Bible Dictionary
ABATE
To diminish, reduce, or lessen, as the waters of the Flood, physical strength, monetary value, anger, or fire.
Definition
To abate is to diminish, reduce, or lessen. In biblical translation the word may describe the decreasing of the Flood waters, strength, monetary value, wrath, or fire.
Biblical Usage
The term is applied in Scripture to several kinds of reduction, including the abating of the Flood, the loss of strength, the lowering of a valuation, the assuaging of wrath, and the lessening of fire.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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 (Jud 8:3); of fire (Nu 11:2).</p>