝs [plousi>wv, G4146]
plousi>wv plousioÝs is an adverbial form with the meaning “richly,”
“abundantly” evident in all four occurrences of the term. Each reference
indicates the granting of salvation by God as something rich and abundant (cf.
1Ti. 6:17; Tit. 3: 6; 2Pe. 1:11). In particular, Col. 3:16 makes reference to the
word of God dwelling “richly” in the life of the believer.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Of all the New Testament terms that signify “abundance” and related
meanings, the verb uJperperisseu>w perisseuoÝ is probably the closest dynamic
equivalent of the Hebrew term rtæy;yaÝtar. This Greek verb likewise refers to
natural phenomena as well as spiritual qualities. The point of interest to note
here, in a theological sense, is the identical emphasis on the abundant,
outpouring of God’s love and grace to his people in the new covenant (cf.
2Co. 9: 8; Eph. 1: 8; Php. 1: 9). The significant difference is that, in distinction
from the old covenant, divine grace is made possible in the new covenant
solely through the person and work of Christ.
uJperpleona>zw pleonazoÝ is a dynamic equivalent of the Hebrew verb hb;r;
raÝbaÝh. Although uJperpleona>zw pleonazoÝ does not occur very frequently,
there are similarities of emphasis between the two words. All the occurrences
of uJperpleona>zw pleonazoÝ are in theological contexts that refer primarily to
the overflowing of divine love and grace for the building up of the new
covenant people of God.
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