Dictionaries :: Avail

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Avail:

a-val' shawah, ("to be equal," hence "to be enough," "to avail"): Used in the sense of "satisfy" (Es 5:13). Queen Esther's exceptional favor availed not to satisfy Haman, because of his insane jealousy of his rival Mordecai. ischuo, "to be strong.," translated also "prevail" (Re 12:8); with a negative signifies incompetence, e. g. the impossibility of redemptivc merit or power in an outward ceremony or act (Ga 5:6; 6:15 the King James Version): "neither circumcision availcth anything," contrasted with the efficacy of faith "in Christ Jesus." Used also to express the efficacy of prayer (Jas 5:16).

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Avail:

signifies

(a) "to be strong in body, to be robust, in sound health," Mat 9:12; Mar 2:17;

(b) "to have power," as of the Gospel, Act 19:20; to prevail against, said of spiritual enemies, Rev 12:8; of an evil spirit against exorcists, Act 19:16;

(c) "to be of force, to be effective, capable of producing results," Mat 5:13 ("it is good for nothing;" lit., "it availeth nothing"); Gal 5:6; in Hbr 9:17 it apparently has the meaning "to be valid" (RV, "for doth it ever avail... ?," for AV, "it is of no strength"). It is translated "avail" with reference to prayer, in Jam 5:16; cp. the strengthened form exischuo in Eph 3:18.
See ABLE, CAN, GOOD, MAY, PREVAIL, STRENGTH, WHOLE, WORK.