Bible Encyclopedia: Earnest

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

EARNEST

ur'-nest (arrhabon):

Found three times in the New Testament: The "earnest of our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:14); "the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5).

It has an equivalent in Hebrew `erabhon (found in Genesis 38:17, 18, 20), in Latin arrabo, French arrhes and the Old English arles. The term is mercantile and comes originally from the Phoenicians. Its general meaning is that of a pledge or token given as the assurance of the fulfillment of a bargain or promise. It also carries with it the idea of forfeit, such as is now common in land deals, only from the obverse side. In other words, the one promising to convey property, wages or blessing binds the promise with an advance gift or pledge partaking of the quality of the benefit to be bestowed. If the agreement be about wages, then a part of the wages is advanced; if it be about land, then a clod given to the purchaser or beneficiary may stand as the pledge of final and complete conveyance of the property.

Figurative: In the spiritual sense, as used in the passages above named, the reference is to the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts being a token and pledge of a perfect redemption and a heavenly inheritance. There is more than the idea of security in the word as used, for it clearly implies the continuity and identity of the blessing.

C. E. Schenk

EAST GATE

See GATE, EAST.

EPHRAIM, GATE OF

See JERUSALEM.

FISH GATE

See JERUSALEM.

FOUNTAIN GATE

See JERUSALEM.

GATE, CORNER, FOUNTAIN, HORSE, SUR

See JERUSALEM.

HORSE GATE

See JERUSALEM.

OLD GATE

See JERUSALEM.

SUN GATE

See EAST GATE.

Greek

728. arrabon -- an earnest (a part payment in advance for security ...
... an earnest (a part payment in advance for security). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: arrabon Phonetic Spelling: (ar-hrab-ohn') Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/728.htm - 7k

1618. ektenes -- stretched, fig. zealous, earnest
... zealous, earnest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ektenes Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-ten-ace') Short Definition: intent, constant, strenuous, intense ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1618.htm - 7k

4705. spoudaios -- hasty, eager, diligent
... eager, diligent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: spoudaios Phonetic Spelling:
(spoo-dah'-yos) Short Definition: diligent, earnest Definition: diligent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4705.htm - 6k

603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy
... of apo, kara (the head) and dokeo Definition strained expectancy NASB Word Usage
anxious longing (1), earnest expectation (1). earnest expectation. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/603.htm - 8k

1972. epipothesis -- longing
... Cognate: 1972 -- earnest (yearning) affection. See 1971 (). ... earnest desire. From
epipotheo; a longing for -- earnest (vehement) desire. see GREEK epipotheo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1972.htm - 6k

2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot
... be (literally "boiling" with interest or desire); "to be deeply committed to something,
with the implication of accompanying desire -- 'to be earnest, to set ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2204.htm - 7k

1974. epipothia -- longing
... Cognate: 1974 -- earnest (yearning) affection. See 1971 (). Word Origin from epipotheo
Definition longing NASB Word Usage longing (1). great desire. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1974.htm - 6k

4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... From pros and kartereo; to be earnest towards, ie (to a thing) to persevere, be
constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4342.htm - 8k

1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... in want," see also 1162 , "felt-need") -- properly, to because of lack -- hence,
to ; to have deep personal need causing one to (make earnest, specific request ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189.htm - 7k

4704. spoudazo -- to make haste, hence to give diligence
... be eager, hasten. From spoude; to use speed, ie To make effort, be prompt or earnest --
do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4704.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

8085. shama -- to hear
... announce (2), announced (3), announces (3), completely (1), comprehends (1), diligently
(1), discern (1), disregarded* (1), gave heed (2), give earnest heed (1 ...
/hebrew/8085.htm - 7k

3855. Lahad -- a man of Judah
... Lahad. From an unused root meaning to glow (compare lahab) or else to be earnest
(compare lahag); Lahad, an Israelite -- Lahad. see HEBREW lahab. ...
/hebrew/3855.htm - 6k

2743. Charuts -- grandfather of King Amon
... Haruz. The same as charuwts; earnest; Charuts, an Israelite -- Haruz. see HEBREW
charuwts. 2742d, 2743. Charuts. 2744 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2743.htm - 6k

8469. tachanun -- supplication for favor
... Tehinnah. Or (feminine) tachanuwnah {takh-an-oo-naw'}; from chanan; earnest prayer --
intreaty, supplication. see HEBREW chanan. 8468, 8469. tachanun. 8470 > ...
/hebrew/8469.htm - 6k

Library

An Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy
An Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy. <. An Humble,
Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy William Law. ...
/.../law/an humble affectionate and earnest address to the clergy/

The Earnest and the Inheritance
... EPHESIANS THE EARNEST AND THE INHERITANCE. 'The earnest of our inheritance, until
the redemption of the purchased possession.'"Ephesians 1:14. ...
/.../the earnest and the inheritance.htm

Seal and Earnest
... CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) SEAL AND EARNEST. 'Who hath also sealed
us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.'"2 Corinthians 1:23. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/seal and earnest.htm

An Earnest Invitation
... An Earnest Invitation. A Sermon (No.260). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, July 3rd,
1859, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm

November 12. "The Earnest of the Spirit in Our Hearts" (ii. Cor. I ...
... NOVEMBER 12. "The earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (II. Cor. i. 22). "The earnest
of the Spirit in our hearts" (II. Cor. i.22). Life in earnest. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 12 the earnest of.htm

Anxious About Earth, or Earnest About the Kingdom
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII ANXIOUS ABOUT EARTH, OR EARNEST ABOUT
THE KINGDOM. 'And He said unto His disciples, Therefore ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/anxious about earth or earnest.htm

And God Himself, as an Earnest of Future Reward...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter VI. And
God himself, as an earnest of future reward� 1. And God ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi and god himself.htm

Christ the Best Husband: or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women ...
... Christ the Best Husband: Or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women to Come
and See Christ. This psalm is called the song of loves, the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the best husband or.htm

An Earnest Exhortation to Worship God.
... Book II. Chapter XLII."An Earnest Exhortation to worship God. "And now, since
it appears by the clearest and most convincing evidence ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xlii an earnest exhortation to.htm

Origen's Earnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
... Book VI. Chapter XVI."Origen's Earnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
1. So earnest and assiduous was Origen's research into ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvi origens earnest study of.htm

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in Genesis 38:17-20; "indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages, probably through commercial dealings with the Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days. Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is joined with the figure of a seal when applied to the Spirit, it seems to be used by Paul in this specific sense." The Spirit's gracious presence and working in believers is a foretaste to them of the blessedness of heaven. God is graciously pleased to give not only pledges but foretastes of future blessedness.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Sincere; purposeful; ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.

2. (n.) Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

3. (a.) Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.

4. (a.) Serious; important.

5. (v. t.) To use in earnest.

6. (n.) Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.

7. (n.) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.

Thesaurus

Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Corinthians
1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). ... 5. (vt) To use in earnest. ...
/e/earnest.htm - 20k

Forward (252 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is
proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years. ...
/f/forward.htm - 42k

Carefulness (6 Occurrences)
... with the flavor of earnestness added from the original Teutonic meaning of the word
care, we have the translation of spoude, "speed," "earnest care." "What ...
/c/carefulness.htm - 17k

Careful (130 Occurrences)
... with the flavor of earnestness added from the original Teutonic meaning of the word
care, we have the translation of spoude, "speed," "earnest care." "What ...
/c/careful.htm - 44k

Fervent (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Ardent; earnest; full of zeal; burning. 2.
(a.) Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer. Int. ...
/f/fervent.htm - 11k

Forwardness (2 Occurrences)
... ago"; the King James Version margin (Greek) "willing," the Revised Version (British
and American) "to will"); of spoudaios, "speedy," "earnest" (2 Corinthians 8 ...
/f/forwardness.htm - 13k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... The first discourse (1-4:40) recapitulates the chief events of the last forty years
in the wilderness, with earnest exhortations to obedience to the divine ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... An earnest temper; may be enlightened (Numbers 25:11-13; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 9:2),
or ignorant and misdirected (Romans 10:2; Philippians 3:6). As a Christian ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Long. 2. (n.) An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; an earnest
wish; an aspiration. Multi-Version Concordance Longing (40 Occurrences). ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Intense (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Strained; tightly drawn; kept on the stretch; strict; very close or
earnest; as, intense study or application; intense thought. ...
/i/intense.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance

Earnest (33 Occurrences)

Acts 1:14 All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
(WEY)

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
(Root in ASV RSV NIV)

Acts 24:16 This too is my own earnest endeavour--always to have a clear conscience in relation to God and man.
(WEY)

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Romans 11:7 How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened.
(WEY NIV)

Romans 12:12 full of joyful hope, patient under persecution, earnest and persistent in prayer.
(WEY WBS)

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
(KJV WBS)

2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
(WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 7:12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.
(WEB WEY ASV NAS)

2 Corinthians 8:4 With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people.
(WEY RSV)

2 Corinthians 8:12 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

2 Corinthians 8:17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
(WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV)

2 Corinthians 8:22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
(WEB ASV RSV)

2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour.
(WEY)

Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Philippians 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Philippians 1:23 I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better.
(WEY)

Philippians 4:6 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made known in the presence of God.
(WEY)

Colossians 1:29 To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within me.
(WEY)

Colossians 4:2 Be earnest and unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it and in your giving of thanks.
(WEY)

1 Thessalonians 2:2 but, having suffered before and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the glad tidings of God with much earnest striving.
(DBY)

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,
(YLT)

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
(KJV WEY ASV WBS)

Hebrews 4:11 Let it then be our earnest endeavour to be admitted to that rest, so that no one may perish through following the same example of unbelief.
(WEY)

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
(WEB YLT)

2 Peter 1:10 For this reason, brethren, be all the more in earnest to make sure that God has called you and chosen you; for it is certain that so long as you practise these things, you will never stumble.
(WEY)

Revelation 3:19 All whom I hold dear, I reprove and chastise; therefore be in earnest and repent.
(WEY NIV)

Exodus 15:26 and He said: 'If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians; for I am the LORD that healeth thee.'
(See NAS)

Proverbs 11:27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him.
(DBY YLT)

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
(WEB NIV)

Subtopics

Earnest

Earnest: A Pledge or Token

Related Terms

Forward (252 Occurrences)

Carefulness (6 Occurrences)

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Fervent (10 Occurrences)

Forwardness (2 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)