Old Testament — Vocabulary
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	366	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book 26:12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.†365 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	153	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book 24:25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.†152 more
	234	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.†233 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	160	top 1000
transgresstransgress → transgressed:violated Her actions transgressed the boundaries of acceptable behavior.more Show sample from book 23:21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.†159 more transgress → transgressions:acts that violate rules, promises, or social norms Show general definition to violate a rule, promise, or social norm
	167	top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more Show sample from book 18:29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.†166 more abominable → abominations:things that are exceptionally bad or detestable Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
	13	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book 33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.†51 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	39	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book 4:6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.†51 more interpret → interpretation:understanding or explanation of meaning Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
	116	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book 16:33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.†115 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	153	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.†152 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	151	top 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book 12:19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.†150 more abandon or give up on Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	148	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.†147 more afflict → afflicted:suffering; or made to suffer Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	143
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.†142 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	104	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 30:24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.†103 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	33	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.35 more give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	313	top 2000
iniquityimmorality That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.more Show sample from book 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.†312 more immorality; OR an immoral act Show general definition immorality; or an immoral act
	45	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book 21:25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.†44 more reprove → reproved:criticized Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	48
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book 18:4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.†47 more ordinance → ordinances:a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government Show general definition for ordinance (as in: passed the ordinance) a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government
	47
pestilencewidespread disease The Black Death was a pestilence that killed an estimated 30% of the European population in the 14th century.more Show sample from book 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.†46 more widespread disease (usually severe)… Show general definition widespread disease (usually severe); or any severely harmful or evil influence that is hard to get rid of
	47
recompensecompensation for loss As recompense for the damage caused by the storm, the insurance company paid the family a large sum of money.more Show sample from book 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.†46 more compensate for a loss; or pay a reward Show general definition compensation for loss; or payment or reward Show editor's word notes Recompense is seldom used in modern literature.
	33	top 2000
preceptrule for behavior She accepts the Golden Rule as a precept.more Show sample from book 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.†32 more precept → precepts:rules for behavior Show general definition a rule for behavior -- especially a shared moral doctrine