Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Study" means "make it your aim." The passionate intentionality. 'Study to be quiet' did not mean read books about quietness but make it your passionate aim, your life's ambition, to live quietly. 'Study to shew thyself approved' meant eagerly, zealously pursue God's approval with everything you have. The academic meaning drained the urgency entirely.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Narrowed from 'to be diligent/to make it your earnest aim/to strive eagerly' (Latin studere 'to be eager/zealous') to only 'to read books for learning,' academicizing a word about passionate pursuit. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by ~1800 (the 'be diligent/make it your aim' meaning faded).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Study"?

Accepted Answer

"Study" was replaced by: "be diligent" (though this work-focused; study-as-aim meant to set your whole desire on achieving something); "make every effort" (though this compound and effortful; study was a single word for eager, passionate pursuit); "strive" (though this implies struggle; study-as-aim was not about difficulty but about focused desire).

What Does “Study” Mean in the Bible?

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