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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Abound; Abundance; Abundant; Abundantly
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a-bound´, a-bun´dans, a-bun´dant, a-bun´dant-li: These words represent in the English Versions of the Bible a considerable variety of different words in the Hebrew and Greek original. In the Old Testament they most frequently stand for some form of the stem raÌ„bh, signifying “to cast together,†“to increase.†In the primary idea is “to be heavy†(root: kaÌ„bhadh); in and it is “to overflow†shaÌ„pha‛; in it is “to plait together,†“to augment,†“to multiply†(makhbı̄r from kaÌ„-bhar); in it is “strength†‛ocmaÌ„h; in it is “tumult,†“crowd†haÌ„moÌ„n; in it is “to fill to satiety†(Revised Version (British and American) “fulnessâ€); in it is “excellence†yithraÌ„h and in “a full breast†zı̄z; in it is “copiousness†(‛ăthereth from ‛aÌ„thar). In several passages (e.g. ; ; ) the Revised Version (British and American) gives other and better renderings than the King James Version. In the New Testament perissoÌs, perisseuÌoÌ„, perisseıÌa, etc., are the usual words for “abundant,†“abound,†“abundance,†etc. (the adjective signifies “exceeding some number or measureâ€). A slight formal difference of conception may be noted in pleonaÌzoÌ„, which suggests that the abundance has resulted from augmentation. In the two words stand in the closest connection: 'Where sin abounded (by its increase) grace abounded more exceedingly (was rich beyond measure).' In ; ; ; ; the Revised Version (British and American) gives improved renderings instead of “abundance,†and in and instead of “abundantly.â€