How Much More

How Much More?

The phrase "how much more" is identified as a Hebraism due to its frequent occurrence in the Bible.

Hebraisms are linguistic features or expressions derived from the Hebrew language.

In Hebrew, the phrase "how much more" emphasizes a point or draws a comparison. It's a rhetorical device employed to highlight the significance or magnitude of something by comparing it to something else.

One notable example of the use of "how much more" in the Hebrew Bible is in Deuteronomy, where it reflects the influence of Hebrew thought patterns and rhetorical style. For instance, Moses says:

Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck:

behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD;

and how much more after my death?

(See Bible Hub Translations of Deuteronomy 31:27)

2 Nephi 13:7
And now if the Lamb of God,

   He being holy,

      Should have need to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness,

O then, how much more need have we,

   Being unholy,

   To be baptized,

      yea, even by water.
(LDS: 2 Nephi 31:5)

(Note the complexity: Contains Rhetorical question, parallelism, antithetical parallelism (Jesus/Us; Holy/Unholy), ends in Epistrophe)

Jacob 2:58
And their unbelief and their hatred toward you is because of the iniquity of their fathers;

Wherefore, how much better are you than they in the sight of your great Creator?
(LDS: Jacob 3:7)

Mosiah 2:37
And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance,

   That he perish not,

   And condemn him,

How much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance

   Which doth not belong to you,

   But to God to whom also your life belongeth?
(LDS: Mosiah 4:22)

Mosiah 3:17
For how knoweth a man the master which he hath not served

   And which is a stranger unto him

   And is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
(LDS: Mosiah 5:13)

Mosiah 13:22
For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed.

Yea, and what great destruction.
(LDS: Mosiah 29:17)

Alma 16:141
And now how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not,

   Than he that only believeth,

   Or only hath cause to believe,

   And falleth into transgression?

Now of this thing ye must judge.
(LDS: Alma 32:20)

Alma 19:99
Now how could a man repent,

   Except he should sin?

How could he sin,

   If there was no law?

How could there be a law,

   Save there was a punishment?
(LDS: Alma 42:17)
(Note the complexity: Contains Rhetorical question, Anadiplosis, Staircase parallelism )

3 Nephi 6:23
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,

How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him.
(LDS: 3 Nephi 14:11)

Moroni 9:12
O my beloved son, how can a people like this that are without civilization.

 And only a few years have passed away and they were a civil and a delightsome people.

But O my son, how can a people like this, whose delight is in so much abomination.

How can we expect that God will stay His hand in judgment against us?
(LDS: Moroni 9:14)