image chart for Greek alphabet along with possible ancient sounds.




Enhancing understanding of the Bible by looking
at Anglicized New Testament Greek words!

μικρός (MICROS) G3397-G3398,

SMALL, LESS, LEAST, LITTLE, MICRO

Illustrations of English words
derived from the Greek in the New Testament.

By Gaylon West.


μικρός, image for micros. Greek word for small

Consider the word "omicron": a Greek letter for the "short" sound of "o." A word that uses "o" and "micro" combined. (in contrast to omega "upper case 'o' ".) [etymonline.com].



Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words information for G3398 and G3397:




Strong's Definition for G3398

Apparently a primary word, including the comparative (second form);

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity): - least, less, little, small.

Total KJV occurrences: 30

*

Thayer's Definition for G3398

1) small, little

1a) of size: hence of stature, of length

1b) of space

1c) of age: less by birth, younger

1d) of time: short, brief, a little while, how little!

1e) of quantity: i.e. number, amount

1f) of rank or influence

Part of Speech: adjective





ENGLISH DERIVED WORDS FROM MIKROS (MICROS): [fm. www.etymonline.com]



microbe, microscopy, microscope, microspore, microsecond, microsurgery



microbe (n.) - popular name for a bacterium or other extremely small living being, in 1878 from Latinized form of Greek mikros "small".



microscopy (n.) - "act or art of using a microscope; investigation with a microscope."

microscope (n.) - "optical instrument which by means of a lens or lenses magnifies and renders visible minute objects or details of visible bodies," 1650s.

microspore (n.) - a smaller-than-usual spore in a plant, or a type of fungus with small spores, 1856, from micro- + spore.


microscopic (adj.) - 1732, "pertaining to or functioning as a microscope." Meaning "of minute size" is from 1742.


microsecond (n.) - "one millionth of a second," by 1905, from micro- + second (n.).

microsurgery (n.) - "surgery so delicate as to require the use of a microscope," 1912, from micro- + surgery.

micro symbol µ -- "Micro-" is a unit prefix in the metric system denoting a factor of 10−6 (one millionth). The prefix comes from the Greek μικρός (mikrós), meaning "small". Note: "mc" is commonly used as a prefix when the character "μ" is not available; for example, "mcg" commonly denotes a microgram. -- from www.wikipedia.org.



TYPICAL PASSAGES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

LITTLE ONES: believers

Matthew 10:42. Reward promised for giving a cup of cold water to a ministering disciple in this context.

Matthew 18:6,10,14 Must not offend the believers (cause to sin). Nor despise them. Father's will is that they should not perish.

Luke 17:2 Must not offend little ones (cause to sin).

Luke 12:32 little flock.

LEAST IN KINGDOM

Luke 7:28- JOHN's message was that the kingdom was coming. He was great because of his assignment but since he was not privileged to be in the kingdom when it arrived, his comparison is made to those who were so blessed.

Luke 9:48 - When receiving disciples, one receives Jesus and the Father, thereby making even the least great.

LEAST * SIMON THE MAGICIAN.

Acts 8:10. "Every" type of person responded to the fake Simon. I quote John Gill: 'the Ethiopic version renders it, "from the younger of them to the eldest of them" [translated per age, gw], as state and condition; persons of every rank and quality, high and low, rich and poor, magistrates and subjects, from the meanest to the greatest of them; and so the Syriac version renders it, "both great", or "noble, and mean" [per station in life, gw].'

SMALLG3398 AND GREATG3173 * INCLUDES EVERYBODY.

Acts 26:22. Paul preached to all.

JAMES THE LESS

Mark 15:40 - size? or age? - distinguishing between men having the same name; thought by some to be the James, the son of Alpheus (Mark 3:18; Matthew 10:3).

LITTLE OF STATURE

Luke 19:3 Zacchaeus's size hindered his seeing over the crowd.

LITTLE TIME

Revelation 6:11. The martyrs must rest for a little season.

Revelation 20:3. The devil is bound but released for a little season.

John 7:33 and 12:35. Jesus predicts His pending departure from the disciples.

LITTLE versus effect.

James 3:5. The tongue is likened to a little fire.

1 Corinthians 5:6. Galatians 5:9. Leaven permeates.

LITTLE STRENGTH

Revelation 3:8. A door remains open to the Philadelphian church because they have a "little strength" by keeping Jesus' Word.


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