Original Word: πολυτελής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: polutelés
Pronunciation: po-loo-te-LACE
Phonetic Spelling: (pol-oo-tel-ace')
Definition: Costly, expensive, precious
Meaning: very costly, very precious, of great value.

costly, very precious, of great price.

From polus and telos; extremely expensive -- costly, very precious, of great price.

see GREEK polus

see GREEK telos

Word Origin
from polus and telos
Definition
very costly
NASB Translation
costly (1), precious (1), very costly (1).

STRONGS NT 4185: πολυτελής

πολυτελής, πολυτελές (πολύς, and τέλος cost) (from Herodotus down), precious;

a. requiring great outlay, very costly: Mark 14:3; 1 Timothy 2:9. (Thucydides and following; the Sept.)

b. excellent, of surpassing value (A. V. of great price): 1 Peter 3:4. ((Plato, others.))

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: πολύς (polys), meaning "many" or "much," and τέλος (telos), meaning "end" or "purpose." The combination suggests something that is costly or of great value.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πολυτελής, similar concepts of value and costliness can be found in Hebrew words such as יָקָר (yaqar, Strong's 3368), meaning "precious" or "valuable," and חָמוּד (chamud, Strong's 2530), meaning "desirable" or "precious." These terms are used in the Old Testament to describe items of great worth or significance, often in the context of offerings or treasures.

Usage: The word πολυτελής appears in the New Testament to describe items of significant value or luxury. It is used in contexts that highlight the wealth or opulence of certain objects or materials.

Context: • Occurrences in the New Testament: The term πολυτελής is found in the New Testament in passages that emphasize the richness or extravagance of certain items. For example, in Mark 14:3, it is used to describe the "alabaster jar of very expensive perfume" that a woman pours on Jesus' head. This act of anointing with costly perfume signifies both the woman's devotion and the value she places on honoring Jesus.
• Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Greco-Roman world, items described as πολυτελής were often associated with wealth and status. Such items could include luxurious clothing, precious stones, or expensive perfumes. The use of πολυτελής in the New Testament often serves to contrast earthly wealth with spiritual values, highlighting the transient nature of material possessions compared to eternal truths.
• Theological Implications: The use of πολυτελής in the New Testament can be seen as a reflection on the nature of true value. While material wealth is not inherently condemned, the scriptures often encourage believers to seek treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The costly perfume in Mark 14:3, for instance, becomes a symbol of sacrificial love and devotion, pointing to the greater worth of spiritual acts over material possessions.

πολυτελει πολυτελεί πολυτελεῖ πολυτελείς πολυτελες πολυτελές πολυτελή πολυτελους πολυτελούς πολυτελοῦς πολυτελών πολυτέλων polutelei poluteles polutelous polytelei polyteleî polyteles polytelés polytelous polyteloûsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts