Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Witness" means "observer." The life-cost. Greek martys became English 'martyr' because the earliest witnesses were killed for their testimony. To be a witness was not to passively observe but to actively testify with your life on the line. 'Ye shall be witnesses' was not 'you will watch' but 'you will testify with your whole life, including your death if necessary.'

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Hebrew ed and Greek martys ('one who testifies from personal experience/one willing to die for testimony') passivized into 'someone who saw something happen.' The active, life-risking dimension of testimony was lost. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but passivized (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Witness"?

Accepted Answer

"Witness" was replaced by: "observer" (though this passive watching; a witness was an active testifier willing to stake their life on their testimony); "bystander" (though this accidental presence; a witness was deliberately appointed and publicly accountable); "spectator" (though this entertained observer; greek martys became 'martyr' because witnesses died for their testimony).

What Does “Witness” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost

Unlock all 57+ study tools

Related KJV Words