ὀλίγος
oligos
little/few
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ὀλίγος (oligos) is a term that conveys the idea of being small or few in number. Its short definition, "little/few," encapsulates its core meaning. This word appears 44 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. In its usage, ὀλίγος often refers to a small quantity or a limited number of people, objects, or situations. It can also imply scarcity or a lack of something. For example, in situations where there are only a few people involved, the word ὀλίγος might be used to describe the group size. This word's range of usage is broad, encompassing various aspects of life, from material possessions to social interactions. The significance of ὀλίγος lies in its ability to convey a sense of limitation or scarcity, which can have different implications depending on the context. In some cases, it might highlight the value of what is available, while in others, it might emphasize the need for more. Overall, ὀλίγος serves as a useful term for describing situations where there is a lack or a limited quantity of something.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
44 total occurrences across the text
How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.
Matthew 9:37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 15:34Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matthew 25:21“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:23“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Mark 1:19Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
Mark 6:5He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them.
Mark 6:31He said to them, “You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Mark 8:7They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.
Luke 5:3He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Luke 10:2Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 12:48but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
Luke 13:23One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them,
Luke 14:24For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper.’ ”
Acts 17:12Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
Acts 12:18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
Acts 14:28They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.
Acts 15:2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 17:4Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
Acts 19:23About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.
Acts 19:24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,
Acts 26:28Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”
Acts 26:29Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.”
Acts 27:20When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
2 Corinthians 8:15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
Ephesians 3:3how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
1 Timothy 4:8For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 5:23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
Hebrews 12:10For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
James 4:14Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
1 Peter 1:6Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials,
1 Peter 3:20who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
1 Peter 5:10But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:12Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Revelation 2:20But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Revelation 3:4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 12:12Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
Revelation 17:10They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.