πλήθω

I fill

Definition

The Greek verb πλήθω primarily means 'to fill' or 'to fulfill,' often describing a state of being made full or complete. In a physical sense, it can refer to filling a container, as with the sponge of wine vinegar in Matthew 27:48. More significantly, it frequently describes a person being filled with an abstract quality, such as the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15, 1:41, 1:67), wisdom (Luke 2:40, implied), or even time, as in the fulfillment of days for a pregnancy (Luke 1:57, 2:6). This sense of fulfillment extends to the completion of a divine purpose or period.

Biblical Usage

πλήθω is used 24 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospel of Luke (9 times) and Acts (7 times), highlighting its importance in Luke's narrative of the Spirit's work. Its usage falls into clear patterns: 1) Being filled with the Holy Spirit or prophetic inspiration (Luke 1:41, Acts 2:4, 4:8, 13:9). 2) The fulfillment of a time period, especially related to birth (Luke 1:57, 2:6, 2:21-22). 3) The filling of physical objects or spaces (Matthew 27:48, Luke 5:7). The passive voice is common, emphasizing the subject receiving the filling from an external source, often God.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *pelh₁- ('to fill'), it is related to the Greek adjective πλήρης (plērēs, G4134) meaning 'full.' The verb itself is the root for nouns like πλήθος (plēthos, G4128) meaning 'a multitude' or 'full number.' Its meaning consistently centers on the concept of fullness, completion, and abundance.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as a key term for the Holy Spirit's activity in the lives of believers, especially in Luke-Acts. Being 'filled' (πλήθω) with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a recurring experience for empowerment, prophecy, and bold witness (Acts 4:8, 13:9). It also underscores God's sovereign timing, as He 'fills' or fulfills the days for His redemptive plans, such as the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the dynamic, often supernatural, nature of divine fulfillment and empowerment.

In the ancient world, the concept of being 'filled' by a divine spirit or power was a familiar one in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. For Jews, it echoed the Old Testament experience of prophets upon whom the Spirit of the Lord came. The Greek term itself would resonate with broader Hellenistic ideas of divine inspiration or possession, though the New Testament usage is distinctly shaped by Jewish monotheism and the unique person of the Holy Spirit.

πληρόω (plēroō, G4137) — emphasizes bringing to completion or fulfilling prophecy/obligation; more common. γεμίζω (gemizō, G1072) — focuses on the physical act of loading or filling a container.

Word Details

Scripture References