elachistos marks what is smallest in scale or lowest in standing, from minor matters to those called least.

The term most often marks something small in scale, amount, or importance, including courts, a rudder, a task, and matters of faithfulness. It also describes persons or groups as lowest in standing and, in one contrast, a place described in relation to Judah’s rulers.

1. Small in scale, amount, or importance · dominant

   Neuter forms occur with matters and things: in 1 Corinthians 6:2 the APB renders the clause “the smallest courts,” and in James 3:4 it describes a “very small rudder” turning large ships. In Luke 12:26, Luke 16:10, and Luke 19:17, the clause concerns the least thing or faithfulness in a very little matter.

   1 Corinthians 6:2James 3:4Luke 12:26Luke 16:10Luke 19:171 Corinthians 4:3
2. Lowest standing among persons or groups · common

   Masculine forms describe persons in comparative standing: in 1 Corinthians 15:9 the speaker identifies himself as “the least of the apostles,” while Ephesians 3:8 places the speaker below “all the holy ones.” In Matthew 25:40 and Matthew 25:45, the plural form identifies “these brothers of mine, the least” in clauses about acts done or withheld.

   1 Corinthians 15:9Ephesians 3:8Matthew 25:40Matthew 25:45Matthew 5:19
3. Lowest-ranked place in a stated comparison · rare

   In Matthew 2:6, the feminine singular form occurs in a statement that Bethlehem is “by no means least among the rulers of Judah,” using the term within a comparison of the place to those rulers.

   Matthew 2:6

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB uses “least,” “smallest,” “very small,” and “very little” in the surrounding clauses. These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent for every occurrence.