ἀριθμός

a number, total

Definition

The Greek word ἀριθμός refers to a number, count, or total. In the New Testament, it most often denotes a specific numerical count, such as the number of people in a crowd (John 6:10) or the number of disciples added to the church (Acts 4:4). It can also signify a fixed or appointed number, as seen in Romans 9:27 where Paul references the remnant of Israel being saved according to a specific 'number' determined by God. In some contexts, like Acts 5:36, it simply indicates a group of people of a certain size.

Biblical Usage

ἀριθμός is used 15 times in the New Testament, primarily in the historical books of Luke, John, and Acts to report numerical growth in the early church (e.g., Acts 2:41, 6:7, 11:21, 16:5). It consistently appears in contexts of counting or quantifying people, such as followers, converts, or crowds. The word is used literally and does not carry symbolic numerical meaning (like gematria) in these passages.

Etymology

Derived from the root ῥιθμός (rithmos), meaning 'measured motion' or 'rhythm,' combined with the prefix ἀ- (a-). The connection suggests the concept of a measured or counted total. It is the source of the English word 'arithmetic.'

Semantic Range

While primarily a mundane term for counting, ἀριθμός gains theological significance in passages like Romans 9:27, where it points to God's sovereign election and the fulfillment of prophecy concerning a remnant. Its use in Acts to quantify church growth underscores the tangible, historical reality of the gospel's spread, affirming God's work in gathering His people.

In the Greco-Roman world, numbers were essential for administration, military censuses, and civic records. The New Testament's frequent use of ἀριθμός to count people reflects this practical mindset and provides a verifiable record of the early church's expansion, contrasting with vague claims of growth.

πλήθος (plēthos, G4128) — emphasizes a multitude or large crowd, more about the mass than a specific count. μυριάς (myrias, G3461) — means 'ten thousand' or an innumerable multitude, used for vast, often uncountable numbers.

Word Details

Scripture References