Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Presently" means "immediately." The instantaneous divine power. The Father would presently give twelve legions of angels -- not 'eventually' or 'soon' but this very instant, before the sentence ended. The fig tree presently withered -- immediately, visibly, now. The weakening of presently from 'now' to 'soon' drains the miracles of their shock.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Shifted from 'immediately/at once/this very instant' to 'soon/shortly/in a little while,' weakening urgency to vagueness. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by ~1800.

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Presently"?

Accepted Answer

"Presently" was replaced by: "immediately" (though this clinical; presently-as-immediately carried dramatic urgency -- right now, this instant); "at once" (though this emphatic but less vivid; presently had the force of 'before your eyes'); "soon" (though this the modern weakened meaning -- 'at some unspecified near future time').

What Does “Presently” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost