Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "smallest" in the Bible often conveys themes of humility, insignificance, and the unexpected ways in which God works through what is considered minor or least in the eyes of the world. This theme is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating God's sovereignty and the reversal of human expectations.
Old Testament References1.
Gideon's Army: In
Judges 7, God reduces Gideon's army to a mere 300 men to defeat the Midianites, emphasizing that victory comes not through might but through God's power. This small number highlights the principle that God often uses the smallest and weakest to accomplish His purposes.
2.
David and Goliath: David, the youngest and smallest of Jesse's sons, is chosen by God to defeat the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This account underscores the idea that God does not look at outward appearances but at the heart (
1 Samuel 16:7).
3.
The Tribe of Benjamin: In
1 Samuel 9:21, Saul refers to his tribe, Benjamin, as the smallest of the tribes of Israel. Despite this, God chooses Saul to be the first king of Israel, demonstrating that God's choices are not limited by human standards of greatness.
New Testament References1.
The Mustard Seed: Jesus uses the mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven in
Matthew 13:31-32. Though it is the smallest, it grows into the largest of garden plants, symbolizing how God's kingdom starts small but grows beyond expectation.
2.
The Least of These: In
Matthew 25:40, Jesus speaks of serving "the least of these" as serving Him. This teaching emphasizes the value and importance of those who are considered the smallest or least significant in society.
3.
Faith Like a Mustard Seed: In
Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells His disciples that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. This statement highlights the power and potential of even the smallest amount of genuine faith.
4.
The Widow's Mite: In
Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a poor widow giving two small coins, which He declares to be more than all the others gave, because she gave out of her poverty. This account illustrates that God values the heart and sacrifice behind the gift, not its size.
Theological ImplicationsThe recurring theme of "smallest" in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's ability to use the humble and insignificant to fulfill His divine purposes. It challenges human perceptions of power and importance, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and providence. The emphasis on the smallest also calls Christians to humility, faith, and service, recognizing that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (
2 Corinthians 12:9).
Greek
1646. elachistos -- least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.)... amount, dignity, etc.). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elachistos Phonetic
Spelling: (el-akh'-is-tos) Short Definition: least,
smallest, very little
...2503. iota -- iota
... alphabet Definition: iota, a small letter of the Greek alphabet, used in the NT
(like yod, the Hebrew or rather Aramaic letter which was thesmallest of all...
2835. kodrantes -- quadrans, one-fourth of an as (a Roman monetary...
... Roman monetary unit). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kodrantes
Phonetic Spelling: (kod-ran'-tace) Short Definition: thesmallest Roman copper...
1647. elachistoteros -- less than the least.
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elachistoteros Phonetic Spelling:
(el-akh-is-tot'-er-os) Short Definition: thesmallest, least important Definition...
1520. heis -- one
... 1), lone (1), man (1), nothing* (1), one (282), one another (1), one man (2), one
thing (5), one* (2), person (1), single (1),smallest (1), someone (2), thirty...
4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant)
... [The mustard seed is thesmallest of all seeds that a Palestinian farmer would sow .
A mustard plant reaches a height of three meters (about ten feet)....
3398. mikros -- small, little
... Definition small, little NASB Word Usage least (4), less (1), little (13), little
ones (6), little while (10), short (1), small (8), smaller (2),smallest (1)....
3016. leptos -- peeled, fine, thin, small, light
... leptos Phonetic Spelling: (lep-ton') Short Definition: a small piece of money
Definition: a small piece of money, probably thesmallest piece of money....
Strong's Hebrew
6996a. qatan -- small, young, unimportant... Origin from qaton Definition small, young, unimportant NASB Word Usage least (10),
little (7), small (13), small things (1), smaller (1),
smallest (1), young (3
...6996b. qaton -- small, insignificant
... Word Origin from qaton Definition small, insignificant NASB Word Usage all* (2),
brief (1), lesser (1), little (6), minor (2), small (22),smallest one (1...
6996. qatan -- small, young, unimportant
... kaw-tawn') Short Definition: least. least, lesser, little one,smallest,
one, quantity, thing, younger, Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from...
Library
Nor is it to the Point to Say that the VerySmallest and Briefest....
... Book 2 Chapter 34. Nor is it to the point to say that the verysmallest
and briefest? 34. Nor is it to the point to say that the...
Look Now at Warring Christendom, whatSmallest Drop of Pity...
... Address 201: Look now at warring Christendom, whatsmallest drop of pity
towards sinners is to be? Look now at warring Christendom...
Feeding in the Ways
... Religion is meant to direct conduct, and thesmallest affairs of life are to come
under its imperial control, and the only way by which a man can get any good...
Sin and Forgiveness
... If a line be absolutely straight, and we are running another parallel to
it, thesmallest possible wavering is fatal to our copy....
How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent...
... xix.1). For he that neglects to bewail and avoid thesmallest sins falls from the
state of righteousness, not indeed suddenly, but bit by bit entirely....
Rhoda
... to insist that no heights or delights of devotion and secret communion are sufficient
excuses for neglecting or delaying the doing of thesmallest and most...
The Tillage of the Poor
... that responsibility does not diminish with the size of the gifts, but that there
is as great responsibility for the use of thesmallest as for the use of the...
The Glory of the Trinity
... My friends, it is not in great things only, but in the verysmallest, that
the greatest glory of the ever blessed Trinity is seen....
Letter ccxxxvi. To the Same Amphilochius.
... part He falls short, He is not an image of the whole; and how can we understand
the Father not to have shewn that day and that hour"thesmallest portion of...
What I Think of Myself and what God Thinks of Me
... honestly and rigidly, the test, 'Is this right or wrong?' 'He that is faithful in
that which is least,' and conscientious down to thesmallest things, 'is...
Thesaurus
Smallest (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Smallest (16 Occurrences). Matthew 5:18 For most
certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away
...Jot (1 Occurrence)
... Or Iota, thesmallest letter of the Greek alphabet, used metaphorically or proverbially
for thesmallest thing (Matthew 5:18); or it may be = yod, which is the...
Least (76 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.)Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant;
as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space....
Log (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Thesmallest measure for liquids used by the Hebrews
(Leviticus 14:10, 12, 15, 21, 24), called in the Vulgate sextarius....
Letter (112 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not
even onesmallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away...
Gerah (1 Occurrence)
... A bean, probably of the carob tree, thesmallest weight, and also thesmallest piece
of money, among the Hebrews, equal to the twentieth part of a shekel...
Drop (32 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quantity of fluid which falls in one small spherical mass; a liquid
globule; a minim; hence, also, thesmallest easily measured portion of a fluid...
Designed (14 Occurrences)
... of the Lord which he has made against Edom, and to his purposes designed against
the people of Teman: Truly, they will be pulled away by thesmallest of the...
Detail (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one
iota orsmallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has taken place....
Mite (1 Occurrence)
... Contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word
lepton, the verysmallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; 21:2). Two mites...
Resources
What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.orgSmallest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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