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." InPr 8:24the primary idea is "to be heavy" (root: kabhadh); inDe 33:19andJob 22:11it is "to overflow" shapha`; inJob 36:31it is "to plait together," "to augment," "to multiply" (makhbir from ka- bhar); inIsa 47:9it is "strength" `otsmah; in1Ki 18:41it is "tumult," "crowd" hamon; inEc 5:12it is "to fill to satiety" (Revised Version (British and American) "fulness"); inIsa 15:7it is "excellence" yithrah and inIsa 66:11"a full breast" ziz; inJer 33:6it is "copiousness" (`athereth from `athar). In several passages (e.g.Eze 16:49;Ps 105:30;Isa 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. InRo 5:20the two words stand in the closest connection: `Where sin abounded (by its increase) grace abounded more exceedingly (was rich beyond measure).' InMr 12:44;Lu 21:4;2Co 8:20;12:7;Re 18:3the Revised Version (British and American) gives improved renderings instead of "abundance," and in Titus 3:6 and2Pe 1:11instead of "abundantly."
J. R. Van Pelt