Debate
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( v. t.) To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.
(2): ( v. t.) To engage in combat for; to strive for.
(3): ( v. i.) To engage in strife or combat; to fight.
(4): ( v. i.) To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; - often followed by on or upon.
(5): ( v. t.) A fight or fighting; contest; strife.
(6): ( v. t.) Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.
(7): ( v. t.) Subject of discussion.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [2]
Debate . This word had formerly the meaning of ‘strife,’ as in the Geneva tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of Genesis 13:7 , ‘there was debate between the heardmen of Abrams cattell, and the heardmen of Lots cattell.’
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [3]
Romans 1:29 2—Corinthians 12:20Strife.
King James Dictionary [4]
DEBATE, n.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
dē̇ - bāt ´: This word is used only once in the Revised Version (British and American) ( Proverbs 25:9 ). It evidently refers to the settling of a difficulty with a neighbor, and anticipates Matthew 18:15 . It argues for and shows the advantage of private, peaceable settlement of difficulties. Compare Ecclesiasticus 28:9, and see Makebates .
