Helpful language in the KJV
Posted: January 27th, 2009, 6:44 am
I love the sound of the Scriptures in the language of the KJV, but there is a practical reason to appreciate it as well.
For instance, the signature THEEs and THOUs. Do you know what the difference between the THEE/THOU and YE/YOU?
Think of you foreign language class (French, Spanish, Russian or what have you), and the dreaded conjugation of verbs:
Je suis
Tu es
Il/Elle/On est
Nous sommes
Vous êtes
Ils/Elles sont
There are two variations of our YOU (2nd person). The modern YOU is used for both 2nd person singular (Tu, Tú), and 2nd person plural (Vous/Vosotros or Usted). In many foreign languages the plural is also used for a term of respect.
But not with English -- well, at least not any more. But English did have that characteristic as reflected in the KJV (or Shakespearean literature).
I go
Thou goest
He/She goeth
We go
You go
They go
Thou is 2nd person singular (Thou art a man after my heart), Thee is 2nd person singular object (I gave it to thee), Thine is 2nd person singular possessive.
Ye is 2nd person plural (Ye are the light of the world), You is 2nd person plural object (Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?), and the 2nd person plural possessive is Your.
In modern English we have eliminated the old 2nd person singular completely, and even the old 2nd person subject form "YE", using YOU for everything.
I think that the old language is actually helpful in reading certain passages where the conversation shifts from someone speaking to one person, and then to a group. You can more easily discern exactly to whom the words are being directed. Now, as you read the KJV, you can see how it works, and perhaps appreciate it a little better.
Beautiful AND practical language.
For instance, the signature THEEs and THOUs. Do you know what the difference between the THEE/THOU and YE/YOU?
Think of you foreign language class (French, Spanish, Russian or what have you), and the dreaded conjugation of verbs:
Je suis
Tu es
Il/Elle/On est
Nous sommes
Vous êtes
Ils/Elles sont
There are two variations of our YOU (2nd person). The modern YOU is used for both 2nd person singular (Tu, Tú), and 2nd person plural (Vous/Vosotros or Usted). In many foreign languages the plural is also used for a term of respect.
But not with English -- well, at least not any more. But English did have that characteristic as reflected in the KJV (or Shakespearean literature).
I go
Thou goest
He/She goeth
We go
You go
They go
Thou is 2nd person singular (Thou art a man after my heart), Thee is 2nd person singular object (I gave it to thee), Thine is 2nd person singular possessive.
Ye is 2nd person plural (Ye are the light of the world), You is 2nd person plural object (Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?), and the 2nd person plural possessive is Your.
In modern English we have eliminated the old 2nd person singular completely, and even the old 2nd person subject form "YE", using YOU for everything.
I think that the old language is actually helpful in reading certain passages where the conversation shifts from someone speaking to one person, and then to a group. You can more easily discern exactly to whom the words are being directed. Now, as you read the KJV, you can see how it works, and perhaps appreciate it a little better.
Beautiful AND practical language.