πλήθω
To fill
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What does πλήθω (plḗthō) mean in the Bible?
πλήθω (plḗthō) is a Greek word meaning "to fill". πίμπλημι [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא, also for שָׂבַע ;] trans. Paul’s confrontation is empowered by the Holy Spirit. This term runs through the canonical themes of Holiness, Spirit.
Meaning
To fill physically or mentally; metaphorically, to complete or fulfill, especially of time or prophecy.
trans. form in present and imperfect of πλήθω (intrans. in these tenses), which supplies the other tense forms; to fill: with accusative, Luk.5:7; with accusative and genitive, Mat.27:48; pass., Mat.22:10, Act.19:29; of that which fills or takes possession of the mind : pass., with genitive, Luk.1:15, 41 1:67 4:28 5:26 6:11, Act.2:4 3:10 4:8, 31 5:17 9:17 13:9, 45. Metaphorical (as in LXX for מָלֵא: Gen.29:27, Job.15:32), to complete, fulfil: pass., of prophecy, Luk.21:22; of time, Luk.1:23, 57 2:6, 21-22 (cf. ἐμ-πίμπλημι). πλήθω, see: πίμπλημι
Why This Word Matters
Paul’s confrontation is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:1-12
The Spirit’s filling emphasizes divine initiative and empowerment rather than human achievement. Acts 2:1-13
The Spirit’s filling signifies renewed empowerment for mission rather than a second conversion. Acts 4:23-31
Indicates Spirit empowerment for service and witness. Acts 9:1-19
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 24 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)
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
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
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