Might
Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words [1]
Gebûrâh ( גְּבֻרָה , Strong'S #1369), “might.” This noun is found 61 times in the Hebrew Old Testament, predominantly in poetic books and in Isaiah and Jeremiah. The first occurrence is in Exod. 32:18: “And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery , neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.”
The primary meaning of gebûrâh is “power” or “strength.” Certain animals are known for their “strength,” such as horses (Ps. 147:10) and crocodiles (Job 41:4). Man also demonstrates “might” in heroic acts (Judg. 8:21) and in war (Isa. 3:25). David’s powerful regime is expressed as a “kingship of geburah " (1 Chron. 29:30; KJV, “his reign and his might”). Since both physical strength and wisdom were necessary for leadership, these two qualities are joined together: “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength” (Prov. 8:14). Also Micah, being filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Mic. 3:8). In messianic expectations the prophets projected the Messiah’s special role as a demonstration of “might” and counsel: “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2).
The Psalms ascribe “might” to God. These characterizations are found either in the context of “praise”: “… which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power” (Ps. 65:6), or in the context of prayer: “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength” (Ps. 54:1). The Lord’s “might” is a manifestation of His wisdom: “With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13). In the plural geburah —denotes God’s mighty deeds of the past: “O Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?” (Deut. 3:24).
The Septuagint gives the following translations: dunasteis (“ruler, sovereign; court official”); ischus (“strength; power; might”); and dunamis (“power; strength; might; ability; capability”). The KJV gives these senses: “might; strength; power; mighty acts.”
King James Dictionary [2]
Might n. pret. of may. Had power or liberty. He might go, or might have gone.
1. It sometimes denotes was possible, implying ignorance of the fact in the speaker. Orders might have been given for the purpose.
MIGHT, n.
1. Strength force power primarily and chiefly, bodily strength or physical power as, to work or strive with all one's might.
There small be no might in thy hand. Deuteronomy 28
2. Political power or great achievements.
The acts of David--with all his reign and his might.
1 Chronicles 29 50Kings 15.
3. National strength physical power or military force.
We have no might against this great company that cometh against us. 2 Chronicles 20
4. Valor with bodily strength military prowess as men of might. 1 Chronicles 12 5. Ability strength or application of means.
I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God-- 1 Chronicles 29
6. Strength or force of purpose.
Like him was no king that turned to the Lord with all his might. 2 Kings 23 .
7. Strength of affection.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6
8. Strength of light splendor effulgence.
Let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. Judges 5 .
Shakespeare applied the word to an oath. "An oath of mickle might." This application is obsolete. We now use strength or force as the strength or force of an oath or covenant.
With might and main, with the utmost strength or bodily exertion a tautological phrase, as both words are from the same root, and mean the same thing.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( v.) Force or power of any kind, whether of body or mind; energy or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action; means or resources to effect an object; strength; force; power; ability; capacity.
(2): imp. of May.
(3): ( imp.) of May
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology [4]
See Power
