G3123 G3123
More, rather — comparative adverb intensifying degree or expressing preference
The Greek μᾶλλον (comparative of μάλα, 'very') functions as a comparative adverb meaning 'more' or 'rather,' either intensifying a quality beyond a stated or implied baseline or expressing preference between alternatives. Jesus uses it memorably in arguments from lesser to greater: 'how much more will your Father give good things' (Matt 7:11), 'are you not of more value than they?' (Matt 6:26). Paul employs it for emphatic preference — 'much more' (πολλῷ μᾶλλον, Phil 2:12) and corrective 'rather' (Eph 4:28; 5:11). Spanish más/más-bien, French plus/plutôt, and German mehr all reflect the dual comparative-preferential range. Its 81 occurrences span every major NT corpus.
Senses
1. more — A comparative adverb meaning 'more' (in degree) or 'rather' (in preference), the comparative form of μάλα. Prominent in Jesus' qal wahomer ('how much more') arguments: 'how much more will your Father give good things' (Matt 7:11; cf. 6:26, 30). Also used by Paul for emphatic intensification — πολλῷ μᾶλλον 'much more' (Phil 2:12; Rom 5:9) — and for expressing corrective preference, 'rather' (Eph 4:28; 5:11). Spanish más, French plus/plutôt, and German mehr capture the dual comparative and preferential senses. 81×
AR["أَكثَرَ", "أَكْثَرَ", "بِالأَحْرى", "بِالأَحْرَى", "بِالأَولى", "بِالحَرِيِّ", "جِدًّا"]·ben["অধিক", "আরও", "আরো", "বরং", "বেশি"]·DE["mehr"]·EN["more", "rather"]·FR["plus", "plutôt"]·heb["יוֹתֵר"]·HI["अधिक", "और", "और-अधिक", "और-बुरी-हालत-में-आकर", "और-भी", "ज़यअद", "मनुष्यों-की"]·ID["banyak", "lagi", "lebih", "makin", "malah", "semakin"]·IT["piuttosto"]·jav["langkung", "malah", "sangsaya"]·KO["그-", "더", "더욱", "더욱더", "많이", "사람들-에게", "오히려"]·PT["antes", "mais", "muito-mais"]·RU["более", "больше", "лучше-", "скорее"]·ES["más", "más-bien"]·SW["sana", "zaidi"]·TR["-den", "daha-fazla", "daha-çok"]·urd["اور", "زیادہ", "چاہتے-تھے"]
Matt 6:26, Matt 6:30, Matt 7:11, Matt 10:25, Matt 18:13, Mark 5:26, Mark 7:36, Mark 10:48, Luke 5:15, Luke 11:13, Luke 12:24, Luke 12:28 (+38 more)
Related Senses
H3605 1. all, every, whole (5352×)H0259 1. one (cardinal numeral) (940×)H8147 1. cardinal number two (666×)G3956 1. all (collective plural) (616×)H3967 1. cardinal numeral hundred (550×)H1419a 1. great, large (general quality) (486×)H7969 1. cardinal number three (431×)H0505 1. cardinal number thousand (427×)H7651 1. seven (cardinal number) (393×)G1520 1. cardinal number one (339×)H6240 1. ten (cardinal number) (334×)H6242 1. twenty (cardinal number) (315×)H2568 1. cardinal number five (309×)H0702 1. four (cardinal number) (277×)G3956 2. every, each (distributive) (227×)H8337 1. six (cardinal number) (215×)G3956 3. all things, everything (substantive) (211×)G3956 4. (187×)H6235 1. ten (177×)G3173 1. great in size or extent (176×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Included with: μάλα [μᾰλᾰ; but Refs 8th c.BC+ sometimes uses the ultima long before λ, Refs 8th c.BC+; before μ, Refs adverb very, exceedingly, prefixed or subjoined to Adjectives, Verbs, and Adverbs: __1 strengthening the word with which it stands, __1.a with adjectives, in Refs 8th c.BC+ very many, Refs 8th c.BC+; μ. πᾶσα, μ. πάντα, every one, all together, Refs 8th c.BC+; μάλ᾽ ἀσκηθής all…