The meaning of Excellent in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
ek'-se-lent 'addir, yattir (Aramaic); diaphoroteros, kratistos): The translation of various Hebrew words, chiefly of 'addir, "great," "honorable" (Psalms 8:1, Psalms 8:9; Psalms 16:3; Psalms 76:4); yattir, "surpassing," is Aramaic, occurring in Daniel 2:31; Daniel 4:36; Daniel 5:12, Daniel 5:14; Daniel 6:3. Other words are bachar, "to glow," "try," "choose" (Song of Solomon 5:15); ga'on, "mounting," "swelling" (Isaiah 4:2; see EXCELLENCY); gadhal, "to make or become great" (Isaiah 28:29), and other words occurring singly.
In the New Testament we have diaphoroteros, "greater," "better" (Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 8:6); kratistos, "most excellent," "most noble" (Luke 1:3; Acts 23:26); ta diapheronta, "things that differ," "are preeminent" (Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10); megaloprepes, "becoming to the great" (II Peter 1:17, the King James Version "a voice to him from the excellent glory," the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version, margin "the Majestic Glory"); kath' huperbolen "very surpassing" (I Corinthians 12:31, "Yet I show unto you a more excellent way," the Revised Version (British and American) "most excellent"); pleion, "greater," "fuller" (Hebrews 11:4; see ABEL).
W. L. Walker
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