King James Dictionary of 1,770 Difficult Words: Arcane and Obscure Words Made Easy

By Richard E. Hudson

This dictionary is unique because it directs readers to specific Bible passages where each word can be found. The dictionary gives the names of the scholarly sources of every definition for further research. The dictionary only defines words that are exact matches found in King James Version, not the New King James, New International Version, or New Living Translation. Finally, this dictionary does not define names of people or places in the Bible, only select, difficult, or arcane words such as Fens, Glede, Holpen, Inkhorn, Extol, Flux, Palmer worm, Phylacteries, Raca, Sardius, Subtil, Tekel, Unicorn, Visage, Whereinsover, Whitersoever and Miphkad. The dictionary supplies quick, accurate, easily understandable answers for new Bible students.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350942446

Richard E. Hudson

Richard is a Christian Deacon in St. Louis, Missouri. Richard created this book for new Christians and Sunday School classes using the resources of 18 scholars to define 1,770 King James Version Bible definitions.

Book preview

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King James Dictionary of 1,770 Difficult Words

Arcane and Obscure Words Made Easy

©2024, Richard E. Hudson

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 979-8-35094-243-9

ISBN eBook: 979-8-35094-244-6

To my dear Pastor Dr. Brandon A. Blake who gave me the courage to write this book and who teaches the best sermons in the world.

To my beloved Pastor Emeritus Reverend Donald Hunter, who taught me so much, saved my life and installed me as a Deacon.

To my loving wife Angela for her great advice and

our two daughters Kimberly and Stephanie.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

DEFINITIONS

SOURCES

INTRODUCTION

I wrote this dictionary to teach, support, and guide the readers of the King James Version of the bible so that it will encourage young people to CONTINUE to study and inspire their reading! Please note that only exact words that are in the King James Version of the Holy Bible are in this dictionary.

I chose to research only the KJV because everyone does not have an extensive bible library to reference. The KJV is, I believe, the most populous in existence. It is located in hotel rooms, Christian colleges and so forth. I am blessed to own many of the versions of KJV: NKJV, NIV, ESV, Parallel Bible, New Living Translation and many other commentaries.

My prayer is that this dictionary will excite bible students young, old and in-between to encourage them to want to read more commentaries, other dictionaries and bible versions in their quest to learn more about our beloved Savior Jesus Christ! The Holy Spirit was my guide in selecting these particular arcane, difficult words and defining them. My motivation in writing this dictionary is to capture the essence of what God wants a bible student or teacher to know.

I used the following three criteria in deciding which words to select and print:

Common sense words in the KJV Bible are not listed here because readers of English would instantly know the meaning of such words as people. According to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word people, for example, is listed 1,000 or more times. If a reader really does not know the meaning of people, he or she can easily look it up in a Webster’s Dictionary. Other commonly used examples are, hot, had, said, pray, fall, have, when, hear, house and hundreds more.

Many of the words that I have chosen to be in my dictionary may have multiple, technical meanings and definitions. My spiritual task was and is to listen to the Holy Spirit and make a determination as to which definition best helps any bible student understand the basic biblical meaning of that particular word.

This book is NOT designed to be a scholarly reference for doctoral students, ministers, pastors and archeologists. This book is a quick reference for bible students. The scholarly group of people probably already have a better working knowledge of these definitions. But even so, I hope some scholars can still use some of these words as a quick reference!

There are literally hundreds more words that are clearly, definitely and extremely important to the Christian faith that are not in this dictionary. Some examples of such words are Incarnation, Trinity, Sovereignty, Absolution, Hellenest, Magi, polytheism, Hades, Canticles, Paraclete, Eucharist, Pentateuch, Diaspora, archeology, indwell et cetera; all of them are important words to be sure, but they are not in the KJV bible!

Following each definition, there are references listed as a convenience for the reader, some from the Old Testament (if possible) and few from the New Testament (if possible). This practice does NOT mean that the verses that I have listed are the only places that word may be found! They are meant to be starting points for the student’s study, NOT that one verse is more important than another verse.

I started off this project wanting to define just the top 100 most difficult and obscure and arcane King James Version’s (KJV) words. While doing my research, I found 400 more words to define; then 500 more, then 500 more until I reached the current 1,770 words! If you the reader find a word that I didn’t define in my 1,770 selections, well, someone else might have to take up where I left off!

I will say right up front; I have not chosen to define every possible single obscure and arcane word in the KJV. Most, if not all, of the words I chose to define are my subjective opinion as to what I think young people will get the most value out of. I am quite sure that I could probably find another 100 words to define. I chose to stop finding words at 1,770!

I learned a lot by writing this dictionary! I have read the Bible several times cover to cover and now that I have completed researching for this book, I now wonder how I ever actually understood what I was reading without knowing what these 1,770 words actually meant! That, in turn, makes me wonder how a casual, maybe even serious student, can understand the King James Version they have read without having a specialized dictionary like this! My solution long ago was to simply buy every reference book I could afford. All of those books have in turn lead me to writing this dictionary. Thank God for raising up scholarly commentators!

My prayer and vision is that anyone who wants a better understanding of the bible, will probably pick up a KJV, and try to read it. I wrote this dictionary to support, encourage and guide the readers of the King James Version of the bible so that it will encourage students to CONTINUE to study and ENCOURAGE their reading! My prayer is that this dictionary will excite the reader and cause them to want to read more commentaries, other dictionaries and different bible versions in their quest to know more about our beloved Jesus Christ!

I am not a seminary trained bible scholar. But I do love the Lord enough to put forth my extreme effort to help people understand their bibles by writing this book in faith and reverence for the word of God.

I know that I am not a seminary trained scholar. I chose to stand on the shoulders of past biblical experts to inject pieces of their expertise into my book. The definitions I selected all come from bible scholars.

WORD- Abase

DEFINITION-To afflict, humiliate or humble oneself

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Job 40:1

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD-Abased, Abasing, Abated

REFERENCES- SEC, SDB

WORD- Abhor

DEFINITION- Moral stench; to detest or reject

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Deuteronomy 7:26, Job 30:10,

Romans 12:9, Isaiah 716

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abhorrest

REFERENCES-SBD

WORD- Abib

DEFINITION- A head of grain or is a Jewish calendar month

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Exodus 34:18

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- None

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Abide

DEFINITION- To go, come, wait or dwell; remain, live

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Jeremiah 49:18, Luke 19:5, Acts 20:23, Jeremiah 21:9

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abiding, Abideth

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Abjects

DEFINITION- Sunk to a low condition or attacker, hopeless, helpless

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Psalms 35:14

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Abode

DEFINITION-To dwell, remain or settle

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Exodus 24:16, Numbers 11:35, Joshua 5:8, Judges 5:16

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abodest

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Abolish

DEFINITION- To destroy completely

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Isaiah 2:18

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abolished

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Abominable

DEFINITION- Something disgusting or unclean

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Leviticus 11:43, 1 Chronicles 21:6,

Genesis 43:32, Ezekiel 9:4

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abominable, Abomination, Abominations

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Abound

DEFINITION- something present or available in large numbers;

overflow, increase

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Proverbs 28:20, Romans 5:15,

Philippians 1:9

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abounded, Aboundeth

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Abstain

DEFINITION- to not do something voluntarily

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 15:20, 1 Timothy 4:3, 1 Peter 2:11

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Abstinence

DEFINITION- Self-denial to food, sex or anything about pleasure or craving for religious discipline

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 27:21

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Abundance

DEFINITION- Wealth, plenty, great, power, crowd; to increase

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Genesis 1:20, Exodus 5:23, 1 Timothy 1:12, Acts 2:24, John 6:46

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Abundant, Abundantly

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Accord

DEFINITION- Self-chosen or by itself- to arrive at agreement or like-mindedness, harmony

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Joshua 9:2, 2 Corinthians 8:17

REFERENCES- WTD SEC SBD

WORD- Aceldama

DEFINITION- The name of a field bought with money used to betray Christ- a field of blood

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 1:19

REFERENCES- SEC, WTD

WORD- Acquit

DEFINITION- To set free, repay or discharge completely

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Job 10:14, Nahum 1:3

REFERENCES- WTD SEC

WORD- Adamant

DEFINITION- Probably a diamond; a brilliant, very hard, valuable stone

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Ezekiel 3:9

REFERENCES- UBD

WORD- Adder

DEFINITION- A common viper or water snake

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Genesis 49:17, Proverbs 23:32

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Adjure

DEFINITION- Beg, plead, appeal in most persuasive manner

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Kings 22:16

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Admonish

DEFINITION- To recommend, suggest, show, encourage to do right

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Romans 15:14

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Admonition

DEFINITION- A mild rebuke or warning

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Corinthians 10:11

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Ado

DEFINITION- Fussy excitement

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Mark 5:39

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Adorn

DEFINITION- To make pleasing or attractive

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Timothy 2:9

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Adorned

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Affinity

DEFINITION- Related by marriage; or attraction to or liking for something

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Kings 3:1, 2 Chronicles 18:1

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Afflict

DEFINITION- To distress severely, trouble, damage

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Genesis 31:50, 1 Kings 8:35, Mark 4:17, Hebrews 10:32

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Afflicted, Afflictest, Affliction, Afflictions

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Affright

DEFINITION- In fear, afraid, tremble

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 2 Chronicles 32:18, Job 18:20, Mark 16:5

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Affrighted

REFERENCES- VAED

WORD- Afoot

DEFINITION- Traveling on foot, on the move, in action

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Mark 6:33, Acts 20:13

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Agone

DEFINITION- Days gone by

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Samuel 30:13

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Aground

DEFINITION- To beach a ship vessel

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 27:41

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Ague

DEFINITION- A fit or spell of shaking and shivering

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Leviticus 26:16

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Aijeleth

DEFINITION- A musical notation

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Entire Psalms 22 is one

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Alabaster

DEFINITION- A flask with a long thin neck when broken releases contents

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Allegory

DEFINITION- To speak figuratively; A parable, myth or fable using symbolic, fictional figures

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Galatians 4:24

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Alleluia

DEFINITION- Praise God!

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Hallelujah

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Allied

DEFINITION- Joined or connected closely

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Nehemiah 13:4

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Allure

DEFINITION- The power of attraction or fascination

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Hosea 2:14; 2 Peter 2:18

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Alms

DEFINITION- An offering or portion of one’s possessions given to the poor

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 3:2, 3

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Almsdeeds

DEFINITION- An act of doing good by a generous donation

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 9:36

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Almug

DEFINITION- Same as Algum tree; imported, extinct, light colored tree wood resembling a fig tree

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Kings 10:11, 12; 2 Chronicles 2:8

REFERENCES- UBD

WORD- Aloof

DEFINITION- Distant, apart by choice; indifferent to the feelings of others

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Psalms 38:11

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Alpha

DEFINITION- First letter of the Greek alphabet; A name for Christ which means the beginning; expresses the eternity of God

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6

REFERENCES- SBD; UBD

WORD- Alter

DEFINITION- To cause to become different without changing into something else

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Leviticus 27:10, Daniel 6:8

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Altered, Altereth

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Alush

DEFINITION- An Israelite encampment during the exile

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Numbers 33:13

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Amber

DEFINITION- Dark yellow or bronze in color

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Ezekiel 1:4, Ezekiel 8:2

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Amen

DEFINITION- So be it; it is and shall be so; of a truth it is; to affirm and confirm a statement

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Numbers 5:22, Deuteronomy 27:16, Psalms 41:13, Matthew 6:13

REFERENCES- SEC, VAED

WORD- Amend

DEFINITION- To be, make well; reform your actions

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- John 4:52, Jeremiah 35:15, Jeremiah 7:3, 5

REFERENCES- HPB, SEC

WORD- Amerce

DEFINITION- To inflict a penalty or issue a fine

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Deuteronomy 22:19

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Amethyst

DEFINITION- A favorite gem stone, finely cut, used in fine jewelry, a unique color purple

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Exodus 28:19

REFERENCES- UBD

WORD- Amiable

DEFINITION- Loved; friendly, sociable

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Psalms 84:1

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Amiss

DEFINITION- Unbecoming, not befitting; mistaken, wrong

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 2 Chronicles 6:37, Daniel 3:29, Luke 23:41, James 4:3

REFERENCES- VAED, WTD

WORD- Amounting

DEFINITION- Adding up to be

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 2 Chronicles 3:8

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Anathema

DEFINITION- Greek word for accursed or detestable, unhealthy

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 1 Corinthians 16:22

REFERENCES- WTD, SEC

WORD- Ancle

DEFINITION- An ancient spelling for ankle

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Acts 3:7

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Angel

DEFINITION- A heavenly being created by God; a messenger; they are not humans who have died and gone to heaven

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Matthew 2:13, 19; Luke 1:26;

Revelation 1:1, Revelation 8:4, Psalms 78:25

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Angels, Angel’s, Angels’

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Angle

DEFINITION- The hook on a fishing rod

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Isaiah 19:8

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Anise

DEFINITION- Dill seed for seasoning food

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Matthew 23:23

REFERENCES- SEC

WORD- Anon

DEFINITION- At once, soon or immediately; straightway

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Matthew 13:20

REFERENCES- SEC, VAED

WORD- Antiquity

DEFINITION- The ancient past, especially before the middle-ages;

a great age

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Isaiah 23:7

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Anvil

DEFINITION- A heavy, steel faced iron block used to forge tools

and weapons

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Isaiah 41:7

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Apace

DEFINITION- At a quick pace, speedily, quickly, fast

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 2 Samuel 18:25; Jeremiah 46:5

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Apothecary

DEFINITION- People whose business was to mix oils, ointments and medicinal herbs; similar to a modern pharmacist

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Exodus 30:25; Nehemiah 3:8;

Ecclesiastes 10:1

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Apothecaries

REFERENCES- UBD

WORD- Apparel

DEFINITION- Clothing, robe, dress

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Esther 6:8, Ezekiel 27:24

REFERENCES- SBD

WORD- Appease

DEFINITION- To be quiet or to be quieted

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Proverbs 15:18; Genesis 32:20; Acts 19:35

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Appeased, Appeaseth

REFERENCES- VAED

WORD- Appertain

DEFINITION- To belong as something appropriate, or as a part,

possession or right

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- Numbers 16:30; Nehemiah 2:8,

Leviticus 6:5

VARIATIONS OF THE WORD- Appertained, Appertaineth

REFERENCES- WTD

WORD- Apt

DEFINITION- Ready, prepared, likely

FOUND IN BIBLICAL BOOKS OF- 2 Kings 24:16;