King James Bible Dictionary

CONTENT, adjective [Latin , to be held; to hold.] Literally, held, contained within limits; hence, quiet; not disturbed; having a mind at peace; easy; satisfied, so as not to repine, object, or oppose.

CONTENT with science in the vale of peace.

Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content 1 Timothy 6:8.

CONTENT, verb transitive

1. To satisfy the mind; to make quiet, so as to stop complaint or opposition; to appease; to make easy in any situation; used chiefly with the reciprocal pronoun.

Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be obtained.

Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas. Mark 15:15.

2. To please or gratify.

It doth much content me, to hear him so inclined.

CONTENT, noun

1. Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.

A wise content his even soul securd; By want not shaken, nor by wealth allurd.

2. Acquiescence; satisfaction without examination.

The style is excellent; the sense they humbly take upon content

3. The term used in the House of Lords in England, to express an assent to a bill or motion.

CONTENT, noun

1. Often in the plural, contents. That which is contained; the thing or things held, included or comprehended within a limit or line; as the contents of a cask or bale; of a room or a ship; the contents of a book or writing.

2. In geometry, the area or quantity of matter or space included in certain lines.

3. The power of containing; capacity; extent within limits; as a ship of great content

[But in this sense the plural is generally used.]

CONTENTATION, noun Content; satisfaction.

CONTENTED, participle passive or adjective Satisfied; quiet; easy in mind; not complaining, opposing or demanding more. The good man is contented with his lot. It is our duty to be contented with the dispensations of providence.

CONTENTEDLY, adverb In a contented manner; quietly; without concern.

CONTENTEDNESS, noun State of resting in mind; quiet; satisfaction of mind with any condition or event.

CONTENTFUL, adjective Full of contentment. [Not used.]

See Strife
Strife

CONTENTION, noun [Latin See Contend.]

1. Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.

Multitudes lost their lives in a tumult raised by contention among the partizans of the several colors.

2. Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy.

Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law. Titus 3:9.

A fools lips enter into contention Proverbs 18:6.

3. Strife or endeavor to excel; emulation.

4. Eagerness; zeal; ardor; vehemence of endeavor.

This is an end worthy of our utmost contention to obtain.

CONTENTIOUS, adjective

1. Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse.

A continual dropping in a rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 27:15.

2. Relating to contention in law; relating to litigation; having power to decide causes between contending parties; as a court of contentious jurisdiction.

3. Exciting or adapted to provoke contention or disputes; as a contentious subject.

CONTENTIOUSLY, adverb In a contentious manner; quarrelsomely; perversely.

CONTENTIOUSNESS, noun A disposition to contend; proneness to contest; perverseness; quarrelsomeness.

CONTENTLESS, adjective Discontented; dissatisfied; uneasy.

CONTENTLY, adverb In a contented way.

A state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Timothy 6:6; 2 Corinthians 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Hebrews 13:5), ambition (Proverbs 13:10), anxiety (Matthew 6:25, 34), and repining (1 Corinthians 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Psalms 96:1, 2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2 Peter 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Genesis 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Romans 5:2).

General references
Psalms 16:6; Psalms 37:7; Psalms 37:16; Proverbs 14:14; Proverbs 14:10; Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 15:15; Proverbs 15:30; Proverbs 16:8; Proverbs 17:1; Proverbs 17:22; Proverbs 30:8; Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 4:6; Ecclesiastes 5:12; Ecclesiastes 6:7-9; Ecclesiastes 9:7-9; Luke 3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 7:20-21; 1 Corinthians 7:24; Galatians 5:26; Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5
Afflictions, Resignation in; Resignation

Instances of:

Esau, in refusing Jacob's present
Genesis 33:9

Barzillai, in refusing to go with David to Jerusalem
2 Samuel 19:33-37

The Shunammite, in refusing to make a request of Elisha
2 Kings 4:13

CONTENTMENT, noun

1. Content; a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet; acquiescence.

CONTENTMENT, without external honor, is humility.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6.

2. Gratification.

At Paris the prince spent a day, to give his mind some contentment