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# multitude

noun (a multitude, multitudes)

«multitude» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A multitude is a very large number of things or people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#m1)
2. (formal, Bible) The multitude means a huge crowd of people; or ordinary people in general. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#m2)

### In the lessons

In formal writing: «a multitude of reasons», «a multitude of colours». In Bible stories: Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. Phrase: «cover a multitude of sins» means hide many faults.

### Examples

- There is a multitude of stars in the night sky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x1)
- The coral reef is home to a multitude of fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x2)
- Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x3)
- We had a multitude of reasons to be happy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x4)
- Multitudes gathered to hear him speak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x5)
- A big coat can cover a multitude of sins. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x6)
- A sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/#x7)

### Note

Formal word; everyday: lots, loads, a huge number. «A multitude of» + plural noun. In maths it does not give an exact number; it just means very many.

## In Jewish tradition

Joel's "multitudes in the valley of decision" pictures nations gathered for God's judgment. Hosea speaks of the multitude of sins.

**Interpretation.** Abraham's being father of a multitude of nations is read as the reason his name was changed from Abram to Abraham.

### Examples

- And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (Torah EXO.12.38, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x1)
- 'As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. (Torah GEN.17.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x2)
- the LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. — (Torah DEU.1.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x3)
- Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! (Prophets JOL.4.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x4)
- Should not the multitude of words be answered? (Writings JOB.11.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x5)
- For the multitude of thine iniquity, the enmity is great. (Prophets HOS.9.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/#x6)

### Note

Formal word; everyday: lots, loads, a huge number. «A multitude of» + plural noun. In maths it does not give an exact number; it just means very many.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «multitude» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/multitude/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«multitude» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/multitude.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «multitude» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/multitude/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«multitude» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/multitude.html) on Mova free.