Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Transfigure" means "transform." The true nature revealed. The Transfiguration was not Jesus adding glory but Jesus letting His always-present divine glory become visible. The veil of flesh was briefly transparent and the disciples saw who He truly was. Paul used the same word in Romans 12:2 -- 'be ye transformed (metamorphoo)' -- meaning let your true, new nature in Christ become visible in your outer life.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Greek metamorphoo ('to transform in form/to change the outward appearance to match the inner reality/to let the hidden glory become visible') became rare and limited to one Gospel event. The ongoing transformative dimension Paul used in Romans 12:2 was disconnected from the Transfiguration. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but rare (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Transfigure"?

Accepted Answer

"Transfigure" was replaced by: "transform" (though this generic change; transfiguration was specifically the hidden glory becoming visible -- the inside showing on the outside); "change appearance" (though this surface-level; transfiguration was the true inner reality breaking through the outer form); "glow" (though this light effect; transfiguration was the divine nature that was always there becoming momentarily visible).

What Does “Transfigure” Mean in the Bible?

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