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 βΘΜγεμ; also for ψΗα; 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 19:27 f, 34 f; 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.

μέγας megas 243x great, large in size, Mat_27:60 ; Mar_4:32 ; great, much, numerous, Mar_5:11 ; Heb_11:26 ; great, grown up, adult, Heb_11:24 ; great, vehement, intense, Mat_2:10 ; Mat_28:8 ; great, sumptuous, Luk_5:29 ; great, important, weighty, of high importance, 1Co_9:11 ; 1Co_13:13 ; great, splendid, magnificent, Rev_15:3 ; extraordinary, wonderful, 2Co_11:15 ; great, solemn, Joh_7:37 ; Joh_19:31 ; great in rank, noble, Rev_11:18 ; Rev_13:16 ; great in dignity, distinguished, eminent, illustrious, powerful, Mat_5:19 ; Mat_18:1 ; Mat_18:4 ; great, arrogant, boastful, Rev_13:5 great; large; loud.

μέγας , μεγάλη , μέγα , [in LXX chiefly for H1419 , also for H7227 , H4766 ( incl . μείζων ), H7230 (μέγιστος );] great; 1. of external form, bodily size, measure, extent: λίθος , Mat_27:60 ; δράκων , Rev_12:3 ; ἰχθῦς , Joh_21:11 ; πόλις , Rev_11:8 ; μάχαιρα , Rev_6:4 , al. 2. Of intensity and degree : δύναμις , Act_4:33 ; φόβος , Mar_4:41 ; ἀγάπη , Joh_15:13 ; ἄνεμος , Joh_6:18 ; κραυγή , Act_23:9 ; φῶς , Mat_4:16 ; πυρετός , Luk_4:38 ; θλίψις , Mat_24:21 . 3. Of rank; (a) of persons: θεός ( MM , xvi), Tit_2:13 ; Ἄρτεμις , Act_19:27 ; compar . ( v. infr .), Mat_18:1 ( cf. Dalman, Words , 113 f .); neut. for masc. (B1., § 32, 1), Mat_12:6 ; (b) of things : ἁμαρτία , Joh_19:11 ; μυστήριον , Eph_5:32 ; = μεγίστη ( v. infr ., and cf. Field, Notes , 16 f .), Mat_22:36 ; compar . for superl . ( M , Pr., 78), 1Co_13:13 . 4. (a) Compar., μείζων : Mat_11:11 ; Mat_23:17 , al. ; neut. pl ., μείζονα , contr . μείζω , Joh_1:51 ; double compar ., μειζότερος ( M , Pr., 236; B1., § 11, 4), 3Jn_1:4 ; (b) superl ., μέγιστος ( Deiss., BS , 365), 2Pe_1:4 .

μέγας [page 392] The frequency with which μέγας is employed as a predicate of heathen gods and goddesses, e.g. P Strass II.81 .14 (B.C. 115) Ἴσιδος μεγάλης μητρὸς θεῶν , P Oxy VI. 886 .2 (a magical formula iii/A.D.) μεγάλη Ἶσις ἡ κυρία (cf. Act_19:28 μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων ), makes it the more noticeable that only once in the NT is the same epithet applied to the true God ( Tit_2:13 ) : see Thieme p. 36 f. For the repeated μέγας μέγας = a superlative, imitated from the Egyptian (Wilcken), see the question to the oracle in P Fay 137 .1 (i/A.D.)(= Selections , p. 69) Σοκωννω̣κοννῖ θεῶι μελο ( l. μεγάλωι ) μεγάλωι . χρημάτισόν μοι , ἦ μείνωι ἐν Βακχιάδι ; to Sokanobkoneus the great great god. Answer me, Shall I remain in Bacchias? : cf. BGU III. 748 iii. 6 (A.D. 48), ib . II. 590 .7 (A.D. 177 8) al. In a Eumeneian inscr. published in C. and B. ii. p. 386, No. 232 .5 , we hear of Ῥουβῇ μεγάλοιο θ [εοῦ ] θεράποντι , and Ramsay regards the name Roubes as a Grecized form of the Jewish Reuben (Ῥουβήν ), and the great god as Jehovah. For μέγας used of the Ptolemaic kings, cf. OGIS 94 .2 with reference to Ptolemy V. Epiphanes ὑπὲρ βασιλέως Πτολεμαίου , θεοῦ Ἐπιφανοῦς μεγάλου Εὐχαρίστου , and the other exx. cited by Dittenberger ad l. In P Magd 36 .1 (iii/B.C.) (= Chrest. I. p. 365 ) Μαρρῆς μέγας , the epithet is used to distinguish the older of two persons bearing the same name, like our own senior : so in P Petr II. 25 (i) .9 (iii/B.C.) Μάνρης μέγας , not long Manres, as Mahaffy ad l. , cf. also ib. pp. 32, 42. Similarly μικρός means junior. In P Hib I. 29 ( a ) recto .9 ( c. B.C. 265) (= Chrest. I. p. 306 ) provision is made that a proclamation shall be inscribed on a white notice-board γράψ̣ας εἰς λεύκωμα μ [ε ]γάλο̣ι̣ς γράμ̣μ̣α̣σ̣ι̣ν̣, where the adj. points to large distinct letters, in order to draw attention to what was written : cf. P Oxy VIII. 1100 .8 (A.D. 206) εὐδήλοις γράμμασι , with the editor s note. [This is probably the meaning to be attached to the πηλίκα γράμματα of Gal_6:11 : cf. Milligan Documents , p. 23 f.]. An interesting use of the adj. is also afforded by the illiterate P Oxy VII. 1069 .27 (iii/A.D.) σπούδασον γὰρ τὸ κειθώνειν μου γενέστε ( l. γενέσθαι ) πρὸ λόγον , καί κ [α ]λὰ μέτρα αὐτῷ βαλέτωσαν καὶ μεγάλε ( l. μεγάλαι ?) ἔστωσαν ἐπ̣εὶ ῥείδης ( l. ῥίζης ) αὐτοῦ , be careful to have my tunic made properly, and let them put good measure into it, and be large handed (i.e. generous, unstinting) in the colouring (Ed.). See further s.vv. μείζων and μέγιστος . In MGr the nom. is altered by the stem to μεγάλος .

μέγας Radic. sense, opp. to μικρός, σμικρός, "big, great", of men's stature, "tall", Hom. ; of "women", καλή τε μεγάλη τε Od. :—also, "great, full-grown", of age as shewn by stature, id=Od. , Aesch. "vast, high", οὐρανός, ὄρος, πύργος Hom. "vast, spacious, wide", πέλαγός, αἰγιαλός, etc., id=Hom. of Degree, "great, strong, mighty", of gods, id=Hom. , etc.; μεγάλα θεά, of Demeter and Proserpine, Soph. ; μέγας ηὐξήθη rose "to greatness", Dem. ; βασιλεὺς ὁ μέγας, i. e. the King of Persia, "le grand monarque", Hdt. ; βασιλεὺς μέγας Aesch. ; ὁ μ. ἐπικληθεὶς Ἀντίοχος "the Great", Polyb. "great, strong, violent", etc., ἄνεμος, λαῖλαψ Hom. ; of properties, passions, etc., id=Hom. , etc. of sounds, "great, loud", id=Hom. , etc.; μὴ φώνει μέγα Soph. ;—but, μέγας λόγος a "prevailing" rumour, Aesch. "great, mighty, weighty, important", μέγα ἔργον Od. ; μέγα ποιεῖσθαί τι to esteem "of great importance", Hdt. ; καὶ τὸ μέγιστον and what is "most important", Thuc. in bad sense, "over-great", μέγα εἰπεῖν to speak "big", λίην μέγα εἰπεῖν Od. ; μέγα, μεγάλα φρονεῖν to have "high" thoughts, be presumptuous, Soph. , Eur. ; μεγάλα πνεῖν Eur. adv. μεγάλως [α^], "greatly, mightily, exceedingly", Lat. magnopere, Hom. , Aesch. neut. sg. and pl. μέγα and μεγάλα as adv., "very much, exceedingly", Hom. ; with verbs of sound, "aloud, loudly", id=Hom. ; so in attic of Space, "far", μέγα ἄνευθε "far" away, Il. , etc.:—with comp. and Sup. "by far", μέγ᾽ ἀμείνων, ἄριστος, φέρτατος Hom. degrees of Comparison: comp. μείζων (for μεγίων), -ον, gen. -ονος, Hom. , attic; ionic μέζων, ον, Hdt. ; later also μειζότερος, NTest. :— "greater", Hom. , etc.; also, "too great, too much, more than enough", Plat. :—adv. μειζόνως Eur. ; ionic μεζόνως Hdt. , etc.; also neut. as adv., μεῖζον σθένειν Soph. , etc. Sup. μέγιστος, η, ον, Hom. :—neut. as adv., μέγιστον ἰσχύειν Soph. ; with another Sup. μέγιστον ἔχθιστος Eur. :—also in pl., χαῖρ᾽ ὡς μέγιστα Soph.

μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα, [in LXX chiefly for גָּדוֹל, also for מַרְבֶּה ,רַב (incl. μείζων), רֹב (μέγιστος) ;] great; __1. of external form, bodily size, measure, extent: λίθος, Mat.2:60; δράκων, Rev.12:3; ἰχθῦς, Jhn.21:11; πόλις, Rev.11:8; μάχαιρα, Rev.6:4, al. __2. Of intensity and degree: δύναμις, Act.4:33; φόβος, Mrk.4:41; ἀγάπη, Jhn.15:13; ἄνεμος, 'ib. 6:18; κραυγή, Act.23:9; φῶς, Mat.4:16; πυρετός, Luk.4:38; θλίψις, Mat.24:21. __3. Of rank; __(a) of persons: θεός (MM, xvi), Tit.2:13; Ἄρτεμις, Act.19:27; compar. (see infr.), Mat.18:1 (cf. Dalman, Words, 113f.); neut. for masc. (Bl., §32, 1), Mat.12:6; __(b) of things: ἁμαρτία, Jhn.19:11; μυστήριον, Eph.5:32; = μεγίστη (see infr., and cf. Field, Notes, 16f.), Mat.22:36; compar. for superl. (M, Pr., 78), 1Co.13:13. __4. __(a) Compar., μείζων: Mat.11:11 23:17, al.; neut. pl., μείζονα, contr. μείζω, Jhn.1:51; double compar., μειζότερος (M, Pr., 236; Bl., §11, 4), III Jo 4; __(b) superl, μέγιστος (Deiss., BS, 365), 2Pe.1:4. (AS)