Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Creature" means "creation." The Creator-creature relationship. Every creature was defined by having been created -- the word itself was a permanent reminder of dependence on God. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature' meant a new creation-act had occurred: God created again. When creature narrowed to 'animal,' the theological architecture of creation/Creator was weakened.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Narrowed from 'anything created/all of creation/a created being' (Latin creatura 'a thing created') to primarily 'an animal, especially a strange or repulsive one,' diminishing a word that once held all creation. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but narrowed (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Creature"?

Accepted Answer

"Creature" was replaced by: "creation" (though this abstract; creature-as-created-thing was personal and individual -- each creature was a specific act of god's creating); "being" (though this philosophical; creature was theological -- defined by its relationship to the creator); "animal" (though this the modern default association; creature meant any created thing, including humans).

What Does “Creature” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost

Unlock all 57+ study tools

Related KJV Words