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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EARNESTur'-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 - 7k1618. 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
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 - 20kForward (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
Resources
What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the seal of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine in Ephesians 3:20? | GotQuestions.orgEarnest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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