The English used in the King James Bible  is not exactly like the common English spoken in daily conversations in 1611. While the KJV was written in Early Modern English, which was the standard form of English at the time, it has some distinctive features that set it apart from the everyday English of the period.

The translators of the KJV, who were a group of scholars and theologians, intentionally used a more formal, elevated, and poetic style of English to convey the sacred and authoritative nature of the biblical text. This style, often referred to as “Biblical English,” was influenced by various factors, including:

– Latin and Greek: The translators were familiar with the original languages of the Bible  and often incorporated Latin and Greek words and phrases into their English translations.

– Poetic and literary traditions: The KJV translators drew on the poetic and literary traditions of the English Renaissance, which emphasized grandeur, elegance, and complex syntax.

– Archaisms and poetic flourishes: The translators intentionally used archaic words, phrases, and grammatical constructions to create a sense of timelessness and authority.

    As a result, the English used in the KJV is often more formal, complex, and ornate than the everyday English of 1611. It features characteristics such as:

    * Thou and thee  as the second-person singular pronouns

    * Verily and behold as adverbs

    * Thus and wherefore as conjunctions

    * Poetic metaphors and similes

    * Complex sentence structures and inversions

    While the KJV’s language may seem unique and even antiquated to modern readers, it was not entirely unfamiliar to the English-speaking population of 1611. The language of the KJV was still comprehensible to educated readers and listeners, and it was intended to be read aloud in churches and homes.

    However, it’s worth noting that the everyday English of 1611 was likely more colloquial, straightforward, and simple than the language used in the KJV. The KJV’s language was, in a sense, a stylized and elevated form of English, designed to convey the gravity, majesty, and spiritual significance of the biblical text.

    So rather than dumbing down the English, let’s keep it elevated, yet accessible, for the modern reader. One resource I recommend is the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, available on numerous apps and in print.