Question 1

What does "Allege" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Allege" means "prove." Paul's method of scriptural proof. When Acts says Paul was 'alleging that Christ must needs have suffered,' it describes rigorous demonstration from the Hebrew scriptures -- citing prophecy after prophecy, building an evidentiary case. Modern readers hear 'Paul was making unproven claims,' which inverts his entire approach.

Question 2

Why did the word "Allege" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Shifted from 'to prove/demonstrate/cite evidence for' to 'to claim without proof,' completely inverting the word's relationship with evidence. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by ~1800.

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Allege"?

Accepted Answer

"Allege" was replaced by: "prove" (though this conclusive; allege-as-prove meant citing evidence and building a case, which is exactly what paul did in synagogues); "demonstrate" (though this academic; allege carried the urgency of courtroom proof and passionate argument); "claim" (though this the modern meaning -- assertion without evidence, the opposite of the original).

What Does “Allege” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost