"to make less or inferior, Heb. 2:7; pass. to be made less or inferior, Heb. 2:9; to decline in importance, Jn. 3:30*"
Definition and meaning
to make less or inferior, Heb. 2:7; pass. to be made less or inferior, Heb. 2:9; to decline in importance, Jn. 3:30*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλαττόω
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 elattoo (G1642) across the King James Bible.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
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Common questions
Strong's G1642 (elattoo) is a Greek word that means: to make less or inferior, Heb. 2:7; pass. to be made less or inferior, Heb. 2:9; to decline in importance, Jn. 3:30* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word elattoo (G1642) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1642 is elattoo, a Greek word defined as: to make less or inferior, Heb. 2:7; pass. to be made less or inferior, Heb. 2:9; to decline in importance, Jn. 3:30*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elattoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.