'Rather' in the Bible

Then the princes of the Philistines said, "What about these Hebrews?" Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Isn't this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to this day?"

His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean?'"

so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.

Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.

Death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them, says Yahweh of Armies.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.

But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it."

and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,

If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched --

If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire,

Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

and will not rather tell him, 'Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink'?

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,

But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.

who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way, or an occasion for falling.

You are puffed up, and didn't rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.

Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.

No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.

We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;

neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith --

Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;

Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.