The earth on which we dwell, 1 Samuel 2:8; its inhabitants, John 3:16 , or a large number of them, John 12:19 . In several places it is equivalent to "land," meaning the Roman Empire, or Judea and its vicinity, Luke 2:1 4:3 Acts 11:28 . It also denotes the objects and interests of time and sense, Galatians 6:14 1 John 2:15 .