(forms of חסר , ḥāṣēr , "to lack," אין , 'ayin , "nought"): This word in its various forms has the usual meaning of "want," "need," "deficiency." There is but little change in the use of the word in the different versions. Sometimes one of the common synonyms is exchanged for the word itself, e.g. in the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 21:15 the Revised Version (British and American) has "lack" ("Do I lack madmen?") where the King James Version has "need of"; Proverbs 5:23 , "for lack," instead of "without"; Proverbs 6:32 , "void of" for "lacketh"; Proverbs 10:21 , "lack" for "want"; Proverbs 31:11 , "lack" for "need"; Isaiah 59:15 , "lacking" for "faileth." In the New Testament "lack" is the translation of ὑστερέω , husteréō , literally, "to be behind," and ἐνδεής , endeḗs , "in want." In Luke 8:6 , the Revised Version (British and American) reads "had no" instead of "lacked" in the King James Version. In 2 Corinthians 11:9 , the Revised Version gives "my want" for "which was lacking to me" in the King James Version; in Colossians 1:24 "that which is lacking" for "that which is behind"; James 2:15 "lack" for "destitute." It will readily be seen that sometimes the slight variation helps to explain the meaning.
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.
Read More