Quick Definition
various, of different colors
Strong's Definition
motley, i.e. various in character
Derivation: of uncertain derivation;
KJV Usage: divers, manifold
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ποικίλος, ποικίλη, ποικίλον, from Homer down, various, i. e.
a. of divers colors, variegated: the Sept. b. equivalent to of divers sorts: Mat_4:24; Mar_1:34; Luk_4:40; 2Ti_3:6; Tit_3:3; Heb_2:4; Heb_13:9; Jas_1:2; 1Pe_1:6; 1Pe_4:10 ((A. V. in the last two examples manifold)).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ποικίλος poikilos 10x
of various colors, variegated, checkered; various, diverse, manifold, Mat_4:24 various.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ποικίλος , -η , -ον ,
[in LXX for H5348 , H7553 , etc.;]
many-coloured, variegated . Metaph ., various, manifold: Mat_4:24 , Mar_1:34 , Luk_4:40 , 2Ti_3:6 , Tit_3:3 , Heb_2:4 ; Heb_13:9 , Jas_1:2 , 1Pe_1:6 ; 1Pe_4:10 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ποικίλος [page 523]
For the original meaning of this adj. many-coloured, variegated, cf. P Hib I. 120 .7 (B.C. 250 249), an account for goats which are classified as μέλαιναι , πυρραί , ποικίλαι , black, red, streaked, similarly P Cairo Preis 37 .9 (iii/B.C.) τ [ρεῖς ] β̣[ο ]ῦς , δύο μὲν [. . . . . .], ἕν [α δ ]ε̣̣ ποικίλ̣ο̣ν , and Artem. p. 234 .24 ποικίλα καὶ κατάστικτα (ζῷα ). In Herodas V. 67 Headlam (see note, p. 257) understands the word as decorated with tattoo-marks. For the adv. cf. Olsson Papyrusbriefe 34 .20 (time of Claudius) οἱ κονια [ταὶ ποικ ]ίλω̣ς πάντα πεποιήκα [σι καὶ ] ποι [ο ]ῦσι , of plasterers decorating the walls of a house : see also Aristeas 17 πολλαχῶς καὶ ποικίλως .
In its NT occurrences ( Mat_4:24 al. ) the adj. is used metaphorically various, manifold : cf. Aelian V.H. ix. 8 ὁ δὲ . . . πολλαῖς καὶ ποικίλαις χρησάμενος βίου μεταβολαῖς , and Herodas III. 89, where the meaning is shifting, artful, of character (see Headlarn s note, p. 159 f.)
For the subst. ποικιλία (cf. Pss. Son_4:8 ), see the calendar P Hib I. 27 .39 (B.C. 301 240) ἡ τῶν μορίων ποικ̣[ιλία ?, where, if the restoration is right, the reference is apparently to the multitude of the complicated fractions of the hours of the nights and days : see the editors note. For ποικιλτής , a broiderer, cf. BGU I. 34 recto ii. 24 , and for ποικιλτός ( Exo_28:6 ) embroidered, cf. P Oxy X. 1277 .8 (A.D. 255).
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ποικίλος ποι^κίλος, η, ον "many-coloured, spotted, mottled, pied, dappled", of leopards, fawns, Hom. , etc. of robes, "wrought in various colours, broidered", Il. , etc.; ἐν ποικίλοις κάλλεσιν, of a rich carpet, Aesch. ; so, τὰ ποικίλα id=Aesch. of metal work, τεύχεα π. χαλκῷ "in-wrought" with brass, Il. , etc.: but, π. δεσμός "intricate", Od. ἡ στοὰ ἡ ποικίλη, "the Poecile or great hall at Athens adorned with paintings" of the battle of Marathon by Polygnotus, Aeschin. , etc. metaph. "changeful, various, diversified, manifold", Aesch. , Plat. ;— π. μῆνες the "changing" months, Pind. of Art, π. ὕμνος a song "of changeful strain or full of diverse art", id=Pind. ; so, ποικίλον κιθαρίζων id=Pind. "intricate, complex", Hdt. , Soph. , etc.: —adv., ποικίλως αὐδώμενος speaking "in double sense", Soph. of abstruse knowledge, "intricate, subtle", ποικίλον τι εἰδέναι Eur. ; οὐδὲν π. nothing "abstruse or difficult", Plat. :—so, of persons, "subtle, wily", Aesch. ; π. γὰρ ἁνήρ Ar. "changeable, changeful, unstable", Arist. :— ποικίλως ἔχειν to be "different", Xen.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ποικίλος, -η, -ον
[in LXX for נָקֹד, רִקְמָה, etc. ;]
many-coloured, variegated. Metaphorical, various, manifold: Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:34, Luk.4:40, 2Ti.3:6, Tit.3:3, Heb.2:4 13:9, Jas.1:2, 1Pe.1:6 4:10.†
(AS)