Monday, March 14, 2011

King James Bible verb forms -- are not that difficult

The verb forms of the KJV – which are often the first thing that makes us feel distant from this beautiful translation – are actually quite easy to grasp. They follow a simple, consistent pattern.
• The –st endings are only used for the 2nd person singular (“thou”) for most verbs. For instance, “Thou lovest righteousness” (Psalm 45:7).
• The –th endings are only used for the 3rd person singular (“he,” “she,” or “it”). For instance, “For he that loveth his life shall lose it” (John 12:25).
• The 1st person singular (“I”), and all of the plural pronouns (“we,” “ye” [since the KJV never uses “you”], and “they”) are exactly the same as our modern English forms:
“The world may know that I love the Father” (John 14:31)—1st person singular.
“We know that we love God” (1 John 5:2)—1st person plural.
“If ye love them which loves you” (Matthew 5:46)—2nd person plural.
“They love to pray standing in the synagogues” (Matthew 6:5)—3rd person plural.

Other than a few additional wrinkles, it’s not much more complicated than that.

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