τοσοῦτος (tosoutos)
tosoutos
so great
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective tosoûtos conveys a sense of magnitude, meaning "so great," "so much," or "so many." It functions as a demonstrative that points back to a previously mentioned quantity or quality, emphasizing the scale of what has been described. This word appears nineteen times in the New Testament, with notable usage in the Gospels, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and Revelation.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. When applied to time, it means "so long," as seen when Jesus asks how long he must be with his disciples in John 14:9. In quantitative contexts, it can refer to numbers or amounts, such as the five loaves and two fish being insufficient for so many people in Matthew 15:33. The word also appears in comparative structures, highlighting a significant difference in status or value.
A key feature of tosoûtos is its correlative relationship with hósos ("as much as"). This pairing allows writers to draw precise comparisons between degrees. For instance, Hebrews 10:25 uses this structure to contrast the severity of neglecting assembly meetings with the greater penalty for despising Christ. The word serves as a linguistic tool for measuring intensity and extent within biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word helps us measure the scale of God’s work in our lives. When Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith in Matthew 8:10, He uses it to show that trust in God can rise above cultural boundaries and expectations. It reminds us that the quality of our belief matters more than our background or status.
We also see this measure applied to time and endurance. In Hebrews 12:1, the phrase describes a vast cloud of witnesses surrounding us. This is not just about history; it is an encouragement to keep running your race with perseverance. The magnitude of those who have gone before you supports your current journey.
Whether referring to the small lunch that fed thousands or the long time Jesus spent with His disciples, this word highlights how God uses what seems insufficient or ordinary to accomplish great things. It invites us to look beyond surface appearances and trust in the depth of His provision and presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- so much3×
- so many3×
- so great3×
- So many2×
- such great1×
- such a great1×
- so many?1×
- so long1×
- so great?1×
- for so much.1×
- for so much1×
- So many things1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τοσοῦτον3×
- τοσούτῳ3×
- τοσαῦτα2×
- τοσαύτην2×
- τοσοῦτόν1×
- τοσοῦτος1×
- τοσοῦτον;¶1×
- τοσοῦτοι1×
- τοσοῦτο1×
- τοσούτων1×
- τοσούτους;1×
- τοσούτου.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.
Jesus uses this word to express amazement at a Gentile centurion’s faith, showing that genuine trust in God transcends traditional religious boundaries.
-
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
The phrase describes the immense number of faithful believers who serve as examples, encouraging Christians to persevere in their own spiritual race.
-
John 6:9
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”
This word emphasizes the overwhelming size of the crowd, highlighting how a small child’s offering becomes sufficient through Jesus’ power.
-
John 14:9
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Jesus uses it to point out the irony that His long presence with Philip should have revealed the Father, connecting time spent with Him to spiritual knowledge.