Easton's Bible Dictionary The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in Genesis 38:17-20; "indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages, probably through commercial dealings with the Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days. Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is joined with the figure of a seal when applied to the Spirit, it seems to be used by Paul in this specific sense." The Spirit's gracious presence and working in believers is a foretaste to them of the blessedness of heaven. God is graciously pleased to give not only pledges but foretastes of future blessedness. Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Sincere; purposeful; ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers. 2. (n.) Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. 3. (a.) Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. 4. (a.) Serious; important. 5. (v. t.) To use in earnest. 6. (n.) Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come. 7. (n.) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EARNEST ur'-nest (arrhabon): Found three times in the New Testament: The "earnest of our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:14); "the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5). It has an equivalent in Hebrew `erabhon (found in Genesis 38:17, 18, 20), in Latin arrabo, French arrhes and the Old English arles. The term is mercantile and comes originally from the Phoenicians. Its general meaning is that of a pledge or token given as the assurance of the fulfillment of a bargain or promise. It also carries with it the idea of forfeit, such as is now common in land deals, only from the obverse side. In other words, the one promising to convey property, wages or blessing binds the promise with an advance gift or pledge partaking of the quality of the benefit to be bestowed. If the agreement be about wages, then a part of the wages is advanced; if it be about land, then a clod given to the purchaser or beneficiary may stand as the pledge of final and complete conveyance of the property. Figurative: In the spiritual sense, as used in the passages above named, the reference is to the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts being a token and pledge of a perfect redemption and a heavenly inheritance. There is more than the idea of security in the word as used, for it clearly implies the continuity and identity of the blessing. C. E. Schenk EAST GATE See GATE, EAST. EPHRAIM, GATE OF See JERUSALEM. FISH GATE See JERUSALEM. FOUNTAIN GATE See JERUSALEM. GATE, CORNER, FOUNTAIN, HORSE, SUR See JERUSALEM. HORSE GATE See JERUSALEM. OLD GATE See JERUSALEM. SUN GATE See EAST GATE.

Multi-Version Concordance Earnest (33 Occurrences) Acts 1:14 All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. (WEY) Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him. (Root in ASV RSV NIV) Acts 24:16 This too is my own earnest endeavour--always to have a clear conscience in relation to God and man. (WEY) Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (KJV ASV WBS YLT) Romans 11:7 How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened. (WEY NIV) Romans 12:12 full of joyful hope, patient under persecution, earnest and persistent in prayer. (WEY WBS) 2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) 2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) 2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. (KJV WBS) 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter. (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV) 2 Corinthians 7:12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God. (WEB WEY ASV NAS) 2 Corinthians 8:4 With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people. (WEY RSV) 2 Corinthians 8:12 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not. (WEY) 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV) 2 Corinthians 8:17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV) 2 Corinthians 8:22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you. (WEB ASV RSV) 2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour. (WEY) Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) Philippians 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS) Philippians 1:23 I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. (WEY) Philippians 4:6 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made known in the presence of God. (WEY) Colossians 1:29 To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within me. (WEY) Colossians 4:2 Be earnest and unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it and in your giving of thanks. (WEY) 1 Thessalonians 2:2 but, having suffered before and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the glad tidings of God with much earnest striving. (DBY) 2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching, (YLT) Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (KJV WEY ASV WBS) Hebrews 4:11 Let it then be our earnest endeavour to be admitted to that rest, so that no one may perish through following the same example of unbelief. (WEY) 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. (WEB YLT) 2 Peter 1:10 For this reason, brethren, be all the more in earnest to make sure that God has called you and chosen you; for it is certain that so long as you practise these things, you will never stumble. (WEY) Revelation 3:19 All whom I hold dear, I reprove and chastise; therefore be in earnest and repent. (WEY NIV) Exodus 15:26 and He said: 'If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians; for I am the LORD that healeth thee.' (See NAS) Proverbs 11:27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him. (DBY YLT) Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend. (WEB NIV)