Obsolete Words in the Common Version.
MANY words used in our common version, have gone out of use, and their meaning is unknown to the ordinary reader. WIST occurs thirteen times in the sacred volume. WOT and WOTTETH occur eleven times. These two examples comprise twenty-four cases, in which the meaning of the holy oracles is not understood by the most of those who read them. Every one, however, is familiar with the word know, which expresses the meaning of the original. Which is easier to be understood,— “WE DO YOU TO WIT,” as in the common version, or “we make known to you,” as in the revision. DAYSMAN was once in common use. We now employ the terms judge, or umpire, or arbiter, to express the meaning. TROW was once a common word, but has gone out of use. I think is the proper term, whose meaning is clear to all readers. KINE is not now generally understood. We employ the terms cattle, and cows, to express the meaning. LEASING was once used, where we now use lying and falshood. EARING was an old Saxon word signifying plowing. It has become entirely obsolete. SOD and SODDEN formerly expressed the idea of boiling. SEETHE, SEETHING signified likewise to boil. They are no longer used. These words, SOD and SEETHE, occur nineteen times in the version, and, of course, prevent or obscure the meaning of nineteen passages of Scripture to the commmon reader. Take, for instance, the brief passage: How few readers understand what Jacob was doing! No one, however, would be left a moment in doubt, if the phrase was translated, Jacob was boiling pottage. ESCHEW is very rarely used. Shun, or avoid would be far more readily understood. WENCH is a term not now applied in ordinary language to a servant maid. BRUIT is understood by very few. The term rumor, or report is far more intelligible.—American Bible Union. HUMAN merit exposes you to danger, surrounds you with difficulties, and places you at an infinite distance from God. Divine grace makes you safe, surrounds you with mercies, and places you in the very bosom of deity. Bless God for free grace. WE never can ascribe too much to grace, nor too little to self.