King James Bible Dictionary

See Earth
Earth

WORLD, noun [This seems to be a compound word, and probably is named from roundness, the vault; but this is not certain.]

1. The universe; the whole system of created globes or vast bodies of matter.

2. The earth; the terraqueous globe; sometimes called the lower world

3. The heavens; as when we speak of the heavenly world or upper world

4. System of beings; or the orbs which occupy space, and all the beings which inhabit them. Hebrews 11:7.

God--hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things; by whom also he made the worlds. Hebrews 1:6.

There may be other worlds, where the inhabitants have never violated their allegiance to their Almighty sovereign.

5. Present state of existence; as while we are in the world

Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world Psalms 73:12.

6. A secular life. By the world we sometimes understand the things of this world its pleasures and interests. A great part of mankind are more anxious to enjoy the world to than secure divine favor.

7. Public life, or society; as banished from the world

8. Business or trouble of life.

From this world-wearied flesh.

9. A great multitude or quantity; as a world of business; a world of charms.

10. Mankind; people in general; in an indefinite sense. Let the world see your fortitude.

Whose disposition, all the world well knows--

11. Course of life. He begins the world with little property, but with many friends.

12. Universal empire.

This through the east just vengeance hurld, and lost poor Antony the world

13. The customs and manners of men; the practice of life. A knowledge of the world is necessary for a man of business; it is essential to politeness.

14. All the world contains.

Had I a thousand worlds, I would give them all for one year more to devote to God.

15. The principal nations or countries of the earth. Alexander conquered the world

16. The Roman empire.

17. A large tract of country; a wide compass of things.

I must descry new worlds.

18. The inhabitants of the earth; the whole human race. John 3:16.

19. The carnal state or corruption of the earth; as the present evil world; the course of this world Galatians 1:4. Ephesians 2:2.

20. The ungodly part of the world

I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given men. John 17:5.

21. Time; as in the phrase, world without end.

22. A collection of wonders. [Not in use.]

In the world in possibility. [All the precaution in the world would not save him.]

For all the world

1. Exactly. [Little used.]

2. For any consideration.

General references
1 Samuel 8:19-20; Job 20:4-29; Job 21:11-15; Psalms 49:16-18; Psalms 73:2-22; Proverbs 14:12-13; Proverbs 15:21; Proverbs 21:17; Proverbs 23:20-21; Proverbs 27:1; Proverbs 27:7; Ecclesiastes 1:8; Ecclesiastes 2:1-12; Ecclesiastes 6:11-12; Ecclesiastes 8:15-17; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; Isaiah 22:12-13; Isaiah 24:7-11; Isaiah 28:4; Isaiah 32:9-11; Isaiah 47:7-9; Hosea 9:1; Hosea 9:11; Hosea 9:13; Amos 6:3-7; Amos 8:10; Micah 2:10; Micah 6:14; Haggai 1:6; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 17:33; John 12:25; Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36-37; Matthew 18:1-4; Luke 9:46-48; Mark 9:33-36; Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-29; Luke 8:14; Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 12:19; Luke 14:17-24; Matthew 22:2-6; Luke 16:1-13; Luke 16:19-25; Luke 21:34; John 5:44; John 12:43; John 15:19; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; 1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Philippians 3:18-19; Colossians 3:2; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 2:12; Titus 3:3; Hebrews 11:24-26; James 2:1-4; James 4:4; James 4:9; James 5:5; 1 Peter 1:14; 1 Peter 1:24; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:12-15; 2 Peter 2:18; 1 John 2:15-17; Jude 1:11-13; Jude 1:16; Jude 1:19
Covetousness; Pleasure; Riches

Instances of:

Esau
Genesis 25:30-34; Hebrews 12:16

Jacob
Genesis 25:31-34; Genesis 27:36; Genesis 30:37-43

Judah
Genesis 37:26-27

Israelites
Numbers 11:33-34; Psalms 78:18; Psalms 78:29-31

Balaam
2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Jude 4:22

Eli's sons
1 Samuel 2:12-17

Gehazi
2 Kings 5:21-27

Herod
Matthew 14:6-7

Cretians
Titus 1:12

WORLDLINESS, noun [from world.] A predominant passion for obtaining the good things of this life; covetousness; addictedness to gain and temporal enjoyments.

WORLDLING, noun A person whose soul is set upon gaining temporal possessions; one devoted to this world and its enjoyments.

If we consider the expectations of futurity, the worldling gives up the argument.

WORLDLY, adjective

1. Secular; temporal; pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction to the life to come; as worldly pleasures; worldly affairs; worldly estate; worldly honor; worldly lusts. Titus 2:12.

2. Devoted to this life and its enjoyments; bent on gain; as a worldly man; a worldly mind.

3. Human; common; belonging to the world; as worldly actions; worldly maxims.

WORLDLY, adverb With relation to this life.

Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise by simply meek.

WORLDLY-MINDED, adjective Devoted to the acquisition of property and to temporal enjoyments.

WORLDLY-MINDEDNESS, noun A predominating love and pursuit of this worlds goods, to the exclusion of piety and attention to spiritual concerns.