Greek word · G4129

πληθύνω

plēthynō

to multiply

Plēthynō: to increase, multiply, make abundant. Here it is in the optative mood, the Greek verb form used for wishes and prayers: 'may it be multiplied'.

Appears 12 times in 11 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

πληθύνω

(causal of πληθύω, to be full, πληθύς, Ion. for πλῆθος), [in LXX chiefly for רָבָה hi. ;]

1. trans., to increase, multiply: 2 Corinthians 9:10 6:14" (LXX) ; pass., to be increased, to multiply: Matthew 24:12, Acts 6:7 7:17 9:31 12:24; with dative of person(s) (Dan LXX TH 3:31(98) al.), 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:2, Jude 1:2.

2. Intrans., to be increased, to multiply: Acts 6:1.†

(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 1 Peter 1:2

Range of meaning

Plēthynō: to increase, multiply, make abundant. Here it is in the optative mood, the Greek verb form used for wishes and prayers: 'may it be multiplied'.

Against the English

BSB's 'be yours in abundance' and NIV's similar wording keep the sense of increase but lose the recognizable 'multiply' formula. KJV, WEB and YLT's 'be multiplied' keep it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Daniel 4:1 (3:31 in some numbering) and 6:25–26: King Nebuchadnezzar's and Darius's letters to 'all peoples' open with 'May your peace be multiplied' (Aramaic shelamkon yisgē'). Rabbinic tradition preserves letters from Rabban Gamaliel to Jews of the dispersion with the same Aramaic greeting (Tosefta Sanhedrin 2:6). In the NT the same formula appears in 2 Peter 1:2 and Jude 2.

From the study of Matthew 24:12

Range of meaning

Transitive, 'to multiply, increase'. In the passive, 'to be multiplied, grow, abound'. It is the LXX verb of Genesis 1:28 ('be fruitful and multiply').

Against the English

KJV 'abound', WEB 'be multiplied', BSB 'multiplication', NIV 'increase'. All are fine. NLT's 'rampant everywhere' adds a sense of universality ('everywhere') that the Greek does not state.

Used elsewhere in the period

The verb is used of God multiplying Israel and blessing (Gen 1:28; Exod 1:7). Acts uses it for the growth of the word and the church (Acts 6:1, 7; 12:24). In Daniel 12:4 (Theodotion) 'knowledge will be multiplied' (plēthynthē) in the time of the end.

From the study of 2 Peter 1:2

Range of meaning

To increase, multiply, grow in number or amount. Active: to make abundant. Passive: to be increased or become abundant. The form here is aorist passive optative, the Greek mood for wishes ('may it be…').

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB, ESV and NASB keep 'be multiplied', which preserves the formula. NIV ('be yours in abundance') and NLT ('more and more') make it plainer, but readers lose the echo of a known biblical greeting formula.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exact formula 'peace to you be multiplied' (eirēnē hymin plēthyntheiē) appears in the Greek Daniel (Theodotion) at 4:1 and 6:25, in letters from Nebuchadnezzar and Darius to 'all peoples'. 1 Peter 1:2 and Jude 2 use it, and so do early Christian letters such as 1 Clement's opening and Polycarp's letter to the Philippians. Words for 'multiply' also call to mind God's promise to 'multiply' Abraham's seed.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 24:12 πληθυνθῆναι is to be multiplied

    Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

    Here: 'To be multiplied, to grow in quantity'. The picture is of lawlessness spreading and getting more common, piling up case after case, rather than one dramatic outbreak.

Acts · 5

  1. Acts 6:1 πληθυνόντων when are multiplying

    In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

    Here: 'While (they) were multiplying.' The present tense shows the growth was still going on when the problem appeared. The verb echoes the Greek Old Testament language of Israel 'multiplying' (Gen 1:28; Exod 1:7). Growth is the setting, and it is part of the cause of the strain.

  2. Acts 6:7 ἐπληθύνετο was multiplied

    So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

    Here: 'Was being multiplied': ongoing and passive, which hints that God is the one doing it. Paired with 'grow', this is the Greek Old Testament wording for Israel multiplying in Egypt.

  3. Acts 7:17 ἐπληθύνθη multiplied

    As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.

  4. Acts 9:31 ἐπληθύνετο.¶ it were multiplied.

    Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

    Here: Imperfect passive: 'kept being multiplied'. It is ongoing growth in numbers, given by God, in language that echoes Israel multiplying in Genesis and Exodus.

  5. Acts 12:24 ἐπληθύνετο. was being multiplied.

    But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.

    Here: "Kept being multiplied" or "kept multiplying." The form can be read as passive (God is the unnamed one doing the multiplying) or as middle ("it multiplied itself"). The verb is about numbers, and points to more and more people receiving the message.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:10 πληθυνεῖ will multiply

    Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

    Here: 'He will multiply'. God will not only replace what the Corinthians give away but increase it.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 6:14 πληθύνων πληθυνῶ multiplying, I will multiply

    saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 1:2 πληθυνθείη.¶ would be multiplied.

    according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

    Here: A wish or prayer form: 'may it be multiplied'. The passive implies God as the one who multiplies. It copies the greeting of royal and rabbinic letters to the Jewish dispersion ('May your peace be multiplied', Daniel 4:1; 6:25).

2 Peter · 1

  1. 2 Peter 1:2 πληθυνθείη would be multiplied

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

    Here: 'May it be multiplied.' The verb is in the Greek mood used for wishes and prayers, so the line is a prayer-blessing. It is passive, which implies that God does the multiplying. The point is that they already have grace and peace and should receive more and more of it, not that it arrives for the first time.

Jude · 1

  1. Jude 1:2 πληθυνθείη.¶ would be multiplied.

    Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

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