By Dr. Steve Leathley
Another set of words particular to the King James Bible are the words “nought” and “naught’. (I previously wrote about the words “entreat” and “intreat”) The one-letter difference in the spelling of these two words is significant, which is indicated by their definitions.
The word “nought” means ‘nothing’ and is used 36 times in the King James Bible. Two examples of “nought” would be:
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:”
Acts 5:36
“For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,”
Revelation 18:17
However, the word “naught” means ‘bad’ and it, along with it’s derivatives (“naughtiness” and “naughty”), appear 9 times. Two examples of “naught” are:
“A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.”
Proverbs 6:12
“The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.”
Proverbs 11:6
These two words, and their usage, give the Bible student a very clear and simple understanding of the meaning of the verses where they appear. They are consistent, accurate and simple.
Most people know that the word “naught” means ‘bad’ and many people understand that the word “nought” means nothing. These are not old, archaic words; they are used in modern day English. Yet the more modern of the English translations of the Bible fail to use these words. The English Standard Version (ESV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) never use the words “naught” or “nought”!
Instead of “naught” they use bad, worthless, mischievous, spiteful, evil, insolence, lust and wickedness. All of these different words instead of one consistent, precise word that gives a clear meaning. Instead of “nought” they use nothing, none, ruin, frustrated, trifle, ignored, disdained, empty, worthless, fail, and rejected.
Look at this thread that the Bible student would follow if he were to study the place where the words “counsel” and “nought” are used together.
- Nehemiah 4:15, “God had brought their counsel to nought”
- Psalm 33:10, “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought”
- Proverbs 1:25, “But ye have set at nought all my counsel”
- Isaiah 8:10, “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought”
- Acts 5:38, “if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought”
“Nought” means ‘nothing’. Clear, simple, precise. Now consider the ESV:
- Nehemiah 4:15, “God had frustrated their plan”
- Psalm 33:10, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing”
- Proverbs 1:25, “because you have ignored all my counsel”
- Isaiah 8:10, “Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing”
- Acts 5:38, “if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail”
The student of the Bible would never connect these verses because the words that connect them are absent.
How about the NKJV?
- Nehemiah 4:15, “God brought their plot to nothing”
- Psalm 33:10, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing”
- Proverbs 1:25, “because you disdained all my counsel”
- Isaiah 8:10, “Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing”
- Acts 5:38, “if this plan or this work is of man, it will come to nothing”
Again, no “nought” to be found (that’s just ‘naughty’!). Did you also notice that the so-called New King James Version is a much better match to the ESV than it is to the KJV?
For the serious student of the English Bible, there is no more accurate, detailed and precise Bible than the old King James.
This article was researched and written by Dr. Steve Leathley, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Byesville, Ohio. Pastor Leathley’s extensive sermon topic archive may be found at www.bbc-kjv.com
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