Bible dictionaries

Devout

What Bible dictionaries say about “Devout”, one article after the other.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Devout - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

DEVOUT, a. [L. See Devote.]

1. Yielding a solemn and reverential attention to God in religious exercises, particularly in prayer.

We must be constant and devout in the worship of God.

2. Pious; devoted to religion; religious.

Simeon was a just man and devout. Luke 2.

Devout men carried Stephen to his burial. Acts 8.

3. Expressing devotion or piety; as, with eyes devout.

4. Sincere; solemn; earnest; as, you have my devout wishes for your safety.

DEVOUT, n. A devotee. [Not used.]

Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)

The article in Easton + Webster 1828

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1915)

de-vout' (eulabes, eusebes, sebomai, "pious," "dutiful," "reverential"): The word is peculiar to Luke. Applied to Simeon (Lu 2:25), Cornelius (Ac 10:2,7), Ananias (Ac 22:12). "Devout proselytes" (Ac 13:43, the King James Version "religious proselytes"), with possible reference to the proselytes of righteousness as distinguished from the proselytes of the gate (see PROSELYTE). "Devout women of honorable estate" (Ac 13:50), proselytes to Judaism and wives of the men in high position among the heathen (see Josephus, BJ, II, xx, 2). "Devout Greeks" (Ac 17:4), probably, though not necessarily, proselytes of the gate, heathen by birth, who attended the synagogue services and worshipped God. "Devout persons" (Ac 17:17), proselytes of the gate.

M. O. Evans

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — James Orr, general editor and contributors; CrossWire SWORD module ISBE 2.2

The article in ISBE 1915