The term "many" is frequently used in the Bible to denote a large number or multitude, often in contrast to "few." It appears in various contexts, ranging from descriptions of people and nations to the abundance of God's blessings and the multitude of His works.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "many" often describes the numerous descendants promised to the patriarchs. For instance, God promises Abraham that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17). This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, emphasizing the vastness of God's covenant blessings.

The term is also used to describe the multitude of nations and peoples. In the prophetic books, "many" often refers to the numerous nations that will come against Israel or be judged by God. For example, in Isaiah 2:2, it is prophesied that "many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.'"

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "many" frequently appears in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. It often highlights the contrast between those who follow Christ and those who do not. In Matthew 22:14, Jesus states, "For many are called, but few are chosen," illustrating the idea that while the invitation to salvation is extended to many, only a few respond in faith.

The term also appears in the context of Jesus' sacrificial work. In Matthew 26:28, during the Last Supper, Jesus says, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Here, "many" signifies the vast number of people who will benefit from His atoning sacrifice.

Theological Implications

The use of "many" in Scripture often underscores the inclusivity and expansiveness of God's plans and purposes. It reflects the abundance of His grace and the far-reaching impact of His promises. The term also serves as a reminder of the vastness of humanity and the scope of God's redemptive work through Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of "many" can inspire a sense of awe at the magnitude of God's creation and His work in the world. It encourages Christians to participate in the Great Commission, reaching out to the "many" who have yet to hear the Gospel. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the communal aspect of faith, as believers are part of a "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) and a global body of Christ-followers.

Related Verses

· Genesis 15:5 : "And the LORD took him outside and said, 'Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.' Then He told him, 'So shall your offspring be.'"
· Matthew 7:13 : "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
· Romans 5:19 : "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

The term "many" in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the vastness of God's creation, the inclusivity of His promises, and the expansive reach of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.1. (n.) A retinue of servants; a household.

2. (a. / pron.) Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.

3. (n.) The populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a community.

4. (n.) A large or considerable number.

4183. polus -- much, many
... much, many. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: polus Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-oos') Short Definition: much, many, often Definition: much, many; often. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4183.htm - 9k

5118. tosoutos -- so great, so much, pl. so many
... so many. Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun Transliteration: tosoutos Phonetic
Spelling: (tos-oo'-tos) Short Definition: so great Definition: so great, so ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5118.htm - 8k

3745. hosos -- how much, how many
... how much, how many. Part of Speech: Correlative Pronoun Transliteration: hosos Phonetic
Spelling: (hos'-os) Short Definition: how much, how great, how many ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3745.htm - 7k

4187. polutropos -- in many ways
... in many ways. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: polutropos Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-oot-rop'-oce) Short Definition: in many ways Definition: in many ways. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4187.htm - 7k

4181. polumeros -- in many parts
... in many parts. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: polumeros Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-oo-mer'-oce) Short Definition: in many parts Definition: in many parts ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4181.htm - 6k

4179. pollaplasion -- many times more
... many times more. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pollaplasion Phonetic
Spelling: (pol-lap-las-ee'-ohn) Short Definition: many times more, manifold ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4179.htm - 6k

4119. pleion -- more excellent, very great, many
... more excellent, very great, many. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pleion
Phonetic Spelling: (pli-own) Short Definition: more, greater Definition: more ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4119.htm - 7k

4164. poikilos -- many colored
... many colored. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: poikilos Phonetic Spelling:
(poy-kee'-los) Short Definition: various, of different colors Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4164.htm - 6k

4214. posos -- how much? how great?
... Correlative Or Interrogative Pronoun Transliteration: posos Phonetic Spelling:
(pos'-os) Short Definition: how much, how great, how many Definition: how much ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4214.htm - 7k

2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit
... sufficient, fit. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hikanos Phonetic Spelling:
(hik-an-os') Short Definition: sufficient, worthy, many, much Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2425.htm - 8k

7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... 7235, 7235a. rabah. 7235b . to be or become much, many or great.
Transliteration: rabah Short Definition: multiply. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7235a.htm - 6k

7227a. rab -- much, many, great
... 7227, 7227a. rab. 7227b . much, many, great. Transliteration: rab Short
Definition: many. Word Origin from rabab Definition much ...
/hebrew/7227a.htm - 6k

7231. rabab -- to be or become many or much
... 7230, 7231. rabab. 7232 . to be or become many or much. Transliteration: rabab
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-bab') Short Definition: many. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7231.htm - 6k

3527. kabar -- to be much or many
... 3526, 3527. kabar. 3528 . to be much or many. Transliteration: kabar Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-bar') Short Definition: abundance. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3527.htm - 6k

7227. rab -- much, many, great
... 7226, 7227. rab. 7227a . much, many, great. Transliteration: rab Phonetic
Spelling: (rab) Short Definition: abundance. in abundance ...
/hebrew/7227.htm - 6k

7552. Reqem -- "having many colors," a Midianite king, also two ...
... 7551, 7552. Reqem. 7553 . "having many colors," a Midianite king, also
two Israelites, also a city in Benjamin. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/7552.htm - 6k

7235. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... rabah. 7235a . to be or become much, many or great. Transliteration: rabah Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-baw') Short Definition: multiply. bring in abundance, ...
/hebrew/7235.htm - 6k

7690. saggi -- great, much
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to saggi Definition great, much NASB Word Usage
abundant (2), deeply (1), great (3), greatly (2), many (2), much (1), very ...
/hebrew/7690.htm - 6k

7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... immense (1), increased (1), large (1), large amount (1), large number (1), large
numbers (1), large quantities (2), length (1), magnitude (1), many (25), mass ...
/hebrew/7230.htm - 6k

4100. mah -- what? how? anything
... anything NASB Word Usage anything (2), how (93), how long (2), how many (3), how
many* (2), how often (2), how* (1), if* (1), many (1), nothing* (1), reason* (2 ...
/hebrew/4100.htm - 6k

Many and One
... ROMANS MANY AND ONE. ... We are accustomed to hear from many lips: 'I have no use for
these dogmas that Paul delights in. Give me his practical teaching. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/many and one.htm

'Many Mansions'
... 'MANY MANSIONS'. 'In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you.'"John 14:2. Sorrow needs simple ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/many mansions.htm

Whether Ideas are Many?
... OF IDEAS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether ideas are many? Objection 1: It seems
that ideas are not many. For an idea in God is His essence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether ideas are many.htm

August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the ...
... AUGUST 6. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of
God" (Rom. viii. 14). "As many as are led by the Spirit ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /august 6 as many as.htm

The House of Many Mansions.
... Chapter XIV. The House of Many Mansions. ... (John 14:2). 2. In my Father's house are
many mansions. By the "Father's house" is meant the heavenly abode. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the house of many mansions.htm

As Many as are Called by the Gospel are Unfeignedly Called. ...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Article 8 As many as are called by
the gospel are unfeignedly called.? As many as are called ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 8 as many as.htm

The Man who Owed Many Talents.
... Book XIV. 10. The Man Who Owed Many Talents. Next we must speak in regard
to this, "And when he had begun to reckon, there was brought ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/10 the man who owed.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ... s 14,
15.""For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvii for as many.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ... s 14,
15.""For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvi for as many.htm

Whether "One" and "Many" are Opposed to Each Other?
... THE UNITY OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether "one" and "many" are opposed to each other?
Objection 1: It seems that "one" and "many" are not mutually opposed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one and many are.htm

Many (5451 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Many (5451 Occurrences). Many is found 5451 times in 12
translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/m/many.htm - 7k

Many-sided (1 Occurrence)
Many-sided. Many-peaked, Many-sided. Maoch . Noah Webster's
Dictionary 1. (a.) Having many sides; -- said of figures. ...
/m/many-sided.htm - 7k

Many-peaked (2 Occurrences)
Many-peaked. Many-colored, Many-peaked. Many-sided . Multi-Version
Concordance Many-peaked (2 Occurrences). Psalms 68:15 As mount ...
/m/many-peaked.htm - 7k

Many-colored (1 Occurrence)
Many-colored. Many, Many-colored. Many-peaked . Multi-Version Concordance
Many-colored (1 Occurrence). Psalms 45:14 She shall be ...
/m/many-colored.htm - 6k

Astray (116 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV YLT RSV). Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying,'I am
the Christ,' and will lead many astray. (WEB ASV YLT RSV). ...
/a/astray.htm - 36k

Served (182 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY RSV). Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/served.htm - 37k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... Vest (11 Occurrences). Genesis 37:3 And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons,
because he was son of his old age; and he made him a vest of many colours. ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Although (167 Occurrences)
... See NAS). Matthew 26:60 but they could find none, although many false witnesses
came forward. At length there came two (WEY). Mark ...
/a/although.htm - 35k

Suffered (88 Occurrences)
... 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have
nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this ...
/s/suffered.htm - 32k

Signs (127 Occurrences)
... John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast,
many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. ...
/s/signs.htm - 38k

Why are there so many religions? Do all religions lead to God? | GotQuestions.org

What does “Many are called but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14 mean? | GotQuestions.org

How many angels are there? | GotQuestions.org

Many: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus