About
TextsWhat is the meaning of About in the Bible?
In Old Testament translations, the English word 'about' typically renders Hebrew prepositions indicating spatial enclosure or surrounding, whereas in New Testament contexts, it frequently translates Greek adverbs or prepositions conveying temporal proximity, such as 'near' or 'on the verge of'. The Revised Version and subsequent scholarly translations employ this term to preserve the idiomatic flexibility of the original Semitic and Hellenistic languages.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the dual function of 'about' as both a marker of physical space and temporal immediacy allows readers to accurately interpret narrative pacing and spatial relationships within biblical texts, distinguishing between literal geographical descriptions and idiomatic expressions of impending events.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention About in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does About clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.