"ἐλάττων (G1784) is the Attic form of this word. Twice it is used with σσ (Jn. 2:10; Rom. 9:12) and twice with ττ (1 Tim. 5:9; Heb. 7:7). It is used as the comparative of μικρός, less; less in age, younger, Rom. 9:12; less in dignity, inferior, Heb. 7:7; less in quality, inferior,..."
Definition and meaning
ἐλάττων (G1784) is the Attic form of this word. Twice it is used with σσ (Jn. 2:10; Rom. 9:12) and twice with ττ (1 Tim. 5:9; Heb. 7:7). It is used as the comparative of μικρός, less; less in age, younger, Rom. 9:12; less in dignity, inferior, Heb. 7:7; less in quality, inferior, worse, Jn. 2:10; 1 Tim. 5:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλάσσων
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of elasson (G1640) across the King James Bible.
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
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Common questions
Strong's G1640 (elasson) is a Greek word that means: ἐλάττων (G1784) is the Attic form of this word. Twice it is used with σσ (Jn. 2:10; Rom. 9:12) and twice with ττ (1 Tim. 5:9; Heb. 7:7). It is used as the comparative of μικρός, less; less in age, you... It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word elasson (G1640) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1640 is elasson, a Greek word defined as: ἐλάττων (G1784) is the Attic form of this word. Twice it is used with σσ (Jn. 2:10; Rom. 9:12) and twice with ττ (1 Tim. 5:9; Heb. 7:7). It is used as. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elasson is a Greek word found in the New Testament.