Bible dictionaries
Riot
What Bible dictionaries say about “Riot”, one article after the other.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Riot - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)
RI'OT, n.
1. In a general sense, tumult; uproar; hence technically, in law, a riotous assembling of twelve persons or more, and not dispersing upon proclamation.
The definition of riot must depend on the laws. In Connecticut, the assembling of three persons or more, to do an unlawful act by violence against the person or property of another, and not dispersing upon proclamation, is declared to be a riot. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the number necessary to constitute a riot is twelve.
2. Uproar; wild and noisy festivity.
3. Excessive and expensive feasting. 2 Pet 2.
4. Luxury.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed today.
To run riot, to act or move without control or restraint.
RI'OT, v.i.
1. To revel; to run to excess in feasting, drinking or other sensual indulgences.
2. To luxuriate; to be highly excited.
No pulse that riots, and no blood that glows.
3. To banquet; to live in luxury; to enjoy.
How base is the ingratitude which forgets the benefactor, while it is rioting on the benefit!
4. To raise an uproar or sedition.
Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)
The article in Easton + Webster 1828International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1915)
ri'-ut: Properly, "unrestrained behavior" of any sort, but in modern English usually connoting mob action, although such phrases as a "riotous banquet" are still in common use. the King James Version uses the word in the first sense, and it is retained by the Revised Version (British and American) in Lu 15:13; Tit 1:6; 1Pe 4:4 for asotos, asotia, "having no hope of safety," "profligate]." In Pr 23:20; 28:7 the Revised Version (British and American) has preferred "gluttonous," "glutton," in Ro 13:13, "revelling," and in 2Pe 2:13, "revel."
Burton Scott Easton
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — James Orr, general editor and contributors; CrossWire SWORD module ISBE 2.2
The article in ISBE 1915