ἐλαττόω

ἐλαττόω (fr. ἐλαχύς via ἐλάσσων) fut. ἐλαττώσω LXX; 1 aor. ἠλάττωσα. Pass. ἐλαττωθήσομαι LXX; aor. ἠλαττώθην LXX; pf. ptc. ἠλαττωμένος (Thu.+; ins, pap, LXX; TestSol 18:11 PL; TestLevi 18:9; EpArist, Philo, Joseph., Just., Tat.; Ath., R. 58, 27; the pass. predominates, s. 2 and 3 below)

① to cause to be lower in status, make lower, inferior (Jos., C. Ap. 2, 202) τινά someone, παρά w. acc. shows the pers. or thing in comparison w. whom, or w. what, the subj. is made inferior (cp. for grammar PTebt 19, 11 [114 B.C.] σὺ δὲ ὀρθῶς ποιήσεις τὸ προσάγγελμα μὴ ἐλαττώσας παρὰ τὸ πρῶτον=you will do right in not diminishing the report relative to the first) Hb 2:7, 9 (both Ps 8:6).

② to be in possession of less relative to another, be worse off, be in need, pass. (1 Km 2:5; 21:15; 2 Km 3:29; Ps 33:11 al.) 2 Cor 12:13 v.l.; Dg 10:6.

③ to become less important, diminish, become less, pass. intr. sense (Peripl. Eryth. c. 45; Philo, Leg. All. 2, 3, Virt. 46, Gig. 27, Aet. M. 65; 120; Jos., Ant. 7, 31. Of persons: Thu. 4, 59, 2; OGI 139, 10 [II B.C.]; PTebt 382, 13 [I B.C.]; TestLevi 18:9 ὁ Ἰσραήλ) J 3:30 (opp. αὐξάνω q.v.; perh. the diminution of light is spec. in mind here: Cass. Dio 45, 17: τὸ φῶς τοῦ ἡλίου ἐλαττοῦσθαί τε καὶ σβέννυσθαι ἐδόκει).—M-M. Spicq.