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 rābh, signifying “to cast together,” “to increase.” In [Pro 8:24] the primary idea is “to be heavy” (root: kābhadh); in [Deu 33:19] and [Job 22:11] it is “to overflow” shāpha‛; in [Job 36:31] it is “to plait together,” “to augment,” “to multiply” (makhbı̄r from kā-bhar); in [Isa 47:9] it is “strength” ‛ocmāh; in [1Ki 18:41] it is “tumult,” “crowd” hāmōn; in [Ecc 5:12] it is “to fill to satiety” (Revised Version (British and American) “fulness”); in [Isa 15:7] it is “excellence” yithrāh and in [Isa 66:11] “a full breast” zı̄z; in [Jer 33:6] it is “copiousness” (‛ăthereth from ‛āthar). In several passages (e.g. [Eze 16:49]; [Psa 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 perissós, perisseúō, perisseı́a, 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 pleonázō, which suggests that the abundance has resulted from augmentation. In [Rom 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 [Mar 12:44]; [Luk 21:4]; [2Co 8:20]; [2Co 12:7]; [Rev 18:3] the Revised Version (British and American) gives improved renderings instead of “abundance,” and in [Tit 3:6] and [2Pe 1:11] instead of “abundantly.”
