kon´tro -vẽr -si ( ריב , rı̄bh , "strife," "contention"; ὁμολογουμένως , homologouménōs , "confessedly," "without controversy"): Used frequently of disputes among men (as Deuteronomy 17:8 ) and then transferred to the justice of God as directed against the sins of men. Thus we read of Yahweh's controversy with the nations (Jeremiah 25:31 ); with the inhabitants of the land (Hosea 4:1 ); with His people (Micah 6:2 ). "Without controversy" (1 Timothy 3:16 ), a positive rather than a negative expression, "by common consent," or better, "as unanimously confessed," introducing a quotation from a hymn or rhythmical confession of the early church.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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