πολύτιμοςpolýtimos
extremely valuable
Greek (New Testament) · G4186
Meanings
1. much revered (Menand.).
2. very costly, very precious: Matthew 13:46, Matthew 26:7, John 12:3; comparat., 1 Peter 1:7.
Same root
- πολύςpolýs · G4183(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
- τιμήtimḗ · G5092a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
Where it appears
Appears 3 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 13:46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
- John 12:3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
- 1 Peter 1:7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.