Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Overcome" means "get through." The victory. Nikao was a military word -- the battle is over, and you won. 'To him that overcometh' was not 'to him that copes adequately' but 'to the victor in the battle.' The overcomers in Revelation were not survivors but conquerors -- they had fought and won, and the spoils of victory awaited them.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Greek nikao ('to conquer/gain victory in battle/triumph over an enemy') diluted from military victory to 'getting past difficulties.' The conquest and triumph dimension was replaced by coping. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but diluted (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Overcome"?

Accepted Answer

"Overcome" was replaced by: "cope with" (though this managing difficulty; nikao was decisive victory over a defeated enemy); "get through" (though this survival; nikao was conquest -- the enemy was not survived but defeated); "handle" (though this management; nikao was the word nike was named for -- the goddess of victory).

What Does “Overcome” Mean in the Bible?

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