About
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
"round about, or all round" (from kuklos, "a circle, cycle"), is found in the Apocalypse only, 4:3,4,8.
the dative case of kuklos (see above), means "round about," lit., "in a circle." It is used in the same way as No. 1, Mark 3:34; 6:6,36; Luke 9:12; Romans 15:19; Revelation 4:6; 5:11; 7:11 .
an indefinite particle, signifying "somewhere, somewhere about, nearly," has a limiting force, with numerals, e.g., Romans 4:19 . In referring to a passage in the OT, it is translated "somewhere," in the RV of Hebrews 2:6; 4:4 (AV, "in a certain place"); by not mentioning the actual passage referred to, the writer acknowledged the familiar acquaintance of his readers with the OT. See Place.
usually means "as." Used with numerals it signifies "about," e.g., Mark 5:13; 8:9 John 1:40; 6:19; 11:18; Acts 1:15; Revelation 8:1 .
"as if," before numerals, denotes "about, nearly, something like," with perhaps an indication of greater indefiniteness than No. 4, e.g., Matthew 14:21; Luke 3:23; 9:14,28; Acts 2:41; with a measure of space, Luke 22:41 , "about a stone's cast." See Like.
signifies (a) "of intention, to be about to do something," e.g., Acts 3:3; 18:14; 20:3; Hebrews 8:5; (b) "of certainty, compulsion or necessity, to be certain to act," e.g., John 6:71 . See Almost , Begin , Come , Intend , Mean , Mind , Point Of (at), Ready , Shall , Should , Tarry.
Acts 27:30
King James Dictionary [2]
ABOUT', prep. Gr. butan, without, see but, literally, around, on the outside.
1. Around on the exterior part or surface.
Bind them about thy neck. Proverbs 3:3. Isaiah 50 Hence,
2. Near to in place, with the sense of circularity.
Get you up from about the tabernacle. Numbers 16
3. Near to in time.
He went out about the third hour. Matthew 21:3.
4. Near to, in action, or near to the performance of some act.
Paul was about to open his mouth.
They were about to flee out of the ship. Acts 28:14-30.
5. Near to the person appended to the clothes. Every thing about him is in order. Is your snuff box about you? From nearness on all sides, the transition is easy to a concern with. Hence, 6. Concerned in, engaged in, relating to, respecting.
I must be about my father's business. Luke 2:49. The painter is not to take so much pains about the drapery as about the face
What is he about?
7. In compass or circumference two yards about the trunk.
ABOUT', adv.
1. Near to in number or quantity.
There fell that day about three thousand men. Exodus 32
2. Near to in quality or degree as about as high, or as cold. 3. Here and there around in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house. 1 Timothy 5
4. round, or the longest way, opposed to across, or the shortest way. A mile about, and half a mile across.
To bring about, to bring to the end to effect or accomplish a purpose.
To come about, to change or turn to come to the desired point. In a like sense, seamen say go about, when a ship changes her course and goes on the other tack.
Ready about, about ship, are orders for tacking.
To go about, signifies to enter upon also to prepare to seek the means.
Why go ye about to kill me. John 7.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (prep.) In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
(2): (prep.) Around; all round; on every side of.
(3): (prep.) Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
(4): (prep.) On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
(5): (prep.) Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
(6): (adv.) On all sides; around.
(7): (prep.) In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
(8): (adv.) Here and there; around; in one place and another.
(9): (adv.) Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; - also of quantity, number, time.
(10): (adv.) To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
(11): (prep.) Near; not far from; - determining approximately time, size, quantity.
(12): (adv.) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
a - bout ´: The use of this word as a preposition, in the sense of "around," is confined to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, generally an adverb, for Greek ώς , hōs or " hōseı́ ̌ ." The Revised Version (British and American) adopts it in several idiomatic translations of , méllō , referring to what is about to be, i.e. on the point of occurring, or immediately impending, amending the King James Version, in Acts 5:35; Acts 27:2; Revelation 12:4 , etc.
