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Earnest

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Concordances
Nave Topical Bible
• Earnestness
• Earnest
Thompson Chain Reference
• Earnestness-Indifference
• Earnestness
• Earnest Suppliants
Dictionaries
American Tract Society
• Earnest
Easton's Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Fausset Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Spurgeon's Illustration Collection
• Life: the Power of an Earnest
• Earnest of the Spirit: the Pledge of Heaven
Holman Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Hastings' BibleDictionary
• Earnest
Hastings' NT Dictionary
• Earnest
King James Dictionary
• Earnest
Morrish Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Hawker's Poor Man's Dictionary
• Earnest
People's Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Smith Bible Dictionary
• Earnest
Vines' Expository Dictionary
• Earnest, Earnestness, Earnestly
• Earnest
Wilson's Bible Types
• Earnest
Webster Dictionary
• Earnestness
• Earnestful
• Earnest
Encyclopedias
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Earnest
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Earnest
Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia
• Earnest
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Earnest
The Jewish Encyclopedia
• Earnest-Money
Lexicons
• ܚܦ݂ܺܝܛܳܐ
• ܚܦ݂ܺܝܛܽܘܬ݂ܳܐ
• ܪܰܗܒ݂ܽܘܢܳܐ
• ἀποκαραδοκία , καραδοκία
• ἀρραβών
• περισσοτέρως
•   (only first 3 shown)
• שָׁמַע , שֶׁמַע

EARNEST, a. ern'est.

1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object eager to obtain having a longing desire warmly engaged or incited.

They are never more earnest to disturb us, than when they see us most earnest in this duty.

2. Ardent warm eager zealous animated importunate as earnest in love earnest in prayer.

3. Intent fixed.

On that prospect strange

Their earnest eyes were fixed.

4. Serious important that is, really intent or engaged whence the phrase, in earnest. To be in earnest, is to be really urging or stretching towards an object intent on a pursuit. Hence, from fixed attention, comes the sense of seriousness in the pursuit, as opposed to trifling or jest. Are you in earnest or in jest?

EARNEST, n. ern'est. Seriousness a reality a real event as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance.

Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.

And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.

1. First fruits that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success. The christian's peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain.

This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Thus the earnest of the spirit is given to saints, as a pledge or assurance of their future enjoyment of God's presence and favor.