Bible Dictionary
ABIDE
To remain, dwell, stay, endure, or continue. In the New Testament, believers are especially called to abide in Christ and in his teaching.
Definition
To abide means to await, remain, lodge, sojourn, dwell, continue, or endure. As a noun, an abode is a dwelling place or place of continuance.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the word for remaining in a place, enduring circumstances, and continuing in a condition. The New Testament also speaks of abiding places and of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwelling with the true disciple.
Historical Background
“Abide” is an Old English term represented by numerous Hebrew and Greek words. Revised translations often use “sojourn,” “dwell,” or “encamp.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-bid': Old English word signifying progressively to "await," "remain," "lodge," "sojourn," "dwell," "continue," "endure"; represented richly in Old Testament (King James Version) by 12 Hebrew and in New Testament by as many Greek words. In the Revised Version (British and American) displaced often by words meaning "to sojourn," "dwell," "encamp." The Hebrew and Greek originals in most frequent use are yashabh, "to dwell"; meno, "to remain." "Abide (sit or tarry) ye here" (Ge 22:5); "The earth abide (continueth) forever" (Ec 1:4); "Who can abide (bear or endure) the day?" (Mal 3:2); "Afflictions abide (await) me" (Ac 20:23). The past tense abode, in frequent use, has the same meaning. "His bow abide (remained) in strength" (Ge 49:24); "There he abide" (dwelt) (Joh 10:40).</p><p>Abode, as a noun (Greek mone) twice in New Testament: "make our abide with him" (Joh 14:23); "mansions," the Revised Version, margin "abiding-places" (Joh 14:2). The soul of the true disciple and heaven are dwelling-places of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>