πολῠτῑμ-ος G4186
very precious, highly valuable, of great worth; extremely costly or treasured
Similar to the previous word but intensified, this adjective means highly priced or very precious. A merchant finds one pearl of 'great value' and sells all to buy it (Matt 13:46). Mary anoints Jesus' feet with ointment of 'very precious' nard (John 12:3). Peter tells believers their tested faith is 'more precious than' perishable gold (1 Pet 1:7). The word consistently points to supreme value—whether a perfect pearl, extravagant fragrance, or refined faith that endures fire.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Multilingual glosses emphasize supreme value: English 'costly/more-precious-than/very-valuable', Spanish 'de-gran-precio/muy-costoso/más-preciosa', French 'très-précieux', German 'kostbar/πολύτιμον'. The lexicon defines it as 'much-revered' (of gods) and 'highly priced, very costly'. Matt 13:46 describes a pearl of great value. John 12:3 mentions very costly ointment. 1 Pet 1:7 says tested faith is more precious than gold. Each occurrence highlights supreme worth, whether material (pearl, ointment) or spiritual (faith). The word denotes the highest category of value. 3×
AR["أثمَنُ-مِنَ", "ثَمِينَةً", "غَالٍ"]·ben["অধিক-মূল্যবান", "মূল্যবান"]·DE["kostbar", "πολύτιμον"]·EN["costly", "more-precious-than", "very-valuable"]·FR["très-précieux"]·heb["יְקָרָה", "יְקָרָה־יוֹתֵר", "יָקָר"]·HI["बहुमुलय", "बहुमूल्य"]·ID["lebih-berharga", "mahal", "sangat-berharga"]·IT["polutimoteron", "prezioso"]·jav["awis-sanget,", "langkung-aji"]·KO["값비싼", "더-귀한", "매우-귀한"]·PT["de-muito-valor", "mais-preciosa"]·RU["драгоценнее", "драгоценного", "драгоценную"]·ES["de-gran-precio", "muy-costoso", "más-preciosa"]·SW["ya-thamani-kubwa", "ya-thamani-zaidi"]·TR["daha-değerli", "çok-değerli"]·urd["بیش-قیمت", "زیادہ-قیمتی", "قیمتی"]
Related Senses
G2309 1. want, desire (166×)G0025 1. to love actively (133×)H0157 1. love (verb, active Qal) (129×)H8055 1. Qal: rejoice, be glad (123×)H7453 1. neighbor, fellow man (120×)G0026 1. of love (115×)H1058 1. Qal: to weep, cry (112×)H0954 1. to be ashamed, feel shame (Qal) (95×)H8057 1. joy, gladness, delight (90×)H2781 1. disgrace, shame, dishonor (68×)G2307 1. will, desire, purpose (63×)G5463 1. rejoice, be glad (63×)G0027 1. beloved (61×)H8130 1. Qal: to hate, detest (60×)G5479 1. (59×)G1680 1. (53×)H8130 2. Qal ptcp: hater, enemy (53×)H0014 1. be willing, want (51×)H0157 2. lover, friend (Qal participle substantive) (51×)H1945 1. woe (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πολῠτῑμ-ος, ον, (τιμή) much-revered, θεοί Refs 4th c.BC+ __II highly priced, μουσοεργός Refs 5th c.BC+; very costly, Refs 2nd c.AD+. adverb -μωςRefs 2nd c.BC+