Original Word: πλεονέκτης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: pleonektés
Pronunciation: pleh-on-EK-tace
Phonetic Spelling: (pleh-on-ek'-tace)
Definition: Covetous person, greedy person
Meaning: a covetous or avaricious person; one desirous of having more.

covetous.

From pleion and echo; holding (desiring) more, i.e. Eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder) -- covetous.

see GREEK pleion

see GREEK echo

Cognate: 4123 pleonéktēs (a masculine noun derived from 4122 /pleonektéō, "to covet") – used of "a greedy, covetous, rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others" (Souter). See 4124 (pleoneksia).

Word Origin
from the cptv. of polus and echó
Definition
one desirous of having more
NASB Translation
covetous (3), covetous man (1).

STRONGS NT 4123: πλεονέκτης

πλεονέκτης, πλεονέκτου, ὁ (πλέον and ἔχω);

1. one eager to have more, especially what belongs to others ((Thucydides 1, 40, 1 (cf. Herodotus 7, 158)); Xenophon, mem. 1, 5, 3);

2. greedy of gain, covetous: 1 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:5; Sir. 14:9.

Word Origin: Derived from πλεονεκτέω (pleonekteō), which means "to covet" or "to desire more."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πλεονέκτης, similar concepts can be found in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word בָּצַע (batsa, Strong's H1214) conveys the idea of unjust gain or covetousness, as seen in passages like Proverbs 1:19: "Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it." Another related term is חָמַד (chamad, Strong's H2530), meaning "to covet" or "to desire," as used in the Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17). These terms reflect the broader biblical condemnation of greed and the call to live a life of integrity and contentment.

Usage: The term πλεονέκτης is used in the New Testament to describe individuals characterized by greed and an insatiable desire for more, often leading to unethical behavior. It is typically used in a negative context, highlighting a moral failing.

Context: The Greek term πλεονέκτης appears in several New Testament passages, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dangers of greed. In Ephesians 5:5, it is written, "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Here, πλεονέκτης is equated with idolatry, suggesting that greed can become a form of worship, replacing God with material desires.

In 1 Corinthians 6:10, Paul warns that "nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage places the greedy alongside other sinners who are excluded from God's kingdom, underscoring the severity of this vice.

The concept of πλεονέκτης is not merely about possessing wealth but is more concerned with the attitude towards wealth and possessions. It reflects a heart condition that prioritizes material gain over spiritual values and relationships. The New Testament consistently warns against this mindset, encouraging believers to seek contentment and trust in God's provision.

The moral teachings of the New Testament advocate for a life of generosity and selflessness, contrasting sharply with the self-centeredness of πλεονέκτης. This term serves as a caution against allowing material desires to dominate one's life, urging believers to pursue righteousness and godliness instead.

πλεονεκται πλεονέκται πλεονεκταις πλεονέκταις πλεονεκτης πλεονέκτης pleonektai pleonéktai pleonektais pleonéktais pleonektes pleonektēs pleonéktes pleonéktēsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts