KJV ENGLISH
LECTURE 8
VOCABULARY
Coney (4) “a rabbit like, nocturnal animal”
Also ‘conies’. A coney is a small, rabbit like, nocturnal animal that lives in holes in rocks.
The NIV retains every occurrence of ‘coney’ (ies). The NKJV labes it twice as a ‘rock Hyrax’ !
Lev 11:5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
Prov 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Contemn (7) “to despise”
Includes ‘contemned’ and ‘contemneth’. It comes from the French word ‘contemner’, which means ‘to despise’.
It is similar to the word ‘contempt’.
Ps 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
Ps 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Contrite (5) “broken, humble”
Of Latin origin meaning ‘to break or bruise; to rub or wear.’ Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.
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Ps 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Conversation (20) “behavior, conduct”
Although used 20 times in the KJV, it never refers to ‘speaking’. It means behavior, social intercourse, conduct, or engagement with things. General course of manners; deportment; especially as it respects morals.
Interestingly, when the KJV and all the other versions use ‘speech’, the NIV alone chose ‘conversation’ (Col 4:6).
Ps 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Convocation (16) “a called assembly”
The act of calling or assembling by summons.
Ex 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
Coriander (2) “plant with small spicy seeds”
The seeds of the sativum have a strong smell and can be used as a medicinal.
Ex 16:31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Cormorant (4) “a large ravenous sea bird”
It comes from the French word cormoran and refers to a large, voracious sea bird.
The perversions replace in 2 of the 4 locations, and use terms such as ‘fisher owl’, ‘pelican’, and ‘desert owl’.
Isa 34:11 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.
Covert (9) “a shelter or hiding place”
It comes from the French word ‘covrir’, which is ‘to cover’. A covert is a place of covering, a shelter, or a hiding place.
The perversions chose different terms the majority of the time, but apparently overlooked its use on 2 occasions. The NRSV chose to alter the KJV use of ‘den’ and ‘secret places’ to ‘covert.
Ps 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
1 Sam 25:20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
Crib (3) “the manger of a stable”
It comes from the Old English word ‘cribb’, which means ‘manger’. The modern definition of ‘baby crib’ cannot be found until 1649.
The perversions chose ‘manger’ for ‘crib’ in 2 of the 3 locations, but left crib unalterred on one occasion.
Prov 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
The NIV in another passage has a strange archaism thrown in:
(KJV) 1 Kings 6:4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
(NIV) 1 Kings 6:4 He made narrow clerestory windows in the temple.