Change of Meanings of Words in The Common Version.
THE common English version was first issued in 1611. About two hundred and fifty years have since elapsed, and the English language has undergone great changes. Many words are not now ordinarily understood in the sense in which they were used, when this version was made. Out of hundreds of examples, we select the following: CONVERSATION, used eighteen times in this version, in no one of these cases signifies the talking of persons with each other, in which sense it is now generally understood. PREVENT, used seventeen times, in no case signifies to hinder, or obstruct, as we now understand and use the word. Every passage in which such a word occurs, is misunderstood by the ordinary reader. These two examples alone comprise thirty-five passages of divine Revelation so misunderstood. Paul is made to say, ‐OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN,‐ when the original asserts, our citizenship is in heaven. As the version now stands, David declares to God ‐MY PRAYER SHALL PREVENT THEE.‐ ‐I PREVENTED THE DAWNING OF THE MORNING.‐ On the other hand, how simple and appropriate is the meaning of the original:‐ My prayer shall come before thee. I anticipated the dawning of the morning. CARRIAGE. The meaning of this word has so completely changed since the version was made. It once signified the thing carried. It now means a vehicle of conveyance. PASSION. The word formerly meant suffering. Now we use it in an entirely different sense. LIST, LISTED. These words once signified wishing: now they are used in a variety of other senses, but not in this. TALE once meant number. It now means a story or narration. ALL TO. This phrase formerly meant entirely or completely. It is now generally read and understood as two separate words, each in its ordinary acceptation. DAMNATION. The word once meant simply condemnation, in such passages, as ‐He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,‐ 1 Cor. xi, 29. Common readers now apply it to the eternal condemnation of the wicked. QUICK, QUICKEN. These words were formerly common in the English language in the sense of living, made alive. They are generally used to express the idea of haste, and not of life.‐American Bible Union.