"a body of people; a concourse of people, a multitude, Mt. 27:25; Lk. 8:47; the common people, Mt. 26:5; a people, nation, Mt. 2:4; Lk. 2:32; Tit. 2:14; ὁ λαός, the people of Israel, Lk. 2:10"
Definition and meaning
a body of people; a concourse of people, a multitude, Mt. 27:25; Lk. 8:47; the common people, Mt. 26:5; a people, nation, Mt. 2:4; Lk. 2:32; Tit. 2:14; ὁ λαός, the people of Israel, Lk. 2:10
In the original Greek the word is written: λαός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 laos (G2992) across the King James Bible.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2992 (laos) is a Greek word that means: a body of people; a concourse of people, a multitude, Mt. 27:25; Lk. 8:47; the common people, Mt. 26:5; a people, nation, Mt. 2:4; Lk. 2:32; Tit. 2:14; ὁ λαός, the people of Israel, Lk. 2:10 It appears 139 times in the King James Bible.
The word laos (G2992) appears 139 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2992 is laos, a Greek word defined as: a body of people; a concourse of people, a multitude, Mt. 27:25; Lk. 8:47; the common people, Mt. 26:5; a people, nation, Mt. 2:4; Lk. 2:32; Tit. 2:14. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
laos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.