{
  "id": "dict_003826",
  "term": "Multitude",
  "slug": "multitude",
  "letter": "M",
  "entry_type": "general_biblical_word",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "“Multitude” is a general Bible word for a large crowd or a great number of people. It is descriptive language, not a distinct doctrine.",
  "simple_one_line": "A multitude is a large crowd or many people gathered together.",
  "tooltip_text": "A descriptive Bible word for a large number of people or things; meaning depends on context.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "crowd",
    "people",
    "nation",
    "assembly",
    "remnant",
    "144,000"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "crowd",
    "congregation",
    "assembly",
    "people of God",
    "144,000"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "In Scripture, “multitude” usually refers to a large crowd, a great assembly, or a very large number of people. The term is important for reading the setting of a passage, but by itself it is not a technical theological doctrine.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A multitude is a large group or crowd, often used in Bible narratives, worship scenes, or apocalyptic visions.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Common descriptive Bible word",
    "Meaning depends on context",
    "Used for crowds, assemblies, armies, and redeemed peoples",
    "Not a doctrine in itself"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "In Scripture, “multitude” usually refers to a large group of people, whether a crowd, an assembly, or a great company. The word often helps describe the setting of an event, but it does not by itself name a specific theological concept.",
  "description_academic_full": "“Multitude” is an ordinary descriptive term in the Bible for a large number of people or, less often, a large quantity. It appears in narrative, poetic, and apocalyptic settings to describe crowds around Jesus, gathered assemblies, armies, or great companies in worship and judgment. The theological significance lies in the context, not in the word itself. For that reason, the entry is best treated as a general biblical word rather than a distinct doctrinal category.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The Gospels often speak of multitudes gathering around Jesus for teaching, healing, and hearing the kingdom message. Acts uses similar language for public gatherings and the growth of the early church. Revelation also uses multitude language for great heavenly assemblies and the redeemed people of God.",
  "background_historical_context": "In the ancient world, large public gatherings were common in city life, religious festivals, markets, and political assemblies. Bible writers used everyday language for these settings, so “multitude” normally carries a straightforward, concrete sense rather than a specialized technical one.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In Jewish Scripture and Second Temple settings, large assemblies could describe Israel gathered for worship, covenant renewal, war, mourning, or hearing God’s word. The term fits the Bible’s frequent use of corporate imagery for God’s people and for the nations.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Matthew 4:25",
    "Matthew 5:1",
    "Mark 3:7-9",
    "Acts 2:6",
    "Revelation 7:9"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Luke 6:17",
    "Acts 14:11",
    "Revelation 19:1"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "English “multitude” may translate Hebrew or Greek words that simply mean a large crowd, company, assembly, or many people. The exact nuance depends on the passage and the underlying term.",
  "theological_significance": "The word itself is not a doctrine, but the contexts in which it appears can be theologically important: multitudes may respond to Jesus in faith, oppose God’s purposes, or stand before the throne in worship. The term often highlights the reach of God’s work among many people.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a semantic category, “multitude” is count language rather than concept language. It names quantity and crowd-size, while the moral or theological meaning must be supplied by the surrounding text.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not build doctrine from the word alone. Always ask who the multitude is, where it appears, and whether the context is positive, negative, or neutral. In Revelation especially, the term is symbolic only insofar as the passage itself indicates symbolism.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters treat “multitude” as a plain descriptive term whose meaning is controlled by context. Differences arise from the passage, not from the word itself.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "The word “multitude” does not, by itself, establish doctrine about salvation, election, the church, Israel, or end-times events. Those questions must be decided from the broader passage and the whole counsel of Scripture.",
  "practical_significance": "The term reminds readers to notice the size, scope, and setting of biblical events. It also encourages careful reading of context so that a crowd, assembly, or heavenly company is interpreted accurately.",
  "meta_description": "Bible dictionary entry for Multitude: a general term for a large crowd or great number of people, with meaning determined by context.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/multitude/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/multitude.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}