Bible Dictionary
ADMIRATION
In older biblical English, admiration could mean wonder, astonishment, or respect. The underlying New Testament expressions describe marveling, showing partiality, or being greatly amazed.
Definition
In older biblical English, admiration could mean wonder, astonishment, or high esteem. The underlying New Testament expressions may denote marveling, showing respect of persons, or being greatly amazed.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version uses “admiration” in connection with marveling at Christ’s glory, showing partiality toward persons, and wondering greatly. The underlying word is frequently used in the Gospels for wonder at Jesus’ supernatural works.
Historical Background
The Revised Version replaces the older term with renderings suited to the different kinds of wonder or partiality intended.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ad-mi-ra'-shun (thauma, "a marvel" or "wonder"; thaumazo, "to wonder"): A term thrice used in the King James Version in the New Testament, to express a wonder that includes approval, high esteem; replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by three renderings better suited to convey the various kinds of surprise, wonder, admiration, expressed, by this fertile word: namely, in 2Th 1:10, "to be admired," reads in the Revised Version (British and American) "to be marveled at"; in Jude 1:16 "having men's persons in admiration" is rendered "showing respect of persons"; in Re 17:6 "wondered with great admiration" is replaced by "with a great wonder." The Greek original is used frequently in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, to express marvel and wonder at the supernatural works of Jesus.</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>