English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
The King James Version of the Bible has been a tremendous blessing to countless individuals. Its release in 1611 was a significant event, granting English speakers worldwide the opportunity to engage with Scripture independently and comprehend its teachings. While some churches uphold the Authorized, or King James Version (KJV), as the sole legitimate English Bible, we acknowledge their choice to utilize the KJV while differing on its exclusivity or superiority as a translation. The vocabulary employed in the KJV reflects that of the seventeenth century, which can be perplexing for present-day readers.
The King James Version stands as a splendid literary work; however, one of its challenges lies in the evolution of word meanings over the past four centuries since its initial publication. This evolution is a natural consequence of linguistic changes over time. Certain words in the KJV no longer carry their original connotations, while others have completely fallen out of contemporary usage.
The language of the KJV belongs to Early Modern English—the language of Shakespeare’s theatrical works. Although still comprehensible today, it diverges from modern English. Some of the KJV’s unique features, like the use of “thee” and “thou” (singular forms of “ye” and “you,” respectively, which were always plural in Early Modern English), appeal to some readers. However, certain words and phrases in the KJV may appear outdated—does Numbers 23:22 truly mention a “unicorn”? Nonetheless, there are specific KJV terms that can pose more significant challenges for believers when interpreting the text. Here are some explanations of a few KJV words:
Replenish. In Genesis 1:28, God instructs Adam and Eve to “replenish” the earth. Many readers are puzzled by this KJV term, assuming it implies that the earth was previously inhabited and that Adam and Eve’s descendants would succeed an original, extinct human race. The Hebrew word “male'” actually meant “to fill.”
To fill completely,” not “to refill.”
In 1611, the English meaning (now archaic) of replenish was “to supply fully.” The re- does not mean “again,” as we might think. In this case, it is an intensive prefix; that is, it adds a sense of urgency to the verb. So the KJV word replenish could be defined as “to fill with urgency and enthusiasm.”
Closet. Matthew 6:6 contains another KJV word that needs some explanation. Jesus speaks of entering one’s “closet” to pray, and it’s not uncommon these days to hear someone speak of a “prayer closet.” This does not mean we have to pray in a clothes closet or a linen cupboard. The Greek tameion meant “an inner chamber, a secret room, or a storage room.” It is not wrong to say the original Greek could have referred to a bedroom.
Our word closet is derived from the French clos, which merely meant “a private room”—a room that is “closed off.” So there’s no need to kneel among the extra shoes with hanging trousers draped over your shoulders in order to pray. Any private space will do.
Compel. In Acts 26:11, Paul admits that, before he was converted, he “compelled” believers to blaspheme Jesus Christ. To us, this KJV word sounds like he convinced them and they gave in. However, the Greek anagkazo is not so strong. Compelled means only he “threatened, begged, and pushed” them to blaspheme, but it does not mean that he succeeded. Early Christians were tougher than that.
The 1611 definition of compelled was based on the original Latin and French: to “compel” was to “drive together.” So Paul put pressure on the early Christians, attempting to “drive” them toward his goal. Associating compel with an “irresistible force” was not common until the early 1900s—fully 300 years after the KJV words were chosen by the translators commissioned by King James.
Conversation. The KJV word conversation is almost immediately associated today with “talking,” but neither the Hebrew derek in Psalm 37:14 nor the Greek anastrophe in Ephesians 4:22 refers to verbal communication. The Hebrew word actually means “a road,” and both the Hebrew and Greek make reference to one’s manner of life or the character one displays through life. It’s not that our speech shouldn’t be godly, but these verses specifically address our manner of interacting with people.
The obsolete definition of conversation is “conduct or behavior,” and this is the sense the KJV translators had in mind. The French conversation and the Latin conversationem have always referred to the way in which someone lives with others.
Cousin. In Luke 1:36, the KJV wording refers to Elizabeth as Mary’s “cousin.” It’s been a puzzle for years—how closely related were Elizabeth and Mary? The Greek suggenes means “kin” or, possibly, “someone from the same area or country.”
The KJV word cousin, as interpreted by most modern readers, seems to mean that Mary and Elizabeth were daughters of siblings. But that’s not what the word cousin used to mean. In Early Modern English, cousin commonly had a much broader meaning than just “child of one’s aunt or uncle.” In fact, a “cousin” could be anyone outside of one’s immediate family. In Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Duke Frederick calls Rosalind “cousin,” even though she is actually his niece. So what was the exact family relation between Mary and Elizabeth? We don’t know.
There are many other examples of KJV words that have changed meaning through the years. When Jesus was surrounded by “doctors” in Luke 2:46, we are to understand He was sitting in the midst of “teachers.” The “bewitchment” of Galatians 3:1 is a “leading astray.” The “carriages” of Acts 21:15 we would call “luggage.” When the mob was “instant” in Luke 23:23, they were being “urgent” or “insistent.” Those who speak “leasing” in Psalm 5:6 are actually speaking “deceit” or “falsehood.” When Jesus spoke of what was “meet” in Mark 7:27, He referred to what was “fitting” or “proper.”
Using the King James Version of the Bible is fine as long as readers are careful to
To understand the vocabulary employed, additional study is required to grasp the outdated, antiquated, and no longer in use definitions of numerous KJV terms. Employing inductive study methods and a reliable dictionary can prevent misinterpretations from infiltrating our understanding of the Scriptures.
