Quick Definitions
We begin untangling the meaning of Bible words with a quick list of the most common archaic verbs, pronouns, adverbs and so on in the King James.
The most common antiquated pronouns in the Bible, along with their meaning, are thou (you), thy (your), thee (you), thine (your), whoso (whoever) and ye (you). A common preposition is betwixt (between) along with the archaic adjective froward (perverse).
Scripture also contains the frequently recorded adverbs hither (here), nay (no, indeed), thence (there, from there), thither (there), whence (from where), whither (where) and yea (yes). Lastly, some of the most recorded verbs are doth (does), hast and hath (has, have you, you have), shalt (shall) and wilt (will).
Below is a list of other high frequency Bible words that either have changed meaning since 1611 A.D. or are simply not commonly used in modern English.
Meat
The word meat or its plural is used 298 times in the King James. The related bakemeats, referring to baked goods, is recorded only in Genesis 40:17. Meat, except in a few cases (Genesis 27:4, 7, 9, 14, 17, 31), does not exclusively refer to animal flesh. In 122 cases, where the Bible mentions a "meat offering," it is actually discussing a meal or grain offering. The remaining occurrences are a reference to food in general.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat [food] (Genesis 1:29, KJV throughout).
No meat [meal, grain] offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire (Leviticus 2:11).
Begat and Beget
Begat, a Bible word not in common use today, is found 225 times in the King James Bible. Related words such as beget (10 times), begettest (2) and begetteth (3) also occur. These all have the same meaning of fathering someone.
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [fathered] a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat [fathered] sons and daughters (Genesis 5:3 - 4).
Scores
The Bible words threescore, fourscore and sixscore are rarely used in modern times. The suffix -score, used 131 times total, comes from the Old English scoru for the number twenty. The Bible uses threescore to represent the number sixty (three times twenty), fourscore to denote eighty and sixscore to represent one hundred twenty.
And Moses was fourscore [eighty] years old, and Aaron fourscore [eighty] and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7).
The days of our years are threescore [sixty] years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore [eighty] years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).
Ghost
The word ghost appears 90 times as part of the phrase "Holy Ghost" and nineteen times by itself. A more accurate rendering of the word is "spirit" which is used in the majority of Biblical translations.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [Spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost [spirit] (John 19:30).
Coast
The meaning of the word coast and its plural has changed since the King James Bible was written. In 105 of 113 cases coast was used to reference a border or area that was next to something that was NOT a body of water. Over time it took on the modern meaning of an edge of land that was by a body of water like a sea.
And their coast [border] was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities (Joshua 13:30).
When Jesus came into the coasts [borders] of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (Matthew 16:13).
Over Against
The word against, when it is a part of the Biblical phrase "over against," means something that is close to or across from something else. The phrase is found 103 times in the King James Bible.
And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against [across from, close to] him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust (2Samuel 16:13).
And Jesus sat over against [across from] the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much (Mark 12:41).
Corn
Corn is found 102 times in the KJV and once as part of the word cornfloor. The problem is that corn (maize), as we know it today, was unknown to Biblical people. Originating in Mexico, it was only after the Spanish discovered it that they brought it back to Europe sometime after 1492 A.D. where it then spread. The word is better rendered "grain."
And they did eat of the old corn [grain] of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn [grain] in the selfsame day (Joshua 5:11).
Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor [grain floor] (Hosea 9:1).
Wrought
Wrought is recorded 100 times in the King James Bible with wroughtest found once. Archaic and seldom used today, the words mean to make, work, form, fashion or accomplish something.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought [worked] miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20).
Nigh
The Old English word nigh is recorded 55 times in the King James Bible's Old Testament and 45 times in the New. It generally means "near."
The Lord is nigh [near] unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18).
And when they drew nigh [near] unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples (Matthew 21:1).