What do words in King James Bible MEAN?

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Although the English used in the 1611 King James Version (KJV) Bible is "modern," many of the words it employs are different than today. Some words are no longer used and many have changed their spelling over the years. The meaning of a word translated in the 17th century can at times be significantly different from the meaning we attach to it today. For example, a section in the book of Leviticus says:

"And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. . . . But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. . . . " (Leviticus 16:8,10 KJV Bible)

Our modern definition of a scapegoat is a person (or group, etc.) who is unjustly blamed for the negative actions of others. A boss, for example, who is stealing from the company he works for may try to blame an innocent lower-level worker for the thefts in order to avoid losing his job. This is not, however, the meaning intended by the verses. The scapegoat actually represents Satan the devil and his part in the sins of humanity. He will be responsible for his actions in deceiving others. He is certainly not an innocent party blamed for the actions of others!

Below is a list of words and phrases in the King James Bible with their modern English meaning.

KJV word or phraseModern MeaningReferences
AdoptionSonshipRomans 8:23, 9:4; Ephesians 1:5
Affection(s)Mind, PassionsColossians 3:2, Galatians 5:24
Afflict soulFastLeviticus 23:27, 32
ApothecaryPerfumerExodus 37:29
AssayedAttempted1Samuel 17:39
BeguileJudge against youColossians 2:18
KJV word / phraseModern MeaningReferencesKJV word / phraseModern MeaningReferences
BestowedStationed1Kings 10:26Lusteth afterEarnestly
Desires		Deuteronomy 14:26
 
BlainsInflammatory swelling, BlistersExodus 9:9MammonMoney, Riches, Material wealthMatthew 6:24
 
BosomHave Intimate
Relationship with		2Samuel 12:3, 8;
John 1:18		MansionsOfficesJohn 14:2
 
CarriageBaggage1Samuel 17:22MeatWheatLeviticus 2:1
 
Charity Love1Corinthians 13MeetFitting,
Proper		Matthew 3:8;
Genesis 2:18
 
Clean HeartRight AttitudePsalm 51:10, 73:1MeltDismayed2Samuel 17:10
 
CoastDistrictsDeuteronomy 16:4MockedDeceivedGalatians 6:7
 
CommunicateShareHebrews 13:16Morning StarsAngelsJob 38:7
 
CommunicationsAssociations,
Companionships		1Corinthians 15:33MortifyTo killRomans 8:13
 
ConversationConduct, CitizenshipPhilippians 2:27;
1Peter 3:1		NetherLower
or Under		Deuteronomy 24:6
 
ConvinceConvictTitus 1:9, James 2:9PassionSufferingActs 1:3
 
CoulterBlade or disc
on plough that
cuts through soil		1Samuel 13:20PavilionsBooths1Kings 20:12
 
Covereth his feetGoing to
the bathroom		Judges 3:24; 1Samuel 24:3PerfectUpright, Sincere, Spiritually matureGenesis 17:1;
Job 1:1
 
CreatureCreationRomans 8:20-21; 2Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15PerformFinishPhilippians 1:6
 
Crisping pinPurseIsaiah 3:22PersonSubstanceHebrews 1:3
 
CrossStakeMatthew 10:38;
Mark 15:30;
Luke 9:23, etc.		Pisseth against
the wall		Men, Males2Kings 9:8, etc
 
CruseJug1Samuel 26:11PollsOne by OneNumbers 1:2
 
CursedReviled1Kings 2:8PrincesChief Officers1Kings 4:2
 
DamnedJudgedMark 16:16ProphesyInspired
Preaching		1Corinthians 14
 
Do you
to wit		Make known
to you		2Corinthians 8:1PublicansTax CollectorMatthew 5:46
 
DissimulationHypocrisyGalatians 2:13QuickLivingActs 10:42
 
DiversDifferentMatthew 24:7;
Acts 19:9;
Hebrews 1:1		QuickenMake AliveRomans 8:11
 
DividingExpounding, Dissecting2Timothy 2:15QuitKeep on1Corinthians 16:13
 
DotingSick1Timothy 6:4RequiteOffer Support for1Timothy 5:4
 
Due
Benevolence		Sexual Dues1Corinthians 7:3RudimentsElementsColossians 2:8
 
EnsamplesExamples1Corinthians 10:11Secret partsPrivate parts1Samuel 5:9
 
EschewedAvoidedJob 1:1SeetheBoilExodus 34:26
 
FaintGive UpLuke 18:1;
Galatians 6:9		ServantSlavePhilippians 2:7
 
FoxesJackalsJudges 15:4SheetsShirtsJudges 14:13
 
FrowardEvil, WrongProverbs 2:12ShoesSandalsExodus 3:5
 
GarnishedSet in orderMatthew 12:44SimpleHarmlessRomans 16:19
 
GayExpensive,
Costly		James 2:3Slept with
his Fathers		Died2Kings 13:9, 2 Chronicles 16:12
 
Ghost
(Holy Ghost)		Holy SpiritMatthew 1:18, 20;
Luke 1:15;
John 1:33, etc.		Sons of
God		AngelsJob 1:6
 
GlassMirror1Corinthians 13:12,
James 1:23		SoreGreatly1Samuel 17:24
 
HaplyPerhapsMark 11:13SprinkleAstonish, StartleIsaiah 52:15
 
HardnessBlindnessMark 3:5StrangerNewcomer,
New Convert		Deuteronomy 14:29
 
HastingDesiring2Peter 3:12SufferLet, Allow,
Permit		Mark 10:14, Revelation 11:9
 
HeartAttitude of mindJeremiah 17:9TarryWaitLuke 24:49;
1Corinthians 16:8
 
HostCampJudges 7:10TenorIntent or
Purpose		Exodus 34:27
 
HusbandmanFarmer, RancherJames 5:7TonguesForeign
Languages		Mark 16:17;
1Corinthians 14
 
InnPlace to LodgeExodus 4:24TowerSecret Place2Kings 5:24
 
IniquityLawlessnessMatthew 24:12TrowThinkLuke 17:9
 
JealousZealous2Corinthians 11:2UnctionAnointing1John 2:20
 
KnewHad Sex withGenesis 4:1UnworthilyIrreverently1Corinthians 11:29
 
LaudCelebrateRomans 15:11VirtuePowerMark 5:30
 
LetHinderExodus 5:4VisageAppearanceIsaiah 52:14
 
LettethRestrains2Thessalonians 2:7WhoringAstrayExodus 34:15
 
ListedChoseJohn 3:8   
 
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