Archaic KJV Word
King
Modern equivalent: leader
What Was Lost
The comprehensive authority. When scripture calls God 'King,' it means absolute sovereign over every domain of existence -- not a figurehead, not a constitutional monarch, not a fairy-tale character. The King of kings held total authority over life, death, nature, nations, and every human soul simultaneously.
Closest Survivor in Modern English
sovereign (retains the absolute authority but lacks the personal protector dimension)
Peak Usage (1611)
KJV Psalm 24:10 -- 'The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory'; 1 Timothy 6:15 -- 'King of kings, and Lord of lords'
Died still used but domesticated (~1800)
Hebrew melek ('absolute sovereign who rules, judges, protects, and provides for his entire domain') reduced to constitutional figurehead or fairy-tale character. Modern democracies drained 'king' of absolute authority.
What Replaced It
“leader”
Elected and accountable to constituents; a melek was accountable only to God and held absolute authority
“ruler”
Administrative; a king was warrior, judge, provider, and protector of the weakest in the realm
“president”
Temporary and limited; kingship was permanent, comprehensive, and total