Rather
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
the comparative degree of mala, "very, very much," is frequently translated "rather," e.g., Matthew 10:6,28; 1—Corinthians 14:1,5; sometimes followed by "than," with a connecting particle, e.g., Matthew 18:13 ("more than"); or without, e.g., John 3:19; Acts 4:19 , RV (AV, "more"); in 1—Corinthians 9:12 , AV, "rather" (RV, "yet more"); 1—Corinthians 12:22 , RV, "rather" (AV, "more"); 2—Corinthians 3:9 (ditto); Philemon 1:16 (ditto); in 2—Peter 1:10 , AV, "the rather" (RV, "the more"). See More.
"to will, wish," is translated "I had rather" in 1—Corinthians 14:19 . See Desire , B, No. 6.
"beyond, in comparison with," is translated "rather than" in Romans 1:25 , RV (AV, "more than;" marg., "rather").
"but, on the contrary," is translated "and rather" in Luke 17:8 .
Hebrews 13:19 Luke 11:41 12:31 Romans 3:8 Luke 10:20
King James Dictionary [2]
RATH'ER, adv. I would rather go, or sooner go. The use is taken from pushing or moving forward. L. ante, before. But he said, yea rather, happy are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11 .
1. More readily or willingly with better liking with preference or choice.
My soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life. Job 7 .
Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3 . Psalms 84 .
2. In preference preferably with better reason. Good is rather to be chosen than evil. See Acts 5 . 3. In a greater degree than otherwise.
He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, and no where finding, rather fear'd her slain.
4. More properly more correctly speaking.
This is an art which does mend nature, change it rather but the art itself is nature.
5. Noting some degree of contrariety in fact.
She was nothing better, but rather grew worse. Mark 5 .
Matthew 27 .
The rather, especially for better reason for particular cause.
You are come to me in a happy time, the rather for I have some sport in hand.
Had rather, is supposed to be a corruption of would rather.
I had rather speak five words with my understanding -
1 Corinthians 14 .
This phrase may have been originally, "I'd rather," for I would rather, and the contraction afterwards mistaken for had. Correct speakers and writers generally use would in all such phrases I would rather, I prefer I desire in preference.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( a.) Earlier; sooner; before.
(2): ( a.) More readily or willingly; preferably.
(3): ( a.) On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
(4): ( a.) Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
(5): ( a.) More properly; more correctly speaking.
(6): ( a.) In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
(7): ( a.) Prior; earlier; former.
