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 rabh, signifying "to cast together," "to increase." In Proverbs 8:24 the primary idea is "to be heavy" (root: kabhadh); in Deuteronomy 33:19 and Job 22:11 it is "to overflow" shapha`; in Job 36:31 it is "to plait together," "to augment," "to multiply" (makhbir from ka-bhar); in Isaiah 47:9 it is "strength" `otsmah; in 1 Kings 18:41 it is "tumult," "crowd" hamon; in Ecclesiastes 5:12 it is "to fill to satiety" (Revised Version (British and American) "fulness"); in Isaiah 15:7 it is "excellence" yithrah and in Isaiah 66:11 "a full breast" ziz; in Jeremiah 33:6 it is "copiousness" (`athereth from `athar). In several passages (e.g. Ezekiel 16:49; Psalms 105:30; Isaiah 56:12) the Revised Version (British and American) gives other and better renderings than the King James Version. In the New Testament perissos, perisseuo, perisseia, etc., are the usual words for "abundant," "abound," "abundance," etc. (the adjective signifies "exceeding some number or measure"). A slight formal difference of conception may be noted in pleonazo, which suggests that the abundance has resulted from augmentation. In Romans 5:20 the two words stand in the closest connection: `Where sin abounded (by its increase) grace abounded more exceedingly (was rich beyond measure).' In Mark 12:44; Luke 21:4; 2 Corinthians 8:20; 12:7; Revelation 18:3 the Revised Version (British and American) gives improved renderings instead of "abundance," and in Titus 3:6 and 2 Peter 1:11 instead of "abundantly."

J. R. Van Pelt

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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