Contend

Generally 'c. with' in the mod. sense of ' fight with,' as Is 49^ ' I will c. with him that c""" with thee'; or 'argue with,' as Ac 11^ ' they that were of the circumcision c'^ with him, sajang.' But in the latter sense c. is also found witliout ' with,' as Is 57" ' I will not c. for ever ' (prob. = argue with, accuse, condemn); Job 13 ' will ye c. for God 'I ' ( = argue with others for God, be an advocate for God), Am 7 ' the Lord God called to c. by fire' (=argue, and so Mic 6' 'c.

thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice'). In all these passages the Heb. is Dn ribh. In Jude * ' ye should earnestly c. for the faith ' {iirayuA(oiui.

i), the meaning passes out of strife or argument into the wider sphere of earnest endeav- our ; as with the simple d7ui'(fo^i in Lk 13^ ' Strive to enter in at the strait gate,' and Col 4'^ ' labour- ing fervently for you in prayers' (RV 'always striving for yon '), and as Bacon, Essays, ' Let a man contend, to excell any Competitors of his in Honour.' J. Hastings.