King James Bible Dictionary

SURE, adjective shure. [Latin assevero, and to be connected with swear, and perhaps with Latin verus; s being the remains of a prefix.]

1. Certain; unfailing; infallible.

The testimony of the Lord is sure Psalms 19:7.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy. 2 Peter 1:10.

2. Certainly knowing, or having full confidence.

We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth-- Romans 2:2.

Now we are sure that thou knowest all things. John 16:30.

3. Certain; safe; firm; permanent.

Thy kingdom shall be sure to thee. Daniel 4:26.

4. Firm; stable; steady; not liable to failure, loss or change; as a sure covenant. 2 Samuel 23:5. Nehemiah 9:38. Isaiah 28:16.

The Lord will make my lord a sure house. 1 Samuel 25:28.

So we say, to stand sure to be sure of foot.

5. Certain of obtaining or of retaining; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.

6. Strong; secure; not liable to be broken or disturbed.

Go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Math.27.

7. Certain; not liable to failure. The income is sure

To be sure or be sure certainly. Shall you go? be sure I shall.

To make sure to make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object.

Make sure of Cato.

A peace cannot fail, provided we make sure of Spain.

Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure 2 Peter 1:10.

SURE, adverb Certainly; without doubt; doubtless.

SURE the queen would wish him still unknown.

[But in this sense, surely is more generally used.]

SUREFOOT'ED, adjective [sure and foot.] Not liable to stumble or fall; as a surefooted horse.

SU'RELY, adverb Certainly; infallibly; undoubtedly.

In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:17.

He that created something out of nothing, surely can raise great things out of small.

1. Firmly; without danger of falling.

He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely Proverbs 10:9.

SU'RENESS, noun Certainty.

For more sureness he repeats it. [Little used.]

SU'RETISHIP, noun [from surety.] The state of being surety; the obligation of a person to answer for another, and make good any debt or loss which may occur from another's delinquency.

He that hateth suretiship is sure. Proverbs 11:15.

One who becomes responsible for another. Christ is the surety of the better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). In him we have the assurance that all its provisions will be fully and faithfully carried out. Solomon warns against incautiously becoming security for another (Proverbs 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16).

Genesis 44:32; Exodus 22:26-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13; Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 27:13; Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 33:15; Amos 2:8

SU'RETY, noun Certainty; indubitableness.

Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs-- Genesis 15:13.

1. Security; safety.

Yet for the more surety they looked round about.

2. Foundation of stability; support.

We our state

Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;

On other surety none.

3. Evidence; ratification; confirmation.

She call'd the saints to surety

That she would never put it from her finger,

Unless she gave it to yourself.

4. Security against loss or damage; security for payment.

There remains unpaid

A hundred thousand more, in surety of the which

One part of Aquitain is bound to us.

5. In law, one that is bound with and for another; one who enters into a bond or recognizance to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt or for the performance of some act, and who, in case of the principal debtor's failure, is compellable to pay the debt or damages; a bondsman; a bail.

He that is surety for a stranger, shall smart for it. Proverbs 11:15.

Thy servant became surety for the lad to my father. Genesis 44:32.

6. In Scripture, Christ is called 'the surety of a better testament.' Hebrews 7:22. He undertook to make atonement for the sins of men, and thus prepare the way to deliver them from the punishment to which they had rendered themselves liable.

7. A hostage.

In the entire absence of commerce the law laid down no rules on the subject of suretyship; but it is evident that in the time of Solomon commercial dealings had become so multiplied that suretyship in the commercial sense was common. (Proverbs 6:1; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13) But in older times the notion of one man becoming a surety for a service to be discharged by another was in full force. See (Genesis 44:32) The surety of course became liable for his client's debts in case of his failure.