Matthew 1:18 (KJV) Old Language and the King James Version

Matthew 1:18 (KJV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

As far back as Webster’s 1828 dictionary the use of the word wise as “manner, or way of being or acting” was considered obsolete and limited. Yet it is still used to some degree even today, as in “lengthwise”, “otherwise”, etc.

So the phrase in Matthew means “after this manner” or “in this way.”

My point is that it is neither completely inappropriate to use this phrase (even in modern language) nor is it difficult to understand. There is no reason to replace it with a modern phrase and to do so would merely reduce the language to a lower caliber. It would not improve anyone’s ability to understand the Bible. It would only restrict their ability to grow in language, culture and depth of vocabulary.

The same is true of every use of old and archaic terms found in the King James Version. No real good can come of it yet there is great potential harm in replacing it.

To my readers:
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Matthew 1:18 (KJV) Old Language and the King James Version

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