The King James Bible (1611) is among the most influential books in the world. Many words are archaic and have not been used since the first printing of the work. Although many English-speaking readers and English Language School (ELS) students have trouble understanding words and their meanings, the KJV is still read today by most evangelical Christians.
One of the most fundamental problems when reading the KJV is the words “you” and “you.” They both mean “you” when used as a subject, but the difference between is “you” is singular and “you” is plural.
YOU: “You” is used throughout the Bible. It is the singular subject that means “you”. Some examples come from the Ten Commandments:
You will not steal, you will not steal (Exodus 20:15). Thou shalt not kill.- Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). Thou shalt not commit adultery – Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). Or … you will eat the grass of the field; … you will eat the grass of the field (Genesis 3:18).
There are many “You will” (You will) and “You will not” (You will not or you will not) because God was instructing people morally on how to act. So get used to reading “You Shall”. In the past tense, tú is used with the verb + “th”: “Tú” is almost always used in the present tense with the medieval form of a verb, such as: You are, you speak, you do, you go, you see, You drink, you say.
But, in the past tense, tú is used with the verb + “st”: Then Abimelech called Abraham and said: What have you done to us? And how have I offended you, that you have brought a great sin upon me and my kingdom? You have done me works that you should not do. And Abimelech said to Abraham: What have you seen that you have done this? (Genesis 20: 9-10)
Tú is used with possessive adjectives: tu (tu) o tuyo; and direct and indirect objects: you (to you): And Pharaoh’s daughter said to him: Take this child and raise him for me, and I will give you your salary. (Exodus 2: 9)
But with you I will establish my covenant; and you shall enter the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. (Genesis 6:18.)
YE: This means “you” in the plural. Follow modern forms of verbs, possessive adjectives, and direct and indirect objects. Verbs also follow most of the current verb forms.
“Behold, now I have two daughters who have never met a man; I beg you to take them out and do with them what seems good to you; only do nothing to these men; because that is why they came under the shadow of my roof.” (Genesis 19: 8).
“And make marriages with us, and give us your daughters, and take ours. And you will dwell with us, and the land will be before you; dwell and trade in it, and you will have possessions in it.” (Genesis 34: 9-10)
Whenever Jesus spoke to his disciples, his multitude of followers or the Pharisees, he always said to them: “You”: you are the salt of the earth … (Matthew 5:13) or you are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14). But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; (Matthew 6:33)
Remember for now that “tú” represents the singular “tú” and the “th” is present in all forms, including: tú, tu, tuyo, tú + verb endings. The plural “tú” or “tú” in all its forms begins with an “and”: tú, tú, tú.
Further explanations of the difficulties of reading this work will be discussed in “Understanding the King James Bible, Part 2”.