Bible Dictionary
AVOID
In older English biblical usage, avoid can mean escape, turn away from, refuse, or arrange to prevent something. Its meaning therefore depends on the passage in which it occurs.
Definition
In older biblical English, avoid may mean escape, turn away from, refuse, or arrange beforehand to prevent something. Its meaning depends on its context.
Biblical Usage
The word describes escaping, avoiding a disputed matter, turning away from troublesome persons, refusing foolish questions, and arranging that an undesirable event should not occur.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-void: Archaic use in 1Sa 18:11 for "escaped." In the Revised Version (British and American) of New Testament only in 2Co 8:20 stellomenoi (with negative), literally, "arranging that not," etc., i. e. by anticipation providing that something should not occur. In the King James Version for "turn away from," ekklinete: Ro 16:17; 1Ti 6:20; "refuse," paraitou, 2Ti 2:23; periistaso, Tit 3:9.</p>