What are some of the English words used in the KJV that have changed in meaning since it was translated?

from the old testament

• In four hundred-plus years, the meaning of many words used have changed, thus the need for fresh translations. For example, we no longer use "thee" and "thou" to mean "you."
• Some verses use English words that have changed meaning since the KJV, including
• Genesis 1:28: God tells Adam and Even to "replenish" the earth. The word replenish used to mean "to supply fully." It was not a re-filling or a filling again, as we might think of the word today; instead the re- prefix added a sense of urgency. So to "replenish" would be "to fill with urgency and enthusiasm."
• “Conversation” was used in Early Modern English to indicate someone’s conduct or behavior, not just words: “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation” (Psalm 37:14 KJV). The ESV translates the last part of that verse as “those whose way is upright.”
• The KJV uses the word “leasing” at times to mean “falsehood” or “lying,” such as in Psalms 4:2 and 5:6.

from the new testament

• Words in the New Testament that have changed meaning include:
• Matthew 6:6: Jesus tells people to go into their "closet" to pray. The original Greek, as well as the French word from which the English derives, indicated a place well within your house, a private or a secret room. We could say bedroom today. Jesus means a private place, not necessarily a literal closet.
• Acts 26:11: As Paul tells his story, he recounts the time he persecuted early believers in Jesus. The KJV says he "compelled" them to blaspheme Jesus. The Greek term used in Acts 26:11, anagkazo, is not quite as strong. It does not imply that Paul succeeded in his attempts, only that he "threatened, urged, or pushed" them to blaspheme. The Early Modern English compel, based on the Latin and French, meant "drive together." Today "compel" carries an association with an irresistible force, but that association was uncommon until the early 1900s.
• Luke 1:36: Mary and Elizabeth have been referred to as "cousins" for centuries, but the original Greek could mean they were simply related or only from the same area of the country. In Early Modern English, "cousin" was a broader term than it is today. In fact, it could refer to anyone outside of the immediate family.
• Other verses include Luke 2:46 where the old "doctors" means "teachers," Acts 21:15 where "carriages" means "baggage," Luke 23:23 where "instant" means "insistent" or "urgent," and Mark 7:27 where "meet" means "fitting" or "proper." There are many others, of course.

implications for today

The King James translation of the Bible was first published in 1611, the first widely distributed Bible translation in English. The English used at that time was Early Modern English—the same as Shakespeare. Like many other things in life, language changes. We no longer speak as people did in Shakespeare’s day, and that can cause some confusion the meanings of some words during that time are different from the meanings of those same words today.

This doesn’t mean the KJV is wrong, but it doesn’t mean that we need to take extra care when reading it. For example, words like “conversation” once meant “conduct” or “behavior,” and “let” could mean “hinder,” which is the opposite of how we use that word today. When reading the KJV, we must slow down and cross-reference with modern translations or study tools to ensure we understand God’s Word accurately. This practice not only deepens our knowledge of Scripture but also trains us to engage thoughtfully with the Bible, recognizing its timeless truth while navigating the nuances of historical language.