mat´ẽr : This word being a very general term may express various ideas. the Revised Version (British and American) therefore frequently changes the reading of the King James Version in order to state more definitely the meaning of the context (compare Exodus 24:14; 1 Samuel 16:18; 1 Kings 8:59; 2 Samuel 11:19; Esther 3:4; Psalm 35:20; Psalm 64:5; Proverbs 16:20; Proverbs 18:13 ). דּבר , dābhār , and the Greek λόγος , lógos , both meaning "word," are very frequently translated by "matter." ὔλη , húlē , "wood," is rendered "matter" in James 3:5 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "how much wood is kindled"; compare Sirach 28:10). Job 32:18 translates literally, "words"; also Daniel 4:17 , "sentence." διαφέρω , diaphérō , "to carry in different places," "to differ," is rendered "to make matter" (Galatians 2:6 ). The meaning is "it makes a difference," "it matters," "it is of importance."
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.
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