μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα ((related to Latinmagnus, magister, Goth.maist (cf. τό πλεῖστον), etc.; Vanicek, p. 682; Curtius, § 462)), accusative μέγαν, μεγάλην, μέγα; plural μεγάλοι, μεγάλαι, μεγάλα; comparative μείζων, μεῖζον (accusative masculine and feminine μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, Joh 5:36 (R G T WH, but L Tr μείζων (cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 119)); neuter plural μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, Joh 1:50(51)) and μειζότερος, 3Jn 1:4 (from the comparitive μείζων), a poetic comparison, on which see the remark quoted under ἐλαχιστοτερος, cf. Matthiae, § 136; superlative μέγιστος (found only in 2Pe 1:4); (from Homer down); the Sept. for âÈÌãåì; also for øÇá; great;

1. predicated a. of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons); in particular, of space and its dimensions — as respects α. mass and weight: λίθος, Mat 27:60; Mar 16:4; Rev 18:21; ὄρος, Rev 8:8; ἀστήρ, Rev 8:10; (δράκων, Rev 12:3; Rev 12:9; ἀετός, Rev 12:14; δένδρον, Luk 13:19 (T WH omit; L Tr brackets μέγα); κλάδοι, Mar 4:32; ἰχθύες, Joh 21:11; β. compass and extent; large, spacious: σκηνή (μείζων), Heb 9:11; ἀνάγαιον (R ἀνώγεον, which see), Mar 14:15; ἀποθήκη, Luk 12:18; κάμινος, Rev 9:2; πόλις, Rev 11:8; Rev 16:19; Rev 17:18; Rev 18:2; Rev 18:16; Rev 18:18-19; ποταμός, Rev 9:14; Rev 16:12; θύρα, 1Co 16:9; ληνός, Rev 14:19; ὀθόνη, Act 10:11; Act 11:5; χάσμα, Luk 16:26 (2Sa 18:17). γ. measure and height: οἰκοδομαί, Mar 13:2; θρόνος, Rev 20:11; long, μάχαιρα, Rev 6:4; as respects stature and age, μικροί καί μεγάλοι, small and great, young and old, Act 8:10; Act 26:22; Heb 8:11; Rev 11:18; Rev 13:16; Rev 19:5; Rev 19:18; Rev 20:12 (Gen 19:11; 2Ki 23:2; 2Ch 34:30). (neuter singular used adverbially: ἐν μεγάλῳ, Act 26:29 L T Tr WH (for R G ἐν πολλῷ, which see in πολύς, d.) in great namely, degree. The apostle plays upon Agrippa’s words ἐν ὀλίγῳ (which see) in a little (time) thou woulds fain etc ... I would to God that both in little and in great i. e. in all respects etc.; cf. the use of ὀλίγον καί μέγα or μικρόν καί μέγα (yet in negative sentences) to express totality; e. g. Plato, Phileb. 21 e.; Apology 19 c.; 21 b.; 26 b.; but see d. below.)

b. of number and quantity, equivalent to numerous, large: ἀγέλη, Mar 5:11; abundant, πορισμός, 1Ti 6:6; μισθαποδοσία, Heb 10:35.

c. of age: ὁ μείζων, the elder, Rom 9:12 after Gen 25:23 (Σκιπιων ὁ μέγας, Polybius 18, 18 (35), 9; 32, 12, 1).

d. used of intensity and its degrees: δύναμις, Act 4:33; Act 8:10; neuter ἐν μεγάλῳ, with great effort, Act 26:29 L T Tr WH (but see γ. above); of the affections and emotions of the mind: χαρά, Mat 2:10; Mat 28:8; Luk 2:10; Luk 24:52; Act 15:3; φόβος, Mar 4:41; Luk 2:9; Luk 8:37; Act 5:5; Act 5:11; Rev 11:11; θυμός, Rev 12:12; λύπη, Rom 9:2; ἔκστασις, Mar 5:42 (Gen 27:33); πιστός, Mat 15:28; χάρις, Act 4:33; ἀγάπη Joh 15:13. of natural events powerfully affecting the senses, equivalent to violent, mighty, strong: ἄνεμος, Joh 6:18; Rev 6:13; βροντή, Rev 14:2; χάλαζα, Rev 11:19; Rev 16:21; σεισμός, Mat 8:24; Mat 28:2; Luk 21:11; Act 16:26; Rev 6:12; Rev 11:13; Rev 16:18; λαῖλαψ, Mar 4:37; πτῶσις, Mat 7:27. of other external things, such as are perceived by hearing: κραυγεη, Act 23:9; Rev 14:18 (R G); μεῖζον κράζειν, to cry out the louder, Mat 20:31; φωνῆς, Mat 24:31 (T omits φονης, WH only in marginal reading); ; Luk 23:23; Joh 11:43; Act 8:7; Rev 1:10; Rev 5:2; Rev 5:12; Rev 6:10; Rev 7:2; Rev 7:10; Rev 8:13; Rev 10:3; Rev 11:12; Rev 11:15; ( L T Tr WH; Rec.), and elsewhere; γαλήνη, Mat 8:26; Mar 4:39. of objects of sight which excite admiration and wonder: φῶς, Mat 4:16; σημεῖον, Mat 24:24; Luk 21:11; Act 6:8; Act 8:13; Rev 13:13; ἔργα, Rev 15:3; μείζω, μείζονα τούτων, greater things than these, i. e. more extraordinary, more wonderful, Joh 1:50 (); . of things that are felt: καῦμα, Rev 16:9; πυρετός, Luk 4:38; of other things that distress: ἀνάγκη, Luk 21:23; (θλῖψις, Mat 24:21; Act 7:11; Rev 2:22; Rev 7:14; (διωγμός, Act 8:1; λιμός, Luk 4:25; Act 11:28; πληγή, Rev 16:21.

2. predicated of rank, as belonging to a. persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power; as God, and sacred personages: Θεός, Tit 2:13 ((on which see Prof. Abbot, Note C. in Journ. See Biblical Literature, etc. i., p. 19, and cf. ἐπιφάνεια)); Ἄρτεμις, Acts 19:27f, 34f; ἀρχιερεύς, Heb 4:14; ποιμήν, Heb 13:20; προφήτης, Luk 7:16; absolutely, οἱ μεγάλοι, great men, leaders, rulers, Mat 20:25; Mar 10:42; universally, eminent, distinguished: Mat 5:19; Mat 20:26; Luk 1:15; Luk 1:32; Act 8:9. μείζων is used of those who surpass others — either in nature and power, as God: Joh 10:29 (here T Tr WH text give the neuter (see below)); Joh 10:28; Heb 6:13; 1Jn 4:4; add, Joh 4:12; Joh 8:53; or in excellence, worth, authority, etc.: Mat 11:11; Mat 18:1; Mat 23:11; Mar 9:34; Luk 7:28; Luk 9:46; Luk 22:26; Joh 13:16; Joh 15:20; 1Co 14:5; δυνάμει μείζονες, 2Pe 2:11; neuter μεῖζον, something higher, more exalted, more majestic than the temple, to wit the august person of Jesus the Messiah and his preeminent influence, Mat 12:6 L T Tr WH; (cf. Joh 10:29 above); contextually equivalent to strict in condemning, of God, 1Jn 3:20.

b. things to be esteemed highly for their importance, equivalent to Latingravis; of great moment, of great wight, important: ἐπαγγέλματα, 2Pe 1:4; ἐντολή, Mat 22:36; Mat 22:38; μσυτηριον, Eph 5:32; 1Ti 3:16; ἁμαρτία, Joh 19:11; μείζων μαρτυρία, of greater proving power, Joh 5:36 (see above at the beginning); 1Jn 5:9 (μαρτυρίαν μείζω καί σαφεστεραν, Isocrates Archid. § 32). μέγας equivalent to solemn, sacred, of festival days (cf. Isa 1:18, the Sept.): ἡμέρα, Joh 7:37; Joh 19:31; notable, august, ἡμέρα, of the day of the final judgment, Act 2:20; Jud 1:6; Rev 6:17; Rev 16:14. neuter μέγα, a great matter, thing of great moment: 1Co 9:11 (Gen 45:28; Isa 49:6); οὐ μέγα, 2Co 11:15.

c. a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence, equivalent to excellent: 1Co 13:13 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 35, i. Buttmann, § 123, 13); τά χαρίσματα τά μείζονα (R G κρείττονα), 1Co 12:31 L T Tr WH.

3. splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately: δοχή, Luk 5:29 (Gen 21:8); δεῖπνον, Luk 14:16; Rev 19:17 (G L T Tr WH) (Dan 5:1 (Theod.)); οἰκία, 2Ti 2:20 (Jer 52:13; (οἶκος), 2Ch 2:5; 2Ch 2:9).

4. neuter plural μεγάλα, great things: of God’s preeminent blessings, Luk 1:49 L T Tr WH (see μεγαλεῖος); of things which overstep the province of a created being, proud (presumptuous) things, full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God: λαλοῦν μεγάλα joined with βλασφημίας, Rev 13:5; Dan 7:8; Dan 7:11; Dan 7:20; like μέγα εἰπεῖν, Homer, Odyssey 3, 227; 16, 243; 22, 288.