KJV dictionary & concordance
Power, capacity, skill, or means sufficient to do something.
Definition sources
First occurrence: Leviticus 27:8
Complete exact-word concordance
But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
But if he bee poorer then thy estimation, then he shall present himselfe before the Priest, and the Priest shall value him: according to his abilitie that vowed, shall the Priest value him.
They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
They gaue after their abilitie, vnto the treasure of the worke, threescore and one thousand drammes of golde, and fiue thousand pound of siluer, and one hundred priests garments.
1611 marginal note1.Chron. 26.20.
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
And I said vnto them, We, after our abilitie, haue redeemed our brethren the Iewes, which were sold vnto the heathen; and will you euen sell your brethren? or shall they be sold vnto vs? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answere.
1611 marginal noteLeuit 25.48.
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Children in whom was no blemish, but well fauoured, and skilfull in all wisedome, and cunning in knowledge, and vnderstanding science, and such as had abilitie in them to stand in the Kings palace, and whom they might teach the learning, and the tongue of the Caldeans.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
And vnto one he gaue fiue talents, to another two, and to another one, to euery man according to his seuerall ability, & straightway tooke his iourney.
1611 marginal noteA talent is 187. pound 10. shillings, chap. 18.24.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
Then the disciples, euery man according to his abilitie, determined to send reliefe vnto the brethren which dwelt in Iudea.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
If any man speake, let him speake as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him doe it as of the ability which God giueth, that God in all things may bee glorified through Iesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for euer and euer. Amen.
Source order
1 · KJV context and cross-references
Historical English dictionary sources
Physical power, whether bodily or mental; natural or acquired; force of understanding; skill in arts or science. ability is active power, or power to perform; as opposed to capacity, or power to receive. […] Civil or legal power, the power or right to do certain things, as an ability to transfer property or dispose of effects - ability to inherit.
