Greek word · G1640

ἐλάσσων

elassōn

lesser

Smaller, less, younger, lower in rank or status. It can describe quantity, quality or standing, depending on what it is compared with.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐλάσσων (-ττων, Heb_7:7, WH, 1Ti_5:9), -ον

(formed, with superl. ἐλάχιστος, from the epic ἐλαχύς, little, and serving as compar. of μικρός), [in LXX for מָעַט, etc. ;]

less, in age, rank or quality: John 2:19, Romans 9:12" (LXX), Hebrews 7:7; neut., -ον, adverbially: 1 Timothy 5:9.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Hebrews 7:7

Range of meaning

Smaller, less, younger, lower in rank or status. It can describe quantity, quality or standing, depending on what it is compared with.

Against the English

"Lesser" or "less" (BSB, WEB, KJV, YLT) stays close. "Inferior" (ESV and the supplied contextual gloss) is defensible as a statement of rank, but in modern English it can carry a sneer about worth that the context does not need.

How it drifted

Modern English "inferior" often implies poor quality or lesser human value. The Greek word is a plain comparative of rank in this sentence.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 25:23 in the Septuagint, quoted in Romans 9:12, says the greater will serve the "lesser" (the younger). John 2:10 uses it of cheaper wine, and 1 Timothy 5:9 uses the neuter for "less than" sixty years. A standard Greek grammar (Blass-Debrunner-Funk §138) cites this verse as an example of a neuter used for persons when a general quality is in view.

From the study of John 2:10

Range of meaning

The comparative of "small": smaller, less, younger (Rom 9:12, "the older will serve the younger"), lower in rank, inferior in quality.

Against the English

KJV/WEB "worse", YLT "inferior", ESV "poor", BSB/NIV/NLT "cheap/cheaper/less expensive". "Cheap" adds the idea of price. That is a reasonable inference, since lower-quality wine cost less, but the Greek word itself means "lesser".

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in the Septuagint and in classical Greek for lesser size, age or quality. 1 Tim 5:9 and Heb 7:7 ("the lesser is blessed by the greater") show the rank sense.

Where it appears

John · 1

  1. John 2:10 ἐλάσσω· inferior;

    and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”

    Here: "The lesser" wine: lower quality, and usually cheaper too. The steward is contrasting it with kalos, "fine".

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 9:12 ἐλάσσονι· younger;

    not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 5:9 ἔλαττον less

    A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 7:7 ἔλαττον inferior

    And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

    Here: The lower-ranking party in the exchange. In context this quietly places Abraham, the honoured father of the nation, on the lower side, yet the neuter wording avoids calling him an inferior man outright.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.