Least
Least
“least,” is a superlative degree formed from the word elachus, “little,” the place of which was taken by mikros (the comparative degree being elasson, “less”); it is used of (a) size, Jam 3:4; (b) amount; of the management of affairs, Luk 16:10 (twice); Luk 19:17, “very little;” (c) importance, 1Co 6:2, “smallest (matters);” (d) authority: of commandments, Mat 5:19; (e) estimation, as to persons, Mat 5:19 (2nd part); Mat 25:40, Mat 25:45; 1Co 15:9; as to a town, Mat 2:6; as to activities or operations, Luk 12:26; 1Co 4:3, “a very small thing.”
a comparative degree formed from No. 1, is used in Eph 3:8, “less than the least.”
“small little,” is translated “the least” in Act 8:10; Heb 8:11, with reference to rank or influence. See LITTLE, A, No. 1.
the comparative of No. 3, is used of (a) size, Mat 13:32, AV, “the least,” RV, “less;” Mar 4:31 [cp. No. 1 (a)]; (b) estimation, Mat 11:11; Luk 7:28, AV, “least,” RV, “but little,” marg., “lesser” (in the kingdom of heaven), those in the kingdom itself being less than John the Baptist [cp. No. 1 (e)]; Luk 9:48. See LESS.
Notes: (1) In 1Co 6:4, AV, exoutheneo, in the Passive Voice, “to be of no account,” is translated “is least esteemed” (RV, “are of no account”); see ACCOUNT. (2) In Luk 19:42, the adverbial phrase kai ge, “at least,” is found in some mss.; the RV follows those in which it is absent. (3) In 1Co 9:2, AV, the phrase alla ge is rendered “doubtless;” RV, “at least.” (4) In Act 5:15, the phrase k’an (for kai ean, “even if”) denotes “at the least.”