By Ryan Malone

So, we’ve recommended the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible to you. But perhaps that is one of the hardest to understand—purely because of the ancient wording that it uses. Here is a simple guide that should help you in making sense of some of those old words.

You:

In modern English, we use “you” when speaking to one person (singular; like the word “I”) and when talking to many people (plural; like the word “we”)—although some use the expression “ya’ll” and “you guys” for that. Also, modern English doesn’t differentiate between “you” when it is the subject of the sentence (Ex.:”You are smart”) and when it is the direct object of the sentence (”I know you“).

The English used in the KJV has different words for each type of “you.”

Singular:

• thou = subject of the sentence (”Thou shalt not.”)
• thee = direct object of the sentence (”God is with thee.”)
• thy, thine = possessive (like “your”)
• “thy” for objects beginning with consonants, and “thine” for those beginning with vowels. (”thy God” and “thine eyes.”)

Plural:

• ye = subject of the sentence (”Ye shall serve the Lord your God”—speaking to all Israel.)
• you = direct object of the sentence (”The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you”—speaking to all Israel.)
• your = possessive

So just replace all of these words (thou, thee, thy and ye) with you or your. In fact, seeing the word “you” in the Old English will help you to better understand the meaning of the phrase. When you may think God is talking to many people in general, you may see the word “thou” or “thee” and realize He is talking directly to you!

Commands and Questions:

The word “thee” and “ye” are used in command sentences. In modern English, however, we do not use “you” in a command—it is understood. For example, we say “Go to the store,” instead of, “Go you to the store.” KJV English would say “Go thee to the store” (talking to one person) and “Go ye to the store” talking to more than one. When reading these commands, skipping over the “thee” or “ye” will help it make more sense.

Examples:

• “Get thee up” = Get up (speaking to one person).
• “Hear ye” = Hear (speaking to two or more).

In asking questions, old English puts the verb at the beginning of the sentence, which is different today.

• “Seest thou …?” = “Do you see …?”

The verbs:

Often, old English will add suffixes like -(e)st, -(e)th with verbs.

• goeth, goest= goes
• hast, hath = has
• art = are

The “ither”s and “ence”s:

When reading the Bible, replace the words on the left with the words on the right to help your comprehension:

• hither, hence = here
• thither, thence = there
• whither, whence = where

Other outdated words:

• aught, naught = anything, nothing
• countenance = attitude (as seen in your face, particularly)
• henceforth = now
• husbandman = farmer
• lest = unless
• notwithstanding = however, although
• shew = show
• verily = truly, surely

What are italics for?:

The italicized words were added by the translators in an attempt to clarify what would be an obscure sentence otherwise. Sometimes, however, the translators have changed the meaning by doing this. This is why it is good that they remain in italics. Reading several passages without the italicized words will make this evident.