Contend
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. i.) To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

2. (v. i.) To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

3. (v. i.) To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

4. (v. t.) To struggle for; to contest.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONTEND; CONTENTION

kon-tend', kon-ten'-shun: The meeting of effort by effort, striving against opposition; sometimes physically, as in battle (Deuteronomy 2:9), or with horses (Jeremiah 12:5), sometimes orally (Nehemiah 13:11), sometimes spiritually (Isaiah 57:16). In the New Testament diakrinein, for the hostile separation of one from another, dispute (Jude 1:9), or epagonizomai (Jude 1:3), descriptive of the strain to which a contestant is put. The noun is almost universally used with an unfavorable meaning, and as worthy of condemnation, for an altercation arising from a quarrelsome disposition. "By pride cometh only contention" (Proverbs 13:10). The contentions at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:11) called forth the rebukes of Paul. Where used in the King James Version in a good sense (1 Thessalonians 2:2) the Revised Version (British and American) has "conflict." In Acts 15:39, the noun has a peculiar force, where English Versions of the Bible translates paroxusmos (whence English "paroxysm") by "sharp contention." The Greek word refers rather to the inner excitement and irritation than to its outward expression.

H. E. Jacobs

Greek
1864. epagonizomai -- to contend with or for
... to contend with or for. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epagonizomai Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I contend earnestly for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1864.htm - 7k

75. agonizomai -- to contend for a prize, struggle
... to contend for a prize, struggle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: agonizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I strive, contend ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/75.htm - 7k

118. athleo -- to contend, wrestle
... to contend, wrestle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: athleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ath-leh'-o) Short Definition: I compete Definition: I engage, compete, in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/118.htm - 6k

2051. erizo -- to wrangle, strive
... to wrangle, strive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erizo Phonetic Spelling:
(er-id'-zo) Short Definition: I contend, dispute Definition: I contend ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2051.htm - 6k

3054. logomacheo -- to strive with words
... to strive with words. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: logomacheo Phonetic
Spelling: (log-om-akh-eh'-o) Short Definition: I contend about words Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3054.htm - 6k

4754. strateuo -- to make war, hence to serve as a soldier
... lusts against the soul. 4754 -- properly, to contend, like a soldier in ;
(figuratively) to engage in . Word Origin from stratos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4754.htm - 7k

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... issue (1), waver (1). contend, discern, doubt, judge, be partial. From
dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, ie (literally and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

4170. polemeo -- to make war
... to make war. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: polemeo Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-em-eh'-o) Short Definition: I make war, contend Definition: I make war ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4170.htm - 6k

1264. diamachomai -- to struggle against
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diamachomai Phonetic Spelling: (dee-am-akh'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I strive greatly, contend fiercely Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1264.htm - 6k

3164. machomai -- to fight
... Phonetic Spelling: (makh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I engage in battle, fight,
strive Definition: I engage in battle, fight; hence: I strive, contend, dispute ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3164.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... 7377, 7378. rib or rub. 7379 . to strive, contend. Transliteration: rib or
rub Phonetic Spelling: (reeb) Short Definition: contend. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7378.htm - 6k

3377. Yareb -- "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king
... 3376, 3377. Yareb. 3378 . "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king.
Transliteration: Yareb Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rabe') Short Definition: Jareb. ...
/hebrew/3377.htm - 6k

3380. Yerubbesheth -- "shame will contend," a name of Gideon
... "shame will contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbesheth Phonetic
Spelling: (yer-oob-beh'-sheth) Short Definition: Jerubbesheth. ...
/hebrew/3380.htm - 6k

3378. Yerubbaal -- "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon
... Yerubbaal. 3379 . "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbaal
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-oob-bah'-al) Short Definition: Jerubbaal. ...
/hebrew/3378.htm - 6k

6229. asaq -- to contend
... asaq. 6230 . to contend. Transliteration: asaq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-sak) Short
Definition: contended. ... root Definition to contend NASB Word Usage contended (1 ...
/hebrew/6229.htm - 6k

1624. garah -- to stir up (strife), engage in strife
... root Definition to stir up (strife), engage in strife NASB Word Usage contend (1),
engaged in conflict (1), mobilize (2), provoke (5), stirs (3), strive (1 ...
/hebrew/1624.htm - 6k

3401. yarib -- opponent, adversary
... 3400, 3401. yarib. 3402 . opponent, adversary. Transliteration: yarib
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rebe') Short Definition: contend. ...
/hebrew/3401.htm - 6k

7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Word Origin from rib Definition strife, dispute NASB Word Usage adversary (1), case
(11), cause (9), complaint (2), contend (1), contention (1), contentions (3 ...
/hebrew/7379.htm - 6k

8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... avenge, that condemn, contend, defend, execute judgment, be a judgment.
A primitive root; to judge, ie Pronounce sentence (for or ...
/hebrew/8199.htm - 6k

8474. tacharah -- habergeon
... habergeon A facitious root from charah through the idea of the heat of jealousy;
to vie with a rival -- close, contend. see HEBREW charah. 8473, 8474. ...
/hebrew/8474.htm - 5k

Library

To those who Contend that the Spirit Because He is Called the ...
... Book III. Chapter IV. To those who contend that the Spirit because He
is called the Finger is less? To those who contend that ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv to those who.htm

The Pelagians Contend that the Grace, which is Neither the Law nor ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 26."The Pelagians Contend that the Grace,
Which is Neither the Law Nor Nature, Avails Only to the Remission of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 the pelagians contend that.htm

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
... Disciples Contend for Precedence. ... They thought that Jesus was about to set up
his kingdom, and began at once to contend for the chief places. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvii preparation for passover disciples.htm

Come, Let us Hear How they Contend for victory: the Guilty Ones ...
... Hymn LIII. Come, let us hear how they contend for victory: the guilty ones
who never have conquered, nor will conquer. 1. Come, let ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn liii come let us.htm

In the Next Place, Celsus, after Referring to the Enthusiasm with ...
... Chapter XLVIII. In the next place, Celsus, after referring to the enthusiasm
with which men will contend? In the next place, Celsus ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii in the next 3.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... Ver.4. "Contend with your mother, contend; for she is not my wife, and I am not
her husband: and let her put away her whoredoms from her face, and her adultery ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Psalm LXV.
... For now while there begin in use the first-fruits of the mind, from whence is the
longing for Jerusalem, many things of corruptible flesh do contend against us ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Introduction.
... In the opposing influences with which John had to contend as a preacher of the Gospel,
properly understood, we shall see prefigured the very same which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/introduction.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... It is as if you were to contend that he would not be dead if a short time before
he had been alive, or as if it were not equally certain that he had first ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Love's Labours
... warn the most loving-hearted that they have entered upon a war for peace, a strife
for love: they are born to hate hatred, and to contend against contention. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Thesaurus
Contend (56 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To struggle for; to contest. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTEND;
CONTENTION. ... HE Jacobs. Multi-Version Concordance Contend (56 Occurrences). ...
/c/contend.htm - 24k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To strive or contend for victory, with armies or in single combat; to attempt
to defeat, subdue, or destroy an enemy, either by blows or weapons; to ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

Baal's (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him: 'Will ye contend
for Baal? or will ye save him? he that will contend...
/b/baal's.htm - 8k

Contended (24 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Contend. ... (DBY NIV). 2 Timothy 2:5 And if also a man contend in the
games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully. (ASV). ...
/c/contended.htm - 13k

Fights (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal? ...
He who will contend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning. ...
/f/fights.htm - 9k

Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal? ...
He who will contend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning. ...
/b/breaks.htm - 16k

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)
... RSV). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will you contend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause? ...
/b/ba'al.htm - 22k

Contends (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will you contend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause? ...
/c/contends.htm - 8k

Defend (38 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him, "Will you contend
for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause? ... My Lord, contend for me! (WEB). ...
/d/defend.htm - 17k

Pulled (84 Occurrences)
... RSV). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will you contend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause? ...
/p/pulled.htm - 33k

Resources
What does it mean to contend for the faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org

Contend: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Contend (56 Occurrences)

Matthew 12:19
He shall not contend, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
(WBS)

2 Timothy 2:5
And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.
(ASV DBY)

2 Timothy 2:14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
(WBS)

2 Timothy 2:24
And a bondman of the Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;
(DBY WBS)

Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 6:3
Yahweh said, "My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; yet will his days be one hundred twenty years."
(See NIV)

Genesis 26:22
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they did not contend: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
(WBS)

Genesis 45:24
So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said to them, See that ye contend not by the way.
(WBS)

Exodus 21:18
And if men contend, and one smite the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keep his bed;
(ASV JPS WBS YLT)

Exodus 21:22
If men shall contend, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit shall depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
(WBS)

Deuteronomy 2:5
don't contend with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on; because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:9
Yahweh said to me, "Don't bother Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you of his land for a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:19
and when you come near over against the children of Ammon, don't bother them, nor contend with them; for I will not give you of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession; because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession."
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:24
"Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon: behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 33:7
This is the blessing of Judah: and he said, "Hear, Yahweh, the voice of Judah. Bring him in to his people. With his hands he contended for himself. You shall be a help against his adversaries."
(Root in WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Judges 6:31
Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? He who will contend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has broken down his altar."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Judges 6:32
Therefore on that day he named him Jerub-Baal, saying, "Let Baal contend against him, because he has broken down his altar."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 2:10
Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. "Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."
(See NAS)

2 Samuel 22:27
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt contend.
(WBS)

2 Kings 14:10
Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thy heart has lifted thee up: boast thyself, and abide at home; for why shouldest thou contend with misfortune, that thou shouldest fall, thou, and Judah with thee?
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 25:19
Thou thinkest, Lo, thou hast smitten Edom; and thy heart has lifted thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou contend with misfortune, that thou shouldest fall, thou and Judah with thee?
(DBY)

Job 9:3
If he is pleased to contend with him, he can't answer him one time in a thousand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Job 10:2
I will tell God,'Do not condemn me. Show me why you contend with me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Job 13:8
Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Job 13:19
Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Job 23:6
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Job 33:13
Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?
(See RSV)

Job 40:2
"Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 18:26
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt contend.
(WBS)

Psalms 35:1
By David. Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 35:23
Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 103:9
He will not always chide; Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
(See JPS)

Psalms 127:5
Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 3:30
Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.
(See NAS RSV)

Proverbs 28:4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV)

Isaiah 3:13
Yahweh stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Isaiah 27:8
In measure, when you send them away, you contend with them. He has removed them with his rough blast in the day of the east wind.
(WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 41:11
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that contend with thee shall perish.
(WBS NAS)

Isaiah 41:12
You will seek them, and won't find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him that contendeth with his Maker! Let the potsherd contend with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
(Root in WBS)

Isaiah 49:25
But thus says Yahweh, "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 50:8
He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Isaiah 66:16
For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 2:9
Therefore I will yet contend with you, says Yahweh, and I will contend with your children's children.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 2:29
Why will you contend with me? You all have transgressed against me, says Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS)

Jeremiah 12:1
You are righteous, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet I would reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?
(WEB JPS ASV)

Jeremiah 12:5
If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Jeremiah 18:19
Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Daniel 11:40
At the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.
(WEB ASV)

Hosea 2:2
Contend with your mother! Contend, for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband; and let her put away her prostitution from her face, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
(WEB ASV NAS)

Hosea 4:4
Yet let no man contend, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that contend with the priest.
(WBS NAS RSV)

Amos 7:4
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Micah 6:1
Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Micah 6:2
Hear, you mountains, Yahweh's controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
(WEB ASV RSV)

Subtopics

Contend

Related Terms

Fight (265 Occurrences)

Baal's (6 Occurrences)

Contended (24 Occurrences)

Fights (9 Occurrences)

Breaks (35 Occurrences)

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)

Contends (6 Occurrences)

Defend (38 Occurrences)

Pulled (84 Occurrences)

Dispute (37 Occurrences)

Provoke (64 Occurrences)

Plead (64 Occurrences)

Torn (100 Occurrences)

Trying (68 Occurrences)

Charges (58 Occurrences)

Vex (20 Occurrences)

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)

Jareb (2 Occurrences)

Wrestle

Race (36 Occurrences)

Debate (13 Occurrences)

Mastery (5 Occurrences)

Misfortune (24 Occurrences)

Bother (9 Occurrences)

Buffet (4 Occurrences)

Compete (3 Occurrences)

Contest (7 Occurrences)

Contendeth (6 Occurrences)

Combat (5 Occurrences)

Argue (21 Occurrences)

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)

Arrayed (46 Occurrences)

Children's (28 Occurrences)

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)

Baal (94 Occurrences)

Breasts (39 Occurrences)

Really (100 Occurrences)

Prostitution (48 Occurrences)

Joash (49 Occurrences)

Harass (14 Occurrences)

Period (43 Occurrences)

Battle (282 Occurrences)

Secure (78 Occurrences)

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)

Vie (2 Occurrences)

Non-existent (1 Occurrence)

Needful (17 Occurrences)

Oppose (29 Occurrences)

Opponent (13 Occurrences)

Obliged (4 Occurrences)

Opponents (11 Occurrences)

Jungle (4 Occurrences)

Jerub-baal (8 Occurrences)

Justifying (9 Occurrences)

Jerubbaal (15 Occurrences)

Justifieth (4 Occurrences)

Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences)

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)

Gore (9 Occurrences)

Gorge (19 Occurrences)

Warred (13 Occurrences)

Invade (15 Occurrences)

Indictment (4 Occurrences)

Footmen (13 Occurrences)

Faultfinder (1 Occurrence)

Foreknown (3 Occurrences)

Fleet (7 Occurrences)

Frontier (6 Occurrences)

Footstep (3 Occurrences)

Thinkest (11 Occurrences)

Thickets (14 Occurrences)

Team (3 Occurrences)

Thicket (9 Occurrences)

Thrive (11 Occurrences)

Tread (60 Occurrences)

Trustedst (3 Occurrences)

Raced (2 Occurrences)

Run (147 Occurrences)

Contemptuously
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