KJV Bible Glossary

Definitions and plain-English explanations of King James Version words, phrases, and theological terms — so nothing in scripture is lost in translation.

Jump to
512 words
W

Wist / Wot


CategoryArchaic Word
Modern Equivalentknew; know.
KJV Word TypeVerb
DefinitionKnew; know. “Wist” means knew, while “wot” means know.
Key Verses"And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him." (Judges 16:20)
KJV Usage NoteThese older forms of “know” often appear where a person is unaware of an important spiritual or practical reality.
Common MisunderstandingThese are not separate technical terms; they are older forms of “know” and “knew.”
EtymologyFrom Old English witan (“to know”).