πληθύνω
To increase (transitively or intransitively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does πληθύνω (plēthýnō) mean in the Bible?
πληθύνω (plēthýnō) is a Greek word meaning "to increase (transitively or intransitively)". πληθύνω (causal of πληθύω, to be full, πληθύς, Ion. Reinforces the unstoppable expansion of God’s word. This term runs through the canonical themes of Revelation.
Full entry for πληθύνω (G4129) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Growth that multiplies or increases, emphasizing abundance rather than mere addition or change.
(causal of πληθύω, to be full, πληθύς, Ion. for πλῆθος), [in LXX chiefly for רָבָה hi. ;]
Why This Word Matters
Reinforces the unstoppable expansion of God’s word. Acts 12:20-25
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Indicative states a fact or reality 6×
Optative wish or remote possibility 3×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 1×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 2×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 9 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain