Definition

properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

Etymology

a primitive root;

Where the KJV renders it

• abide fast
• cleave (fast together)
• follow close (hard after)
• be joined (together)
• keep (fast)
• overtake
• pursue hard
• stick
• take

Every distinct English word the King James Version uses to translate this Hebrew term. The variety shows what readers in English receive across many different surface words — the same underlying word, scattered across the English Bible under different names.

What the first audience heard

A deep-dive treatment of this word is in the works. The featured chapter above carries the long form of what this word meant to its first audience.