Abate (Hastings' Dictionary)
This verb occurs only six times in AV (all in OT), and yet it translates five different Heb. words. The meaning of the Eng. word is, however, the same throughout, to lessen. ' His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated [Driver : ' neither had his freshness fled '] (Dt 34'). ' It shall be abated (RV an abatement shall be made) from thy estimation ' (Lv 27") (See Estimation.) 'The waters were abated (RV 'decreased') (Gn 8^). RV tr. still anothei Heb.
word ' abated ' in Nu 11' (AV 'was quenched'). The word is also found with the same sense in Wis 16*', Sir 25-^, 1 Mac 5^ W"^. Cf. Shakespeare— ' Abate thy mge, abate thy manly ra^e.' — Henry V. IIL iL 24. And Walton, ' Lord, abate my great afHiction, at increase my patience,' Lives, iv. 288. J. Hastings.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Abate
Abate a-bat': Used six times in Old Testament for five different Hebrew words, signifying "to diminish," "reduce," "assuage"; of the Flood (Ge 8:8); of strength (De 34:7); of pecuniary value (Le 27:18); of wrath (Jg 8:3); of fire (Nu 11:2). ⇒See the definition of abate in the KJV Dictionary
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia