Topical Encyclopedia
The term "wot" is an archaic English word that means "to know" or "to be aware of." It is derived from the Old English "witan," which is related to the German "wissen" and the Dutch "weten," all of which carry the meaning of knowing or having knowledge. In the context of the Bible, "wot" is used in older translations, such as the King James Version, to convey the idea of understanding or being informed about something.
In the Berean Standard Bible , the term "wot" is not used, as it has been updated to more contemporary language. However, understanding its usage in older translations can provide insight into certain biblical passages and the mindset of the people during the time these translations were made.
Biblical Usage:1.
Exodus 32:1 (KJV): "And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."
In this passage, the Israelites express their uncertainty about Moses' whereabouts. The phrase "we wot not" indicates their lack of knowledge or awareness regarding what has happened to Moses while he is on Mount Sinai.
2.
Acts 3:17 (KJV): "And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers."
Here, the Apostle Peter addresses the people of Israel, acknowledging that their actions, specifically the crucifixion of Jesus, were done in ignorance. The use of "wot" signifies Peter's understanding or knowledge of their lack of awareness regarding the true identity of Jesus as the Messiah.
Theological Implications:The use of "wot" in these contexts highlights the human condition of limited understanding and the need for divine revelation. In Exodus, the Israelites' lack of knowledge leads them to idolatry, demonstrating the dangers of acting without divine guidance. In Acts, Peter's acknowledgment of ignorance serves as a call to repentance and an invitation to receive the truth of the Gospel.
Relevance to Modern Readers:While the term "wot" is not used in modern translations like the BSB, the concept it represents remains relevant. Believers are encouraged to seek knowledge and understanding through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible emphasizes the importance of wisdom and discernment, urging Christians to grow in their knowledge of God and His will.
Related Concepts:·
Knowledge: The Bible frequently discusses the importance of knowledge, both human and divine.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
·
Ignorance: Scripture often contrasts knowledge with ignorance, highlighting the consequences of not knowing God's truth.
Hosea 4:6 warns, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
·
Revelation: The process by which God makes Himself known to humanity.
Ephesians 1:17 speaks of "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him."
Understanding the historical and linguistic context of terms like "wot" enriches the study of Scripture and aids in grasping the depth of biblical teachings.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp.) of Weet.
2. (pres. sing.) of Wit.
3. (v.) 1st & 3d pers. sing. pres. Of Wit.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
WIST, WITTY, WOTwist, wit'-i, wot: The verb "to wit" in the King James Version is interchangeable with "to know," and is conjugated with a present "wot," and a past "wist." This inflection is derived from more complicated forms in the older English, and in post-Elizabethan times has become quite obsolete. (But compare the roots in "wisdom," "witness.") "Wit," then, is simply "knowledge," and "witty" is "having knowledge," although the noun and the adjective have become narrowly specialized in modern English (compare the similar evolution of "knowing," in its use as an adjective). Even in Elizabethan English, however, the indicative of "to wit" was becoming displaced by "know," and "wot" and "wist" together occur only 24 times in the King James Version (not at all in Apocrypha). the English Revised Version has retained all the New Testament examples, but in the Old Testament has altered about half the occurrences to "know," but has followed no discoverable rule in so doing ("wot" retained only inJoshua 2:5). the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "know" throughout (Old Testament and New Testament). The infinitive "to wit" is still in use (chiefly in legal formulas) before an apposition, and the King James Version has introduced it rather frequently to clarify a construction (Joshua 17:11 Kings 2:32, etc.), and the Revised Version (British and American) has usually retained it (omitted inJoshua 17:12 Chronicles 4:12). In the other uses of this inf. (Genesis 24:21Exodus 2:4) it is replaced by "to know," while the very obsolete expression in2 Corinthians 8:1, the King James Version "We do you to wit" (i.e. "We cause you to know"; see Do), has become in the Revised Version (British and American) "We make known unto you."
The noun "wit" is found inPsalm 107:27, "at their wits' (the King James Version "wit's") end," for chokhmah, "wisdom," "technical skill"; compare the Revised Version margin "All their wisdom is swallowed up." The meaning is "their skilled seamanship cannot cope with the danger" (the phrase is very commonly misapplied). "Wit" occurs also 1 Esdras 4:26 (dianoia, "mind"); 2 Esdras 5:9 (sensus, here "intelligence"); Sirach 31:20 (psuche, "soul," with the force of "reason").
Witty is found in the King James Version, the Revised Version marginProverbs 8:12, "witty inventions" (mezimmah, "discretion" (so the Revised Version (British and American)); if "and" is not read in this verse, translate "discrete knowledge"). In Judith 11:23 occurs "witty in thy words" (agathos, "good," here probably = "thou hast spoken sound sense"). The Wisdom of Solomon 8:19 the King James Version has "a witty child," the Revised Version (British and American) "a child of parts," margin "goodly" (euphues, "well grown," "of a good disposition," "clever"). "Wittingly" occurs inGenesis 48:14 (sakhal, "act intelligently").
Burton Scott Easton
WOT
SeeWIST;WITTY; WOT.
Greek
1107. gnorizo -- to come to know, to make known... From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know -- certify, declare,
make known, give to understand, do to wit,
wot. see GREEK ginosko.
...1492. eido -- be aware, behold, consider, perceive
... tense only) to know -- be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have)
know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish,wot....
Strong's Hebrew
3045. yada -- to know... regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach,
(can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit,
wot.
...Library
"IWot Well that Thou Wouldst See My Blessed Mother. . . . "
... THE ELEVENTH REVELATION CHAPTER XXV "Iwot well that thou wouldst see my blessed
Mother. . . .". Iwot well that thou wouldst see my blessed Mother. . . ."...
The Seven Sleepers
... builded. It is some other city, Iwot not what. And... was. Iwot well that
I am of this city, if this be the city of Ephesus. And...
"The Soul that Beholdeth the Fair Nature of Our Lord Jesus, it...
... I SPEAK but little of reverent dread, for I hope it may be seen in this matter
aforesaid. But well Iwot our Lord shewed me no souls but those that dread Him....
Philippians i. 22-26
... Philippians i.22-26 "Then what I shall choose Iwot not.... What? Art thou about to
be with Christ? and dost thou say, "What I shall choose Iwot not"?...
Rule for Removing Ambiguity by Attending to Punctuation.
... It is where the apostle says: "What I shall choose Iwot not: for I am in a strait
betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far...
Mystice De Reversione Magorum Ad Patriam.
... And seek our native land with speed. Yewot not what I say, I wis;... Back to the
home we sorely need. That path, Iwot, is fair and sweet,....
But when Proper Words Make Scripture Ambiguous, we must See in the...
... What I shall choose Iwot not: for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire
to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: nevertheless to abide...
In Every Sinful Man and Woman that is Bound in Deadly Sin...
... when we had most need to be stalwart? And well Iwot that it is not GOD'S
will that we so do. For the prophet says: "Lord, I shall...
The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... I cannot wholly express him, Iwot not what to call him, but a certain thing altogether
made of the hatred of God, of mistrust in God, of lyings, deceits...
Acts iii. 12
... them, and had shown that He Whom they crucified had risen, again he relaxes, by
giving them the power of repentance; "And now, brethren, Iwot that through...
Thesaurus
Wot (10 Occurrences)... 1. (imp.) of Weet. 2. (pres. sing.) of Wit. 3. (v.) 1st & 3d pers. sing. pres.
Of Wit. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WIST, WITTY,
WOT.
...Witty (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WIST, WITTY,WOT. wist, wit'-i,wot: The
verb "to wit" in the King James Version is interchangeable...
Wist (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) Knew. 2. (pp) of Wit. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. WIST, WITTY,WOT. wist, wit'-i,wot: The...
Not (69137 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.)Wot not; know not; knows not. 2. (a.)
Shorn; shaven. 3. (adv.) A word used to express negation...
Labour (119 Occurrences)
... (KJV YLT). Philippians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit
of my labour: yet what I shall choose Iwot not. (KJV WEY)....
Wotteth (1 Occurrence)
Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.
Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how...
Blessest (5 Occurrences)
... this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that
we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for Iwot that he...
Cursest (1 Occurrence)
... this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that
we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for Iwot that he...
Peradventure (35 Occurrences)
... this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that
we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for Iwot that he...
Resources
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