Cherish
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
primarily means "to heat, to soften by heat;" then, "to keep warm," as of birds covering their young with their feathers, Deuteronomy 22:6 , Sept.; metaphorically, "to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care," in Ephesians 5:29 of Christ and the Church; in 1—Thessalonians 2:7 of the care of the saints at Thessalonica by the Apostle and his associates, as of a nurse for her children.
King James Dictionary [2]
Cherish n. The prince of Mecca a high priest among the Mohammedans.
CHERISH,
1. To treat with tenderness and affection to give warmth, ease or comfort to.
We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thessalonians 2 .
The damsel was fair and cherished the king. 1 Kings 1 .
2. To hold as dear to embrace with affection to foster, and encourage as, to cherish the principles of virtue to cherish religion in the heart. 3. To treat in a manner to encourage growth, by protection, aid, attendance, or supplying nourishment as, to cherish tender plants. 4. To harbor to indulge and encourage in the mind as, to cherish will, or any evil passion.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (v. t.) To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
(2): (v. t.) To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
cher´ish סכן ṣākhan θάλπω thálpō Ṣākhan 1 Kings 1:2 1 Kings 1:4 thalpō Ephesians 5:29 cherisheth 1 Thessalonians 2:7
