Bible Dictionaries
Imagination

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

IMAGINATION . In the AV [Note: Authorized Version.] imagine always means ‘contrive’ and imagination ‘contrivance.’ In the case of imagination a bad intention is always present (except Isaiah 26:4 AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] ), as in Romans 1:21 ‘they … became vain in their imaginations’ (RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘reasonings’); 2 Corinthians 10:5 ‘casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself’ (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘reasonings’). The Greek words have in these passages the same evil intent as the AV [Note: Authorized Version.] word, so that the RV [Note: Revised Version.] renderings are not so good. Coverdale translates Isaiah 55:7 ‘Let the ungodly man forsake his wayes, and the unrightuous his ymaginacions, and turne agayne unto the Lorde.’

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Imagination'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​i/imagination.html. 1909.