Bible Dictionary
DESIRE
To desire means to long for, ask for, seek, or require something. Desire may be good or evil depending on its object and motive, and Scripture often distinguishes holy longing from sinful craving.
Definition
To desire means to long for, ask for, seek, demand, or require something. Desire may be good or bad according to its object and motive. In some passages, the more literal sense is asking or seeking rather than inward longing.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses desire both positively and negatively. It may describe longing, asking, seeking, or requiring, while particular contexts concern delight, precious things, shame, or the absence of praise. Desire may therefore express either a proper request or an improper craving.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew and Greek terms are translated desire. Their meanings include longing, asking, demanding, seeking, delighting, losing value, and receiving praise. Context determines which sense is intended.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-zir': The verb "to desire" in the Scriptures usually means "to long for," "to ask for," "to demand," and may be used in a good or bad sense (compare De 7:25 the King James Version). the Revised Version (British and American) frequently renders the more literal meaning of the Hebrew. Compare Job 20:20, "delight"; Pr 21:20, "precious"; Ps 40:6, "delight"; aiteo (except Col 1:9), and erotao (except Lu 7:36) are rendered "to ask" and zeteo, "to seek" (compare Lu 9:9 et. al.). The Hebrew kacaph, literally, "to lose in value," is translated (Zep 2:1) by "hath no shame" (the Revised Version, margin "longing," the King James Version "not desired"). The literal translation "to lose in value," "to degenerate," would be more in harmony with the context than the translations offered. The Hebrew chemdah (2Ch 21:20, "without being desired"), means according to the Arabic "to praise," "to give thanks." The context brings in contrast the burial of the king Jehoram with that of his fathers. In the latter case there was "burning," i.e. recognition and praise, but when Jehoram died, there was no chemdah, i.e. there was no praise for his services rendered to the kingdom. For "desire" in Ec 12:5, see CAPERBERRY.</p><p>A. L. Breslich</p>