Bible Dictionary
ESTATE
A person’s position, condition, or standing. Biblical translations use the word in several senses, including social rank, personal circumstances, and one’s place or office.
Definition
Estate may mean a person’s position, standing, office, or circumstances. Older English sometimes used it interchangeably with “state,” meaning condition.
Biblical Usage
The Bible speaks of Mary’s low estate, chief men, a person’s place or office, and the condition or state that others may report. Modern versions often replace the word with more definite expressions.
Historical Background
The American Standard Revised Version generally distinguishes “state” for condition from “estate” for position, correcting several older uses of the King James Version.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>es-tat':</p><p>While the King James Version uses both "estate" and "state" with the meaning of "condition," the American Standard Revised Version distinguishes, using "state" for the idea of condition, "estate" for position; and replaces "estate" of the King James Version by more definite expressions in many cases. Compare Col 4:7 the King James Version, "All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you," but 4:8, the King James Version "might know your estate" the Revised Version (British and American) "may know our state"; Lu 1:48 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "the low estate" (of the Lord's hand-maiden); Mr 6:21, the King James Version "chief estates" the Revised Version (British and American) "chief men"; Da 11:7,20,21,38, the King James Version "his estate," the Revised Version (British and American) "his place," both with margin "his office."</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>