Bible Dictionary: Excellent

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Excelling; surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of great worth; eminent, in a good sense; superior; as, an excellent man, artist, citizen, husband, discourse, book, song, etc.; excellent breeding, principles, aims, action.

2. (a.) Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality; -- used with words of a bad significance.

3. (adv.) Excellently; eminently; exceedingly.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

EXCELLENT

ek'-se-lent 'addir, yattir (Aramaic); diaphoroteros, kratistos:

The translation of various Hebrew words, chiefly of 'addir, "great," "honorable" (Psalm 8:1, 9; Psalm 16:3; Psalm 76:4); yattir, "surpassing," is Aramaic, occurring in Daniel 2:31; Daniel 4:36; Daniel 5:12, 14; 6:03. Other words are bachar, "to glow," "try," "choose" (Songs 5:15); ga'on, "mounting," "swelling" (Isaiah 4:2; see EXCELLENCY); gadhal, "to make or become great" (Isaiah 28:29), and other words occurring singly.

In the New Testament we have diaphoroteros, "greater," "better" (Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 8:6); kratistos, "most excellent," "most noble" (Luke 1:3 Acts 23:26); ta diapheronta, "things that differ," "are preeminent" (Romans 2:18 Philippians 1:10); megaloprepes, "becoming to the great" (2 Peter 1:17, the King James Version "a voice to him from the excellent glory," the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version, margin "the Majestic Glory"); kath' huperbolen "very surpassing" (1 Corinthians 12:31, "Yet I show unto you a more excellent way," the Revised Version (British and American) "most excellent"); pleion, "greater," "fuller" (Hebrews 11:4; see ABEL).

W. L. Walker

Greek

1313. diaphoros -- varying, excellent
... varying, excellent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: diaphoros Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-af'-or-os) Short Definition: differing, different, excellent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1313.htm - 6k

4119. pleion -- more excellent, very great, many
... more excellent, very great, many. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pleion
Phonetic Spelling: (pli-own) Short Definition: more, greater Definition: more ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4119.htm - 7k

2903. kratistos -- strongest, noblest
... strongest, noblest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kratistos Phonetic
Spelling: (krat'-is-tos) Short Definition: most excellent Definition: most ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2903.htm - 6k

2908. kreisson -- better.
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kreisson Phonetic Spelling: (krice'-son)
Short Definition: stronger, more excellent Definition: stronger, more ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2908.htm - 6k

3169. megaloprepes -- befitting a great one
... excellent. From megas and prepo; befitting greatness or magnificence (majestic) --
excellent. see GREEK megas. see GREEK prepo. (megaloprepous) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3169.htm - 7k

2909. kreitton -- better
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kreitton or kreisson Phonetic Spelling:
(krite'-tohn) Short Definition: stronger, more excellent Definition: stronger ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2909.htm - 7k

1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a ...
... carry about, to differ, make a difference, surpass NASB Word Usage carry (1), differ
(1), differs (1), driven about (1), essential (1), excellent (1), makes ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1308.htm - 8k

5236. huperbole -- a throwing beyond, excess, superiority
... excess, superiority NASB Word Usage all comparison (1), beyond* (1), excessively*
(1), far...all comparison (1), measure (1), more excellent (1), surpassing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5236.htm - 7k

2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered,
(dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from... ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

2570. kalos -- beautiful, good
... word Definition beautiful, good NASB Word Usage beautiful (1), better (5), better*
(2), commendable manner (1), excellent (1), fair (1), fine (2), good (79 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2570.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

4030. migdanah -- a choice or excellent thing
... 4029, 4030. migdanah. 4031 . a choice or excellent thing. Transliteration:
migdanah Phonetic Spelling: (mig-daw-naw') Short Definition: things. ...
/hebrew/4030.htm - 6k

7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... abundance, greatness NASB Word Usage abundance (29), abundant (6), abundantly (2),
age* (1), all (1), ample (1), common sort* (1), excellent (1), extensively (1 ...
/hebrew/7230.htm - 6k

1348. geuth -- majesty
... Word Origin from gaah Definition majesty NASB Word Usage column (1), excellent
things (1), majesty (2), proud (2), proudly (1), swelling (1). ...
/hebrew/1348.htm - 6k

7119. qar -- cool
... cold, excellent. Contracted from an unused root meaning to chill; cool; figuratively,
quiet -- cold, excellent (from the margin). 7118, 7119. qar. 7120 . ...
/hebrew/7119.htm - 6k

7689. saggi -- great
... Word Origin from saga Definition great NASB Word Usage exalted (2). excellent, great.
From saga'; (superlatively) mighty -- excellent, great. see HEBREW saga'. ...
/hebrew/7689.htm - 6k

5716. adi -- ornaments
... excellent, mouth, ornament. From adah in the sense of trappings; finery; generally
an outfit; specifically, a headstall -- X excellent, mouth, ornament. ...
/hebrew/5716.htm - 6k

117. addir -- majestic
... stately (1). excellent, famous, gallant, glorious, goodly, lordly, mighty ier
one, noble,. From 'adar; wide or (generally) large; figuratively ...
/hebrew/117.htm - 6k

977. bachar -- to choose
... acceptable, appoint, choose choice, excellent, join, be rather, require. A
primitive root; properly, to try, ie (by implication) select ...
/hebrew/977.htm - 6k

7682. sagab -- to be (inaccessibly) high
... defend, exalt, be excellent, be, set on high, lofty, be safe, set up on high,.
A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially ...
/hebrew/7682.htm - 6k

3493. yattir -- preeminent, surpassing
... exceedingly, excellent. (Aramaic) corresponding to Yattiyr; preeminent; as an adverb,
very -- exceeding(-ly), excellent. see HEBREW Yattiyr. 3492, 3493. ...
/hebrew/3493.htm - 6k

Library

Whether Charity is the Most Excellent of the virtues?
... OF CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether charity is the
most excellent of the virtues? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is the most.htm

"A More Excellent Way. "
... Jesus "A More Excellent Way.". Then there's another way of telling the story
of Jesus to men. It's a yet better way. Tell it with your life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a more excellent way.htm

Whether the virtues are More Excellent than the Gifts?
... OF THE GIFTS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the virtues are more excellent than the gifts? ...
Therefore a virtue is more excellent than the gifts of the Holy Ghost. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the virtues are more.htm

Whether Charity is the Most Excellent of the virtues
... Article Six Whether Charity is the Most Excellent of the Virtues. Whether Charity
is the Most Excellent of the Virtues We proceed to the sixth article thus: ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article six whether charity is.htm

Whether the Gift of Tongues is More Excellent than the Grace of ...
... OF THE GRACE OF TONGUES (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the gift of tongues is more
excellent than the grace of prophecy? Objection 1: It ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gift of tongues.htm

The More Excellent Way
... Second Series Sermon 89 The More Excellent Way. "Covet earnestly the best gifts;
And yet I show to you a more excellent way." 1:Cor.12:31. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 89 the more excellent.htm

My Excellent Friend
... THE FIRST CENTURY 80 My excellent friend. My excellent friend, you see that
there are treasures in Heaven and Earth fit to be enjoyed ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/80 my excellent friend.htm

Whether the Active Life is More Excellent than the Contemplative?
... OF THE ACTIVE LIFE IN COMPARISON WITH THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
the active life is more excellent than the contemplative? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the active life is.htm

Excellent Qualities of Proclus.
... Book VII. Chapter XLI."Excellent Qualities of Proclus. Proclus was a reader
at a very early age, and assiduously frequenting the ...
/.../chapter xli excellent qualities of proclus.htm

It is More Excellent to Know that the Flesh Will Rise Again and ...
... Chapter 14 [X.]"It is More Excellent to Know That the Flesh Will Rise Again and
Live for Evermore, Than to Learn Whatever Scientific Men Have Been Able to ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 x it is more.htm

Thesaurus

Excellent (52 Occurrences)
... a.) Excelling; surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of
great worth; eminent, in a good sense; superior; as, an excellent man, artist ...
/e/excellent.htm - 24k

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Surpass. 2. (a.) Eminently excellent;
exceeding others. Multi-Version Concordance Surpassing (21 Occurrences). ...
/s/surpassing.htm - 13k

Extraordinary (11 Occurrences)
... image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent,
stood before you; and its aspect was awesome. (See NAS). ...
/e/extraordinary.htm - 10k

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)
... From the fact that Luke applies to him the title "most excellent", the same title
Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (26:25), it has ...
/t/theophilus.htm - 8k

Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS). Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he
hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (KJV WBS RSV). ...
/o/obtained.htm - 25k

Glorious (91 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; inspiring
admiration; as, glorious revelations. 2. (n.) Eager ...
/g/glorious.htm - 34k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... It is also said (Hebrews 11:4) that "Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain." This sacrifice was made "by faith;" this faith rested in God ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare,
or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Gaulonitis
... Across the Jordan. To him also we owe the excellent maps which carry us
eastward to the province of el-Chauran. Schumacher inclines ...
/g/gaulonitis.htm - 9k

Golan (4 Occurrences)
... Across the Jordan. To him also we owe the excellent maps which carry us
eastward to the province of el-Chauran. Schumacher inclines ...
/g/golan.htm - 11k

Bible Concordance

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into granaries, and your heavenly Father nourishes them. Are ye not much more excellent than they?
(DBY)

Luke 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 7:26 But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and what is more excellent than a prophet.
(DBY)

Acts 23:26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Acts 24:2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,
(WEB DBY RSV)

Acts 24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Acts 26:25 But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 2:18 and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Philippians 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Philippians 2:3 let nothing be in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;
(DBY YLT)

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
(See NIV)

1 Timothy 3:13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(See NIV)

Titus 3:8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
(See RSV NIV)

Hebrews 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 8:6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 11:4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

James 2:7 And do not they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?
(DBY)

1 Peter 2:12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(See NAS)

2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Kings 1:47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, Thy God make the name of Solomon more excellent than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne! And the king bowed himself on the bed.
(DBY)

Esther 1:4 He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Job 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 16:3 As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 76:4 Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Psalms 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

Proverbs 8:6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Proverbs 12:4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
(KJV WBS)

Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
(KJV WBS)

Proverbs 22:20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Proverbs 31:10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
(See NAS)

Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
(WEB ASV)

Song of Songs 5:15 His legs are like pillars of marble set on sockets of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 4:2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Isaiah 5:9 In mine ears Jehovah of hosts hath said, Many houses shall assuredly become a desolation, great and excellent ones, without inhabitant.
(DBY)

Isaiah 12:5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Isaiah 23:18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holy to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, to eat and be sufficed, and for excellent clothing.
(DBY)

Isaiah 28:29 This also comes forth from Yahweh of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Ezekiel 16:7 I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament; your breasts were fashioned, and your hair was grown; yet you were naked and bare.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Daniel 2:31 You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and its aspect was awesome.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Daniel 4:36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Daniel 5:12 because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Daniel 5:14 I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Excellent

Related Terms

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)

Extraordinary (11 Occurrences)

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)

Obtained (61 Occurrences)

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Good (8348 Occurrences)

Gaulonitis

Golan (4 Occurrences)