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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Smallest</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/smallest.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/matthew/5-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/smallest.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Smallest</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/smaller.htm" title="Smaller">◄</a> Smallest <a href="/topical/s/smaragd.htm" title="Smaragd">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The concept of "smallest" in the Bible often conveys themes of humility, insignificance, and the unexpected ways in which God works through what is considered minor or least in the eyes of the world. This theme is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating God's sovereignty and the reversal of human expectations. Old Testament References 1. Gideon's Army: In <a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Judges 7</a>, God reduces Gideon's army to a mere 300 men to defeat the Midianites, emphasizing that victory comes not through might but through God's power. This small number highlights the principle that God often uses the smallest and weakest to accomplish His purposes. 2. David and Goliath: David, the youngest and smallest of Jesse's sons, is chosen by God to defeat the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This account underscores the idea that God does not look at outward appearances but at the heart (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>). 3. The Tribe of Benjamin: In <a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a>, Saul refers to his tribe, Benjamin, as the smallest of the tribes of Israel. Despite this, God chooses Saul to be the first king of Israel, demonstrating that God's choices are not limited by human standards of greatness. New Testament References 1. The Mustard Seed: Jesus uses the mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven in <a href="/matthew/13-31.htm">Matthew 13:31-32</a>. Though it is the smallest, it grows into the largest of garden plants, symbolizing how God's kingdom starts small but grows beyond expectation. 2. The Least of These: In <a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a>, Jesus speaks of serving "the least of these" as serving Him. This teaching emphasizes the value and importance of those who are considered the smallest or least significant in society. 3. Faith Like a Mustard Seed: In <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a>, Jesus tells His disciples that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. This statement highlights the power and potential of even the smallest amount of genuine faith. 4. The Widow's Mite: In <a href="/mark/12-41.htm">Mark 12:41-44</a>, Jesus observes a poor widow giving two small coins, which He declares to be more than all the others gave, because she gave out of her poverty. This account illustrates that God values the heart and sacrifice behind the gift, not its size. Theological Implications The recurring theme of "smallest" in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's ability to use the humble and insignificant to fulfill His divine purposes. It challenges human perceptions of power and importance, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and providence. The emphasis on the smallest also calls Christians to humility, faith, and service, recognizing that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a>).<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/1646.htm">1646. elachistos -- least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.)</a> ... amount, dignity, etc.). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elachistos Phonetic Spelling: (el-akh'-is-tos) Short Definition: least, smallest, very little ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1646.htm - 8k<a href="/greek/2503.htm">2503. iota -- iota</a> ... alphabet Definition: iota, a small letter of the Greek alphabet, used in the NT (like yod, the Hebrew or rather Aramaic letter which was the smallest of all ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2503.htm - 7k<a href="/greek/2835.htm">2835. kodrantes -- quadrans, one-fourth of an as (a Roman monetary ...</a> ... Roman monetary unit). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kodrantes Phonetic Spelling: (kod-ran'-tace) Short Definition: the smallest Roman copper ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2835.htm - 7k<a href="/greek/1647.htm">1647. elachistoteros -- less than the least.</a> ... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elachistoteros Phonetic Spelling: (el-akh-is-tot'-er-os) Short Definition: the smallest, least important Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1647.htm - 6k<a href="/greek/1520.htm">1520. heis -- one</a> ... 1), lone (1), man (1), nothing* (1), one (282), one another (1), one man (2), one thing (5), one* (2), person (1), single (1), smallest (1), someone (2), thirty ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1520.htm - 7k<a href="/greek/4615.htm">4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant)</a> ... [The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds that a Palestinian farmer would sow . A mustard plant reaches a height of three meters (about ten feet). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4615.htm - 6k<a href="/greek/3398.htm">3398. mikros -- small, little</a> ... Definition small, little NASB Word Usage least (4), less (1), little (13), little ones (6), little while (10), short (1), small (8), smaller (2), smallest (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3398.htm - 7k<a href="/greek/3016.htm">3016. leptos -- peeled, fine, thin, small, light</a> ... leptos Phonetic Spelling: (lep-ton') Short Definition: a small piece of money Definition: a small piece of money, probably the smallest piece of money. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3016.htm - 6k<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/6996a.htm">6996a. qatan -- small, young, unimportant</a> ... Origin from qaton Definition small, young, unimportant NASB Word Usage least (10), little (7), small (13), small things (1), smaller (1), smallest (1), young (3 ... /hebrew/6996a.htm - 5k <a href="/hebrew/6996b.htm">6996b. qaton -- small, insignificant</a> ... Word Origin from qaton Definition small, insignificant NASB Word Usage all* (2), brief (1), lesser (1), little (6), minor (2), small (22), smallest one (1 ... /hebrew/6996b.htm - 5k <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm">6996. qatan -- small, young, unimportant</a> ... kaw-tawn') Short Definition: least. least, lesser, little one, smallest, one, quantity, thing, younger, Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from ... /hebrew/6996.htm - 5k<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><a href="/library/augustine/on_christian_doctrine_in_four_books/chapter_34_nor_is_it.htm">Nor is it to the Point to Say that the Very Smallest and Briefest. ...</a> ... Book 2 Chapter 34. Nor is it to the point to say that the very smallest and briefest? 34. Nor is it to the point to say that the ... /.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 34 nor is it.htm<a href="/library/law/an_humble_affectionate_and_earnest_address_to_the_clergy/address_201_0_0_look_now_at.htm">Look Now at Warring Christendom, what Smallest Drop of Pity ...</a> ... Address 201: Look now at warring Christendom, what smallest drop of pity towards sinners is to be? Look now at warring Christendom ... /.../address 201 0 0 look now at.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_h/feeding_in_the_ways.htm">Feeding in the Ways</a> ... Religion is meant to direct conduct, and the smallest affairs of life are to come under its imperial control, and the only way by which a man can get any good ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/feeding in the ways.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_k/sin_and_forgiveness.htm">Sin and Forgiveness</a> ... If a line be absolutely straight, and we are running another parallel to it, the smallest possible wavering is fatal to our copy. ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/sin and forgiveness.htm<a href="/library/leo/writings_of_leo_the_great/chapter_xxxiii_how_those_are.htm">How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent ...</a> ... xix.1). For he that neglects to bewail and avoid the smallest sins falls from the state of righteousness, not indeed suddenly, but bit by bit entirely. ... /.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiii how those are.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_the_acts/rhoda.htm">Rhoda</a> ... to insist that no heights or delights of devotion and secret communion are sufficient excuses for neglecting or delaying the doing of the smallest and most ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rhoda.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/the_tillage_of_the_poor.htm">The Tillage of the Poor</a> ... that responsibility does not diminish with the size of the gifts, but that there is as great responsibility for the use of the smallest as for the use of the ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the tillage of the poor.htm<a href="/library/kingsley/all_saints_day_and_other_sermons/sermon_xvi_the_glory_of.htm">The Glory of the Trinity</a> ... My friends, it is not in great things only, but in the very smallest, that the greatest glory of the ever blessed Trinity is seen. ... /.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xvi the glory of.htm<a href="/library/basil/basil_letters_and_select_works/letter_ccxxxvi_to_the_same.htm">Letter ccxxxvi. To the Same Amphilochius.</a> ... part He falls short, He is not an image of the whole; and how can we understand the Father not to have shewn that day and that hour"the smallest portion of ... /.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxxvi to the same.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/what_i_think_of_myself.htm">What I Think of Myself and what God Thinks of Me</a> ... honestly and rigidly, the test, 'Is this right or wrong?' 'He that is faithful in that which is least,' and conscientious down to the smallest things, 'is ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/what i think of myself.htm<a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/smallest.htm">Smallest (16 Occurrences)</a> ... Multi-Version Concordance Smallest (16 Occurrences). Matthew 5:18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away ... /s/smallest.htm - 11k<a href="/topical/j/jot.htm">Jot (1 Occurrence)</a> ... Or Iota, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, used metaphorically or proverbially for the smallest thing (Matthew 5:18); or it may be = yod, which is the ... /j/jot.htm - 8k<a href="/topical/l/least.htm">Least (76 Occurrences)</a> ... 1. (a.) Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space. ... /l/least.htm - 31k<a href="/topical/l/log.htm">Log (12 Occurrences)</a> ... Easton's Bible Dictionary The smallest measure for liquids used by the Hebrews (Leviticus 14:10, 12, 15, 21, 24), called in the Vulgate sextarius. ... /l/log.htm - 11k<a href="/topical/l/letter.htm">Letter (112 Occurrences)</a> ... Matthew 5:18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away ... /l/letter.htm - 40k<a href="/topical/g/gerah.htm">Gerah (1 Occurrence)</a> ... A bean, probably of the carob tree, the smallest weight, and also the smallest piece of money, among the Hebrews, equal to the twentieth part of a shekel ... /g/gerah.htm - 7k<a href="/topical/d/drop.htm">Drop (32 Occurrences)</a> ... 1. (n.) The quantity of fluid which falls in one small spherical mass; a liquid globule; a minim; hence, also, the smallest easily measured portion of a fluid ... /d/drop.htm - 20k<a href="/topical/d/designed.htm">Designed (14 Occurrences)</a> ... of the Lord which he has made against Edom, and to his purposes designed against the people of Teman: Truly, they will be pulled away by the smallest of the ... /d/designed.htm - 11k<a href="/topical/d/detail.htm">Detail (19 Occurrences)</a> ... Matthew 5:18 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or smallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has taken place. ... /d/detail.htm - 12k<a href="/topical/m/mite.htm">Mite (1 Occurrence)</a> ... Contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word lepton, the very smallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; 21:2). Two mites ... /m/mite.htm - 8k<a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/jot-tittle.html">What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/abolish-fulfill-law.html">What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/tribe-of-Benjamin.html">What can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="https://clyx.com/term/smallest.htm">Smallest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a> <a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div>Smallest (16 Occurrences)<a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Matthew 5:18</a> For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. (WEB WEY BBE NAS NIV)<a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Matthew 5:19</a> Whoever then goes against the smallest of these laws, teaching men to do the same, will be named least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who keeps the laws, teaching others to keep them, will be named great in the kingdom of heaven. (BBE)<a href="/matthew/13-32.htm">Matthew 13:32</a> It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in its branches." (WEY RSV NIV)<a href="/mark/4-31.htm">Mark 4:31</a> It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the earth, is the smallest of all the seeds in the world; (WEY RSV NIV)<a href="/luke/16-17.htm">Luke 16:17</a> But it is easier for earth and sky to pass away than for one smallest detail of the Law to fall to the ground. (WEY BBE)<a href="/acts/8-10.htm">Acts 8:10</a> To whom they all gave attention, from the smallest to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is named Great. (BBE NAS)<a href="/1_corinthians/4-3.htm">1 Corinthians 4:3</a> But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself. (DBY)<a href="/1_corinthians/6-2.htm">1 Corinthians 6:2</a> Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS)<a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Genesis 19:11</a> And they smote the men that were at the entrance of the house with blindness, from the smallest to the greatest; and they wearied themselves to find the entrance. (DBY)<a href="/numbers/11-32.htm">Numbers 11:32</a> And all that day and all night and the day after, the people were taking up the birds; the smallest amount which anyone got was ten homers: and they put them out all round the tents. (BBE)<a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:7</a> The Lord did not give you his love or take you for himself because you were more in number than any other people; for you were the smallest of the nations: (BBE)<a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a> Saul answered, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)<a href="/isaiah/60-22.htm">Isaiah 60:22</a> The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time. (See JPS BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/jeremiah/49-20.htm">Jeremiah 49:20</a> For this cause give ear to the decision of the Lord which he has made against Edom, and to his purposes designed against the people of Teman: Truly, they will be pulled away by the smallest of the flock; truly, he will make waste their fields with them. (BBE)<a href="/jeremiah/50-45.htm">Jeremiah 50:45</a> So give ear to the decision of the Lord which he has made against Babylon, and to his purposes designed against the land of the Chaldaeans; Truly, they will be pulled away by the smallest of the flock; truly, he will make waste their fields with them. (BBE)<a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Amos 9:9</a> For see, I will give orders, and I will have Israel moved about among all the nations, as grain is moved about by the shaking of the tray, but not the smallest seed will be dropped on the earth. (BBE)<a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><a href="/topical/s/smallest.htm">Smallest</a><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><a href="/topical/s/smallest.htm">Smallest (16 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/s/smaragdus.htm">Smaragdus (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/smaller.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Smaller"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Smaller" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/smaragd.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Smaragd"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Smaragd" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>