Many
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
"much, many, great," is used especially of number when its significance is "many," e.g., Matthew 8:30; 9:10; 13:17; so the RV of Matthew 12:15 , where some mss. follow the word by ochloi, "multitudes;" 1—Corinthians 12:12; Revelation 1:15; it is more frequently used as a noun, "many (persons)," e.g., Matthew 3:7; 7:22; 22:14; with the article, "the many," e.g., Matthew 24:12 , RV; Mark 9:26 , RV, "the more part" (AV "many"); Romans 5:15,19 (twice), RV; Romans 12:5; 1—Corinthians 10:17; 10:33 , RV; so 2—Corinthians 2:17; in 1—Corinthians 11:30 , RV, "not a few." In Luke 12:47 it is translated "many stripes," the noun being understood. See Great , Much.
Luke 23:8Rv. Mark 6:20 Galatians 4:27 John 7:40
"more, greater," the comparative of No. 1, is translated "many" in Acts 2:40; 13:31; 21:10; 24:17; 25:14; 27:20; 28:23 (Av; Rv "in great number"); with the article, "most," RV (or rather, "the more part"), Acts 19:32; 1—Corinthians 10:5 , and Philippians 1:14 (for AV, "many," an important change); in 2—Corinthians 2:6 , RV, "the many" (marg., "the more"); so 2—Corinthians 4:15; in 2—Corinthians 9:2 , "very many" (marg., "the more part"); in Hebrews 7:23 , RV, "many in number" (AV, "many"). See Greater , More.
"sufficient," when used of number sometimes signifies "many," suggesting a sufficient number, (a) with nouns, Luke 8:32; 23:9; Acts 9:23,43; 20:8; 27:7; (b) absolutely, some noun being understood, e.g., Acts 12:12; 14:21; 19:19; 1—Corinthians 11:30 . See Able , C, No. 2.
"how much, how many, how great, as much as, as many as," is translated "as many as," e.g., in Matthew 14:36; Mark 3:10; Luke 9:5 , RV (AV, "whosoever"); Acts 2:39; in Acts 9:16 , RV, "how many things" (AV, "how great things"); in Romans 6:3 the RV renders it by "all we who" (AV, "so many of us as"), a necessary alteration, not singling out some believers from others, as if some were not baptized, but implying what was recognized as true of all (see Acts 18:8 ); in 2—Corinthians 1:20 , Rv , "how many soever be" (AV, "all"). See All , C.
"how much, how great, how many," has the last meaning in Matthew 15:34; 16:9,10; 27:13 ("how many things"); Mark 6:38; 8:5,19,20; 15:4 ("how many things"); Luke 15:17; Acts 21:20 . See Great.
"so great, so much, so many," (a) qualifying a noun, is rendered "these many (years)" in Luke 15:29; "so many," John 12:37; 1—Corinthians 14:10; (b) without a noun, John 6:9; 21:11; Galatians 3:4 , "so many things." See Great.
John 17:2
King James Dictionary [2]
MANY, a. men'ny.
1. Numerous comprising a great number of individuals.
Thou shalt be a father of many nations. Genesis 17
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1
Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 34
It is often preceded by as or so, and followed by so, indicating an equal number.
As many books as you take, so many shall be charged to your account.
So many laws argue so many sins.
It is followed by as.
As many as were willing-hearted brought bracelets. Exodus 34
It precedes an or a, before a noun in the singular number.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene.
2. In low language, preceded by too, it denotes powerful or much as, they are too many for us.
MANY, n. men'ny. A multitude a great number of individuals the people.
O thou fond many.
The vulgar and the many are fit only to be led or driven.
MANY, n. men'ny. A retinue of servants household.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) A retinue of servants; a household.
(2): ( a. / pron.) Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.
(3): ( a.) The populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a community.
(4): ( a.) A large or considerable number.
