Avail
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
signifies (a) "to be strong in body, to be robust, in sound health," Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; (b) "to have power," as of the Gospel, Acts 19:20; to prevail against, said of spiritual enemies, Revelation 12:8; of an evil spirit against exorcists, Acts 19:16; (c) "to be of force, to be effective, capable of producing results," Matthew 5:13 ("it is good for nothing;" lit., "it availeth nothing"); Galatians 5:6; in Hebrews 9:17 it apparently has the meaning "to be valid" (RV, "for doth it ever avail...?," for AV, "it is of no strength"). It is translated "avail" with reference to prayer, in James 5:16; cp. the strengthened form exischuo in Ephesians 3:18 . See Able , Can , Good , May , Prevail , Strength , Whole , Work.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [2]
a -vāl ´ שׁוה , shāwāh , "to be equal," hence "to be enough," "to avail"): Used in the sense of "satisfy" ( Esther 5:13 ). Queen Esther's exceptional favor availed not to satisfy Haman, because of his insane jealousy of his rival Mordecai. Ἰσχύω , ischúō , "to be strong.," translated also "prevail" ( Revelation 12:8 ); with a negative signifies incompetence, e.g. the impossibility of redemptivc merit or power in an outward ceremony or act ( Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15 the King James Version): "neither circumcision availcth anything," contrasted with the efficacy of faith "in Christ Jesus." Used also to express the efficacy of prayer ( James 5:16 ).
