Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Astonished" means "amazed." The physical incapacitation. Daniel was 'astonished at the vision' and was sick for days -- the vision hit him like a physical blow. The crowds were 'beyond measure astonished' at Jesus -- not mildly surprised but struck senseless, their minds unable to process what they witnessed. Biblical astonishment was a kind of cognitive collapse in the presence of divine power.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Deflated from 'struck senseless/stunned as if by a thunderbolt' (from Old French estoner 'to stun/daze') to mild surprise, losing the physical shock dimension. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but weakened (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Astonished"?

Accepted Answer

"Astonished" was replaced by: "amazed" (though this also weakened; both astonished and amazed originally meant mentally incapacitated by shock); "surprised" (though this mild and recoverable; astonishment was a blow that left you unable to function); "stunned" (though this closest; but even 'stunned' has weakened from physical incapacitation to 'taken aback').

What Does “Astonished” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost