vı̄l , vil´an - i : The original words for "vile" and "villany" are used in about 10 different senses, e.g. despised ( 1 Samuel 15:9 ), despicable (Daniel 11:21 the King James Version), lightly esteemed ( Deuteronomy 25:3 ), empty (Judges 19:24 the King James Version), foolish ( Isaiah 32:6 , the King James Version and the English Revised Version), dishonorable (Romans 1:26 ), filthy or dirty (James 2:2 ), humiliation (Philippians 3:21 ).
Villany occurs but twice in the King James Version ( Isaiah 32:6; Jeremiah 29:23 ), and signifies emptiness or folly (so the Revised Version (British and American)). From the foregoing meanings it will be seen that the word "vile" does not always bear the meaning which has come to be invariably given it in our present-day speech. Anything common or ordinary or humble might, in the Scriptural sense, be termed "vile." So Job 40:4 , the Revised Version (British and American) "Behold, I am of small account"; also "the low estate of his handmaid" (Luke 1:48 ). Ordinarily, however, the idea of contemptible, despicable, is read into the word.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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