Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Obey" means "follow orders." The hearing. Shama meant 'to hear' before it meant 'to obey.' The Shema ('Hear, O Israel') was the call to attentive listening that naturally produced obedience. You could not obey without first hearing, and true hearing naturally produced action. Obedience was the fruit of listening, not a separate act of willpower.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Hebrew shama ('to hear/listen attentively/respond to what is heard') was stripped of its listening dimension and reduced to 'comply with orders.' Obedience became mechanical compliance rather than attentive response to a beloved voice. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but resented (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Obey"?

Accepted Answer

"Obey" was replaced by: "comply" (though this mechanical and reluctant; shama was attentive listening that naturally led to responsive action); "follow orders" (though this military and impersonal; shama was the response of a child who hears their father's voice and acts on it); "submit to" (though this power dynamic; shama was relational -- hearing and responding out of love and trust).

What Does “Obey” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost

Unlock all 57+ study tools

Related KJV Words