μεγαλεῖος (megaleios)
megaleios
mighty
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective megaleios describes something that is magnificent, splendid, or wonderful in a way that commands attention. It conveys a sense of grandeur and excellence, often associated with visible power or impressive appearance. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 2:11, where it modifies the language heard by the crowd at Pentecost.
The term is derived from megas, meaning "great," but carries a distinct nuance of splendor rather than mere size. Its usage in the Septuagint and other ancient Greek literature highlights its association with majestic or awe-inspiring qualities. In Acts, it describes the miraculous ability to speak in tongues as a phenomenon of divine magnificence, emphasizing the wonder of the event to those who witnessed it.
Translators typically render megaleios as "mighty" or "wonderful," capturing the sense of something extraordinary and divinely empowered. The word’s rarity in the New Testament underscores its specific role in highlighting the spectacular nature of God’s work in this pivotal moment, marking the birth of the church with a display of power that defied natural explanation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word megaleios paints a picture of divine grandeur that goes beyond simple size. It describes something splendid and awe-inspiring, capturing the visible power of God’s work. In Acts 2:11, this adjective transforms the scene at Pentecost from a mere linguistic miracle into a display of majesty. The crowd did not just hear new words; they encountered the mighty works of God with hearts attuned to wonder.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s actions are often marked by splendor. When we look back on answered prayers or seasons of grace, we can recognize the megaleios nature of His handiwork. It invites us to view our spiritual journey not as a routine duty, but as participation in something magnificent and divinely empowered.
Let this word encourage you to seek God’s presence with expectation. His works are not hidden or small; they are designed to command attention and inspire awe. May your eyes be opened to see the splendor of His grace in your daily life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- great things1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μεγαλεῖα1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 2:11
Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
This single occurrence uses megaleios to describe the 'mighty works' heard in tongues, emphasizing the spectacular and awe-inspiring nature of the Pentecost miracle rather than just the linguistic ability.