A KJV False Friend in the Sermon on the Mount-And a Chat about the Channel

[@BlessedLaymanNC]

My grandmother moved into an old house. There was one small room that had a desk, a fireplace and a shelf between the wall and fire place. It was not much more than a wide hallway but with standard sized doors. She or I would study in there, but we never referred to it as a "study", nor did I even think of it as such. The 'desk' was inset in the wall. For the room on the other side of the wall, it was in a small gap between the room's closet and the outside wall. When Dad inherited the house, he enlarged the room's closet and put in a couch and small lamp, which is all that fit in the room. Both of my grandmothers had "closets" in their homes. Except for the bathroom and bedrooms, any small place was some kind of "closet". (The one with the room I'm talking about did tell me about the europeans having "water closets' but that was never how she referred to her bathroom. They had linen closets, coat closets, regular closets, storage closets and one even had a food closet. Everyone else referred to it as a pantry. I never thought of a closet as meaning a small space for a purpose. I did not associate it with "study". I don't really think that this is the example you are asking for, but you dragged up some old memories.

[@wardonwords]

Very interesting! Not totally sure what to make of this linguistically.

[@BlessedLaymanNC]

@@wardonwords Maybe its a southern thing. Or, she was born in 1915 give or take one year.

[@Jolene03]

I guessed "closet" was the word as well 😊 I'm excited for you! My husband and I have been following your channel for a bit now, and we've been very encouraged by your teaching (grew up on the KJV, I'm 34 years old and just last year learned that "thee" is singular and "you" is plural in the KJV. I probably should have known that before??) We will be praying for your future endeavors! God bless!! Oh also, I think it's awesome that your wife has a flower farm 😍 That is just so cool.

[@ChristianityOntheBottomShelf]

12:37 I've fairly often heard "prayer closet," but that has to be due to the influence of the KJV. I've only heard it from people who use the KJV, and those people never use closet in that archaic sense in any other context. 15:38 One reason I love the 1995 NASB, and now the LSB, is the elegance of the language. It's modern English, but it's not the English of the grossly ignorant, with its stunted vocabulary and distorted grammar. This is, by the way, the reason I went with the LSB instead of moving to the 2020 NASB - every sample of it that I saw, before its publication, seemed to me to be somewhat dumbed down.

[@HelloFromSaints]

This is definitely a false friend. It did however serve my mother. She had a terrible college roommate and could not fine a peaceful time and place to pour out her heart to God. This passage inspired her to find the cleaning closet down the hall in her dorm where she prayed the rest of the semester. I believe that God can dexterously use blunt instruments, but that is not an excuse to shun sharp ones. May God bless you in this new chapter.

[@wardonwords]

So interesting, Justin! I'm not the only one who took the verse this way!

[@1988casco]

That closing sentence; very beautifully said!

[@bubba1234xyz]

@@wardonwords seriously… hmm…. 🤔

[@PastorKThroop]

Excellent, as always. I find that you are actually constantly teaching sound hermeneutics and careful reasoning on this channel. I'm teaching a hermeneutics class in Sunday school right now, and I've recommended your channel several times to my congregation. It is full of examples of the kinds of principles I'm endeavoring to teach them, particularly with respect to word studies and careful attention to the context.

[@captainnolan5062]

Google AI says: A "closet" can refer to a private study room, particularly in historical contexts, as it originally described a small, enclosed space often used for private activities like reading, prayer, or studying, essentially providing a secluded area for focused work; the term "study" evolved from this concept of a "closet" used for scholarly pursuits. Key points about "closet" as a study room: Historical usage: In older homes, a "closet" could be a small room off a main room, designed for privacy and quiet activities like studying. Privacy aspect: The key element is the privacy that a "closet" provides, making it suitable for focused work or private discussions. Modern usage: While "closet" is more commonly used for storing clothes today, the historical meaning of a private study space can still be understood in certain contexts.

[@wardonwords]

Excellent!

[@richiejourney1840]

@@wardonwordsIt probably should be relegated to “archaic”. Yet, I have seen “closets” converted into “studies” and even art “studios”. But Mark is correct, the first thing that pops into mind when “closet” is used is a small storage room for various purposes-mainly clothing-not some claustrophobic study, etc.

[@calebschaaf1555]

I used to crawl into my literal closet to pray as a kid. I remember being about 7 and sitting under the clothes, pushing shoes around so that I could pray in my closet.

[@wardonwords]

It's not completely wrong, but it's not quite what Jesus meant!

[@ozrithclay6921]

I can only imagine God seeing you do that and feeling the joy and pride as a father whose child did something so silly and wholesome. And I hope that I make him feel that way when I get something incorrect.

[@CC-iu7sq]

I’m in the same boat, Mark! Currently about to be unemployed due to unfortunate restructuring of my employer that essentially results in my layoff. May be self employed for a time, I’m thankful to have enough side work and pay the bills for a time for my family. Going self employed is scary and I feel for you. I’m very thankful for your work and I hope everything works out full time for you!

[@wardonwords]

Thank you! What do you do on the side?

[@Yesica1993]

I'm sorry to hear the situation at Crossway. I wish I could help financially on a regular basis! Alas, I am barely working part time and have been for years. Thank God for family, or I would literally be homeless. I am hoping for a full time job this year as well.

[@wardonwords]

May the Lord provide for you as he has done for me so far! I trust him.

[@Yesica1993]

@@wardonwords He has continued to do so for me, as well. He's always faithful.

[@storeroomofscripture]

I found a use of "closet" that matches the KJV usage in a modern context. It is in a Mark Ward video. 🙂 In "True (and Mostly True) Accusations against Westcott & Hort" your co-presenter Tim Berg says at around 01:12:30: "They had this little room that was kind of blocked off with no windows that they called the map room, which I would use sometimes just like a little prayer closet."

[@wardonwords]

Ah, good catch! It did require the modifier "prayer." And what can I say? I was tripped up by this word, multiple other commenters testify to the same misunderstanding, and only one modern translation uses the word "closet" in Matt 6:6-and it's the MEV, a very light revision of the KJV.

[@storeroomofscripture]

@@wardonwords I'm mostly just having a bit of fun. Without any qualifier, I have to agree that the word "closet" is now assumed to be a small storage room, not a place for study or prayer. "Prayer closet" might even be in a category of words and phrases that church usage preserves even when outdated in the culture at large. "Brethren" is another such word.

[@timwildsmith]

Great video. Excited to see where God takes you!

[@ThePaPappy]

I'll bet you replied from your closet !? 👍🤣

[@williamearl7837]

My approach to a word like this is that the word may have a broader use than a clothes closet(a term which I have heard people say). I will guess that closet has a relation to close. Looking at this verse, I would assume closet is closed off room which is probably private. After I got my Oxford English Dictionary I discovered that similar words almost always have a relationship to each other. Now I look for these relationships which I gave up on before I got an O.E.D. I agree that we don't need to bow to the dictionary. I have found one or two mistakes in the Oxford English Dictionary; they are not common.

[@ritadyer9295]

I guess maybe because of my mountain heritage and my age, I have never misunderstood a lot of the “false friends.” I do know lots of people who do tho. Lots of pastors who preach wrong due to misunderstanding words. And part of understanding these words can be attributed to common sense. Kinda like in school when we had to read words in sentences we didn’t know and figure out from the context of the sentence what that word meant. Maybe they no longer teach like this in schools.

[@nateholmes1776]

I left 6 figures December 30 last year and took a pastorate making 20K. Had a small side business already and God allowed it to fill all of our needs this year. Our God is good and he can provide for his children.

[@wardonwords]

Amen.

[@DanOrcutt723]

I’m praying God will lead and guide you in the coming weeks and months. I am sure this will all work out well for you and your family. I’m from WA originally, have lived in UT & AK, currently in Wasilla. I’ve been blessed to live in some beautiful places. Mount Vernon is certainly a nice spot. God bless you, brother!

[@wardonwords]

Thank you so much! We love it here!

[@duranbailiff5337]

It was obvious which false friend was in the text. I had learned this one many years ago while attending a KJVO church in South Korea. Some had asked how to use their closet for prayer, when it was too small, or they didn’t have one. It was explained that the closet in the 1611 sense meant an inner room that was not exposed to the outside. Private and lacking windows. Scads of false friends in the ‘Authorized.’ Thank you for your critical work for the Body of Christ. 🙏🏼 Blessings!

[@wardonwords]

✔ Excellent! Love this! And thanks for the support at Patreon, my friend.

[@br.m]

When I was growing up, one of the bedrooms in our house had a closet for study. There was just a table top inside. It was pretty cool.

[@wardonwords]

Cool!

[@bettynewman66]

I wish I could support you via the 2 ways you mentioned. However I will watch and like all of your videos to hopefully help in that little way. I love word study. I'm in my 70's and I grew up using the KJV. I still use it somewhat, but my favorite is the NASB. I write and teach women's Bible studies locally (and on my "Hand to the Plow" KZbin channel) and as I said, I especially love word studies. As teachers, it's our responsibility to teach what the words mean in our day. I will be praying for your (and your wife's) ministry.

[@Ricksbookshelf]

Private study makes more sense. I'm happy to say I've got that covered with the spare bedroom in my house I've dubbed my office library. 😊

[@fnjesusfreak]

One mindset I see among KJVOs is that the 1611 form of the language was perfect and English has only deteriorated and degraded since then. But they never speak in Jacobean themselves...

[@an4yb7ack]

It has degraded , as far as common speech goes.

[@duranbailiff5337]

Yes, as a recovered Fundie, we were warned that Elizabethan English was the pinnacle of perfection, and that modern English was corrupt and indistinct. Of course, these leaders failed to practice their admonition to only use ‘proper’ English. They not only failed to speak in the archaic language, they often did not know the obscure words, like besom. Always reforming, onward and upward! 🎉

[@an4yb7ack]

@duranbailiff5337 boo this man.

[@Rightlydividing-wx1xb]

The average KJV only adherent does not agree with the 1611 translators nor does the average adherent use the 1611 just to scratch the surface.

[@fnjesusfreak]

@Rightlydividing-wx1xb Some even believe the preface to the reader, the translation notes and the chapter headings are DEMONIC!

[@johnuitdeflesch3593]

Noah Webster agrees: "In my own view of this subject, a version of the scriptures for popular use, should consist of words expressing the sense which is most common, in popular usage, so that the ‘first ideas’ suggested to the reader should be the true meaning of such words, according to the original languages. That many words in the present version, fail to do this, is certain. My principal aim is to remedy this evil…". -Preface to the Webster Bible

[@wardonwords]

RIGHT! That is so key, John!

[@brittneedejarnatt]

My aunt made her closet a prayer room because of that verse. Not wrong to do, but proof of a false friend!

[@biblehighlighter]

Uh, the context is praying in secret so as not to be seen. So she had the right idea. So no. It is not a false friend by any means. Read all the words in Matthew 6:6 very carefully. What is more troubling is that Modern Bibles remove the word "openly" in Matthew 6:6. They do this in Matthew 6:4, as well. Meaning, according to Modern Bibles, God is not going to reward you openly on certain things you do in the faith. So yeah, I would rather stick with my King James Bible. Modern Bibles teach Catholic ideas, New age garbage, and attack the eternal nature of Jesus Christ, and much, much more. Then again, this is no surprise. A Catholic (Carlo Maria Martini) worked on your Greek text. Westcott and Hort had a Unitarian on their Revised Version committee (George Vance Smith). Vance wrote a book of the changed doctrines that favor Unitarianism in the Revised Version. Its called Texts and Margins of the Revised New Testament.

[@MAMoreno]

@@biblehighlighter By the time Carlo Maria Martini joined the group, the modern critical text had already taken its modern form for the most part thanks to the work of Protestant scholars. If you want to see the effects of Catholics on a Protestant Bible, look at the RSV. The first edition stuck the ending of Mark in a footnote. The 1966 RSV Catholic Edition moved it back up to the main text and insisted that it was Scripture. The 1971 update of the RSV followed the Catholic Edition's decision. The same thing happened with the pericope about the woman caught in adultery: Protestants rejected it in the original RSV, but Catholics argued that it was a canonical passage, and Protestants relented in the second edition.

[@biblehighlighter]

@@MAMoreno Although Martini's more official involvement with the United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament (UBS) editions came later (e.g., UBS3 in 1975, and Nestle and Aland 27th edition 1993), he was already engaged in the collaborative and ecumenical scholarship that characterized the UBS work in the 1960s. Kurt Aland did engage with Catholic scholars and leaders during his work on the United Bible Societies' UBS 1 and UBS 2 editions for the Greek New Testament. If you did an image search, you will Kurt Aland hanging with the pope. Also, Catholic ideas (or changes) have slowly grown in Modern Bibles over the years since the English Revised Version (RV or ERV). #1. English Revised Version (RV) = 14 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #2. Revised Standard Version (RSV) = 18 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #3. New English Bible (NEB) = 19 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #4. New American Standard Bible (NAS 1995) = 16 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #5. Good News Translation (GNT) = 15 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #6. New International Version (NIV) = 22 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #7. New English Translation (NET) = 16 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #8. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (CSB) = 17 out of 23 Catholic Changes. #9. English Standard Version (ESV) = 17 out of 23 Catholic Changes.

[@genewood9062]

Brother Mark: 1) You gave good reasons for your choice. I pray God guides you in His perfect will. 2) I found Thesaurus dawt-calm, through the associated Dictionary dawt_calm gave the whole range of meanings for "closet", as a noun, an adjective, and a verb. 3) As I recall, "inner room", was normal architecture in a first-century Jewish [middle class? urban?] home.

[@thetickedoffpianoplayer4193]

I had a roommate when I was a kid who would always go into her closet to pray because of that verse.

[@stormythelowcountrykitty7147]

I used to do that too but that was because the people I lived with did not appreciate faith and I was afraid. Yes not very brave but I was a kid.

[@bubba1234xyz]

I would say you probably are not truthful.

[@richiejourney1840]

@@bubba1234xyz what grounds do have to even say that?

[@bubba1234xyz]

@ because it is a ludicrous statement. I have been in the ministry for over 30 years. No school, no church, would teach such nonsense. The context itself is self explanatory. So either your roommate is mentally challenged.. to say the least, or there is a fabrication of facts. It is one of the two.

[@richiejourney1840]

@ Ahh…I get it now…it’s you. It’s your failure to believe anyone with whom your experience is not theirs right? But you wouldn’t dare say that about Christ and the cross and resurrection…and yet you believe not the testimony of their childhoods? Do you deny that there are “unchurched children” who read bibles and have faith in God? You are telling us that no one teaches this “closet” thing…never ever and even today?

[@gastie1]

Got to be honest. I'm not sure this one is that big a deal. While there will always be some who take things extremely literally and will get into their closet, I think most people I've come across simply see this as Jesus tell us to find a private space to pray rather than making a show of it. If anything, this might make detractors think they have more ammo to attack with. I say this as someone who really values these videos and prays everything goes well for you and your family in this next year as you seek God's will.

[@alliellioxenfree]

@@gastie1 agreed. Kind of devaluing his body of work with a reach here.

[@richiejourney1840]

Then there really shouldn’t be a big deal if the word is updated to actually say what you say it means right?

[@richiejourney1840]

“Closet” here can mean “your own mind” as I often pray on the spot about something.

[@gastie1]

​@richiejourney1840 100%. I don't actually read the KJV very often. I read and preach from the ESV.

[@Esteele6687]

Water closet is the “technical” aka fancy term for a toilet. It is what most plumbers will refer to toilets as, specifically as it only appears as such on most engineering drawings. (W/C) In it’s literal form it is what the two home I’ve owned have in the master bathroom. A small room with a toilet in it, the water closet. Most toilet related fittings are named closest flange, closet bend and closet bolts. Just some linguistic uses you didn’t mention. Hope this was helpful my friend.

[@Yesica1993]

I wish this term was still used! It sounds more elegant than "bathroom" or "toilet."

[@richardvoogd705]

The reference to WC reminded me of an occurrence I once saw to EC (earth closet) on the plan of an old house. The main use of the word closet I'm familiar with is almost a synonym with wardrobe.

[@gailkavelman9341]

I never had a problem with the word closet in this passage I always thought Jesus meant to go into a quiet private room

[@BrianJohnson-lx3zd]

I have never heard closet used that way, except maybe as an informal exaggeration. "I don't know how you can sit reading in this little closet on a beautiful day like this!"

[@pastorandrewbrady]

Looking forward to all the new content you are going to produce. Thank you for your ministry brother

[@wardonwords]

Thank you!

[@timmyholland8510]

I got the idea. From the context to me when I read it last was that's an metaphor for the opposite of openly, pray in private.

[@richiejourney1840]

I don’t think that is a complete interpretation. Biblical context does not reveal you shouldn’t pray openly at all. Rather, you shouldn’t be praying openly as to making a public display as a work’s righteousness or better than you attitude of the pharisee’s. The most private place is in one’s own mind/heart.

[@travismoore7938]

I figured it was closet because when I started reading the Bible and read that word, I wondered if I should go in to my clothes closet to pray. I was really young when I started reading the Bible.

[@richiejourney1840]

That’s the first thing that pops into MOST peoples minds these days.

[@dustinburlet7249]

This is pure perfection I love it! Such a good video from a fantastic scholar I love your work and am thankful you have been able to do what you've done for the kingdom

[@wardonwords]

You're WAY too kind, Dustin!! And when are you going to have a KZbin channel? You have so much to give!

[@dustinburlet7249]

@@wardonwords never ever ever Having observed you for some time now I am more than happy merely to leech off of everyone else and appear on their own channels Speaking of which Who knows Maybe in 2025 I can appear on your channel a time or two

[@TurtleTrackin]

I'd be interested in how Tyndale translated the word, as he was operating prior to any English dictionary, and also primarily with 16th-18th century uses of the term. It was Tyndale's preference for the term "tresspasses" that still lingers in our recitations of the Lord's Prayer, despite it not appearing in the KJV version of the prayer. I know it's in the Book of Common Prayer, but how many American evangelicals have ever read the BCP?

[@carben9143]

I never thought of the word "Closet" as a false friend. While I've believed the possibility that Jesus meant that in His sermon, i always interpreted that as having uninterrupted time in prayer or studying. Whether it be a closet, bathroom, garage, home alone, etc. Typically a closet / inner room is a room usually away from the main entertainment areas and so finding alone time there is much more likely. But yes, i do think of a closet where clothes belongs. Thank you for your continued efforts in this Mark. It is much appreciated.

[@jonathanrector]

Apologies, Mark if this isn't the best way to reach out for an answer, but I'll shoot my shot haha. First, thank you for replying to previous comments of mine on your videos. They have helped tremendously. My question, boiled down is this. "You've scared me away from reading the KJV. I feel like it may be a waste of time not knowing if the words I'm reading are correct or mean what they do today. I'd love to try and read the KJV for maybe a year, 'just to see', but again, that fear of wasting my time learning what I think is right based off of what I'm reading, as opposed to what the words actually mean". And I say this all with love. Without your videos I think I would have blindly read the KJV because of it's 'authority'. I have learned so much from you, and the NLT and other translations I've dabbled in have been wonderful. Thanks so much for your time.

[@wardonwords]

Don't be scared of the KJV! Just master the ESV or CSB or NIV or NASB first. That's what I'd say! That will equip you to read the KJV well; it will form a baseline for you to which you can compare the KJV. The KJV will almost always agree with those other translations, because the differences among them are not significant.

[@jonathanrector]

@@wardonwords Thanks, Mark. As always. A quick followup, would it be wise to 'master' the NKJV or the NLT in addition to what you suggested? I will admit, I notice A LOT of people I respect and listen to all seem to read the ESV, I'm not sure why I don't join in as well.

[@wardonwords]

@@jonathanrector I think the ESV does the best job among contemporary translations of a) producing consistently beautiful and useful editions and b) giving us a contemporary translation that honors the KJV tradition. Despite my great love for the NIV and NLT and other more functional translations, I still prefer-by a small margin-to treat literal translations as a baseline. This is such a weak preference that I have stopped (long ago) objecting to preachers using the NIV or even the NLT. But I can't get away from it: when the ESV is tough to understand, I think it's generally because the Hebrew or Greek is. This is healthy. But so is understanding! And the NIV and NLT will deliver that to you more readily.

[@jonathanrector]

@@wardonwords Thank you for your thoughtful and lengthy replies, Mark. God bless you and your family, you've given me more to think about, and I'm grateful to you for that. Enjoy the rest of your week!

[@jty1999]

The irony here is that going to pray in a closet doesn’t necessarily contradict what Jesus was saying. For a lot of people who don’t have an inner room or study room, a closet might just be the best thing they’ve got at their disposal for spending uninterrupted time with the Lord. God bless you, Mr. Ward. I’m also in the unemployed club for now, hoping that changes soon. 😂

[@wardonwords]

Right! You're right. My closet, though is too full!

[@jty1999]

@@wardonwords Full of nothing but good things I hope! ;)

[@richiejourney1840]

@@wardonwordswhat is the Greek word translated as “closet” and IT’S meaning(s)?

[@petercarter8455]

I put the following search into AI what does it mean to closet yourself This was the answer: It is when someone steps back from spending time with other people, avoids social interaction, and stays more to themself purposefully as a means of avoidance coping. If someone self-isolates, this can often result from low self-esteem, poor self-confidence, or social anxiety. However I agree with you

[@Outrider74]

Actually, I find the sermon on the mount to be a little bit terrifying. Because all of those things that Jesus commands, I cannot perfectly do. The more I try, the more I realize I fail. And I believe that is the point of the sermon on the mount: to show that we cannot live up to the perfect standard that God set forth for us and that we need Christ to pay the price for our sins on our behalf.

[@wardonwords]

Amen! And yet the moral demands are still present.

[@Outrider74]

@@wardonwords Oh, absolutely! Impenitent sin is certainly not licensed by God,

[@richiejourney1840]

@@wardonwordswhich means…?

[@garrettcosti71]

Hey Mark, I was reading in 1 Samuel today, and reading of when Samuel is warning the people of the consequences they'll bring on themselves when demanding a king, he says the king will, "take your daughters to be *confectionaries*, and to be cooks, and to be bakers" (1 Sam 8:13). ESV and most other translations use some variation of "perfumers." HALOT says the root means "an ointment-mixer, apothecary." Is this a false friend? I guess I just assumed it a confectionary is a sweet-maker but that seemed to be covered by the mention of bakers. Thanks for this ministry.

[@MAMoreno]

Earlier translations used "apothecaries," and that's possibly what the KJV intends here. The OED gives "confectioner" as an obsolete sense of "confectionary," and it marks one sense of "confectioner" as archaic: "A compounder of medicines, poisons, etc." The Vulgate says "unguentarias," i.e. ointment makers. The LXX agrees, calling them μυρεψοὺς (a word related to μύρον, "ointment").

[@storeroomofscripture]

The dictionaries are not just for explaining current usage but as a reference for understanding words in contexts one might run across them outside of everyday usage. Literary works are a particularly common example. Students are routinely assigned readings from literature written a century ago or more, and the modern English dictionary should be a tool for them as well.

[@DrJulianNewmansChannel]

Paused at 1:16 - my guess is that the false friend is "closet". I can't remember what the modern translations say - but you do often hear people talking about "a person's prayer closet".

[@wardonwords]

But I don't-I don't know that I've heard that!

[@DrJulianNewmansChannel]

@@wardonwords Ah, okay; maybe it's more associated with some particular Christian circles, e.g. those of a "revivalist" leaning. It doesn't imply a room built for the function of being where a person can pray - I think it just refers to a place in a person's house where they habitually choose to go for a time of extended private prayer away from the view of others.

[@MAMoreno]

@@DrJulianNewmansChannel Yeah, I'm quite familiar with the term "prayer closet" in modern religious contexts. There was even a decently successful evangelical movie from 2015 called War Room, which happened to feature a clothing closet being adapted into a prayer closet...

[@ksulli]

@@DrJulianNewmansChannel I've heard "prayer closet" many times in this same sense, or perhaps with the more metaphorical meaning of "private prayer time."

[@19king14]

I always enjoy the videos. As far as "closet"... as a then-Lutheran attending our Lutheran religious elementary school (grades k-6), I remember 'praying in a closet' thinking of our closets at home since they were 'roomy' enough for even adults to enter. Still, somewhere along the way, I realized Jesus spoke "symbolically" (after all, Jesus did say to 'pluck out your eye', and 'chop off your hand', an I never took that as something that should really be done, even as a kid) and the closet was another symbolic way of saying 'go off by yourself.' As usual, I compare the scriptures with the NWT. Matt 6:6 and Luke 12:3 both have "private room," Matthew 24:26 "inneroom," Luke 12:24 "storehouse.," Joel 1:16 "and the bride from her *bridal chamber*." Another curious "closet" term we quite frequently use is "Closet Arian" ('arian' in the broadest and rather inaccurate sense). We do meet, now and then, members of the most common 'orthodox' denominations that don't accept the trinity doctrine and keep "closeted" about it. "Oh, we met another 'closet arian' this morning."

[@onthego41]

Thanks!

[@wardonwords]

You bet! Thank *you*!

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

I actually have used and know other people who call their private studies at home "closets". It's been part of Southern US language for a long time. It's not as common as it was 50 years ago, but it's still common enough that you'll hear it and most will know it.

[@wardonwords]

Really? I do NOT deny this. This is super interesting to me. How certain are you of this? When's the last time you heard it?

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

@ Well, it's mostly people of my parents generation (the Baby Boom) who still use it, though like I said, I've used it before as I bought my grandparents old house and my study is in the same room theirs was in and my grandmother would often refer to it as "the closet" when she was looking for a library book she needed to return, so I'll often call it the closet too because that's the name everyone in our family knows that room by. It's not as common as it used to be, but I work at Kroger and I'll still hear some people my parents age use it if I'm talking to them about a book or something, so although it's becoming less common, it's still very much in many Southern folks passive vocabulary even if they themselves don't use it.

[@richiejourney1840]

@@wardonwordsthink “Bible belt” Mark…

[@nonielee5133]

Thank you for the work you do. I have learned so much from you. I am looking forward to continue learning as you go into your next endeavor. God Bless you and your family and your work.

[@wardonwords]

You are very welcome!

[@fraukeschmidt8364]

This is a verse I know very well in German, because it was the verse for my birthday in a little daily devotions booklet. Therefore, I thought it was the word "secret" you misunderstood. In German, the word is "hidden". The language of that booklet was somewhat outdated, but not so outdated that I couldn't understand it. The KJV "closet" was "Kammer" in that German translation (which I presume was Luther) and Kammer I would translate as chamber in English.

[@kainech]

I can't afford much, but we'll pray for you as well. I know leaving a job at Christmas has got to suck. I hope things go well.

[@wardonwords]

Many thanks. So far the Lord has provided for us, absolutely.

[@theg9401]

You know during the pandemic lock downs when everyone was working from home I've read about and watched people use their large enough closets (meant for clothes) to take Zoom meetings from there. And for some to be isolated to from the rest of the household to concentrate more on work. So for that case it is some kind of private study. Also, I have heard testimonies of people using the same closet for prayer / devotions time.

[@wardonwords]

I've thought about doing something similar. But I need video equipment to fit in my office, and a closet can't handle that!

[@FaithLikeAMustardSeed]

⚔️ Wardens of the Word, unite!

[@DanOrcutt723]

That is one I have wondered about, but hadn’t done a deep dive. Thank you, Mark!

[@DanielBuckphd]

I'm only halfway through this, but I think the modern dictionaries are appealing to the "prayer closet" through which this usage endures precisely BECAUSE it is in a popular verse.

[@fanman8102]

Blessings on your new venture!

[@wardonwords]

Thank you so much!

[@ChristopherAlsruhe-si9ff]

Since the KJV is still very popular to say the least, the older use as a room for privacy or small apartment for privacy remains legitimate. The 1828 dictionary refers to the same. If a piece of literature is being read by literally a billion+ people, and it uses the word closet as a private room for study or retirement, then it should be in the modern dictionary.

[@wardonwords]

And yet I didn't understand. Why?

[@MatthewPatenaude]

Speaking of the sermon on the mount... have you looked at "rust" in Mt 6:19-20? 🙂The OED certainly gives a different meaning that what I have always assumed that meant. Thanks for your videos. I'm looking forward to your book coming out!

[@wardonwords]

Boy-I’m not seeing it. What am I missing?

[@MatthewPatenaude]

@@wardonwords You know, I'm not sure what happened there. I was in India a couple weeks ago when I thought I saw a different definition for "rust", so maybe it was jet lag (?). Now that you ask and I've double checked, it looks like the modern definition of "rust" has been around a long time. Sorry for wasting a moment of your time! The translation then is somewhat interpretive on the part of the translators, since βρῶσις doesn't necessarily imply the specific understanding of "rust", whether iron oxide, or the plant disease. Modern versions take different directions with it, as well, with the CSB maintaining "rust", and the NET going with "devouring insect".

[@eclipsesonic]

It's interesting in that the KJV is alone here, because all the translations predating the KJV (bar the Wycliffe) have chamber, not closet.

[@wardonwords]

Interesting!

[@theydontknowmeson007]

So I brought this up to my KJVO wife and she not only has heard the same interpretation but fully agrees that it could be just a small room. So for what it's worth... SOME KJVO preachers teach that a closet can be a small room (like a small office space) rather than just a place you store clothing.

[@richiejourney1840]

When you think deeply on the subject…where is the most “private” place one can go that would be one’s most secret “inner” room?

[@richiejourney1840]

“inner room” can be ANY room inside a building. NKJV simply says “go into your room” and 2 Kings 4:32-33, “…came into the house…and shut the door behind them…and prayed to YHWH.”

[@seanvogel8067]

There are two strategies when making a dictionary: one is primarily prescriptive, and one is primarily descriptive. I believe strongly in the prescriptive dominating. I don't have time to fully go into it, but the reason I have this preference is because just because somebody didn't learn the correct meaning of a word doesn't mean we should change it in the dictionary. We learn meanings of words by context a lot of times, and it turns out we are wrong about the actual true meaning. Unfortunately, there seems to have been a trend toward the descriptive.

[@wardonwords]

You should read the beginning of Garner's Modern English Usage. He speaks very carefully about the values of prescriptive and descriptive approaches.

[@seanvogel8067]

@@wardonwords , ah, headache mostly gone. Sorry… Let me try that again. I appreciate the reference to Garner’s Modern English Usage; it piques my interest. I usually don't comment before a video is over in case something I was going to say was addressed. You did indeed reveal your perspective, and you undoubtedly know more about communication than I do. I'm having great difficulty expressing myself. I think my main point is that if the dictionary changes with the times, that causes words to "change meaning". Just because some comedian said "literally coughing up a lung" and a lot of people, not knowing what the word "literally" means misunderstood that he was using the term incorrectly for humorous effect and started using it wrong, should we change the definition in the dictionary? Or educate people on what the word actually means? It's a pet peeve of mine… Along with people saying "aircrafts" as a plural for aircraft. Don't get me wrong, i'm far from perfect in my use of English, but I think there should be a correct way, and it should be striven for. Yeah I had to make sure striven is a word. 'Cause Siri didn't want to write it. I'll look into your reference. Thanks.

[@JakeSGray]

Mark, do you have a video on “stablish/establish”? I am wondering if it is a false friend. I think of “establish” as meaning “beginning or starting something” but it seems to mean “strengthen” or something along those lines in the KJV? Maybe you’ve already done this one but I can’t find it. Thanks ☺️

[@wardonwords]

My friend Bryan Ross has shown that that is only a spelling difference. There is no meaning difference.

[@lisayun8995]

Ive actually seen designers turn bedroom closets into a tiny study/office

[@nerdyengineer7943]

Funny enough, Mark, that guy that you "won't even name" is quite polite and humble when he wants to be. I once listened to him debate Pastor McMurtry on pretrib rapture theology. He was downright pleasant! Didn't sneer at Pastor Tommy even once :D

[@wardonwords]

I don’t know if we’re talking about the same guy-contact me privately with your guess!

[@nerdyengineer7943]

@@wardonwords Nvmd then lol, what you describe is apparently the habit of various people :(

[@zgennaro]

I knew this because I’m certain in Puritans I have seen “prayer closet” not a few times.

[@wardonwords]

Ah, good!

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

Mark, I always appreciate your work and teaching. I cut my Christian teeth on the NKJV. Then found the NASB 95, and loved it. I read or listened to the entire Bible in that translation. Then when the ESV came out in the early 2000's, I picked it up and loved how it seem to mary the two- NKJV and NASB. Then, almost 20 years later began reading the Holman and CSB. I liked the more dynamic renderings. Now, since a few months ago I have begn using the NLT and am suprised by it. Now, looking back, I find so many instances of the ESV being very awkward in its word choice and order... sometimes speaking like Yoda. I am curious how you see it, since you indicate you prefer the ESV over others. Do you not see the clunky wording?

[@wardonwords]

I do see it, and I kinda like it. That's in large part because I grew up with the KJV! I think we're very much in the realm of personal preference-and first-world problems! I haven't gotten ESVs for all my kids.

[@ksulli]

I've noticed that in most places where the ESV has clunky or awkward wording, it's unchanged from the RSV. I've really enjoyed the CSB, but I don't like "never ever" in Joshua 22:29 or the 16 uses of "slacker" -- too informal!

[@fnjesusfreak]

The translations I used about 15 years ago seem to tend toward "[small] room" or "storeroom, warehouse", which shouldn't surprise you 😜

[@Сохранено1]

You are lacking on this one. This would be considered knit-picking.

[@wardonwords]

And yet, a) look at the comments: a lot of people read this as I did. b) No translator today working in English would use "closet"-for the reasons I mention.

[@Yesica1993]

"nit"

[@Сохранено1]

@@Yesica1993 Thanks. "Knit picking" may refer to the knitting technique of picking up stitches or to the act of nitpicking, which is to criticize something by focusing on minor details:

[@Сохранено1]

@@wardonwords your commentors usually agree with you.

[@BurningHearts99]

@@wardonwordstruly a false friend.

[@davidchilds9590]

Here, in the UK, we would not naturally use 'closet' as a place to store clothes (though we mostly recognise the US usage. We almost always use 'wardrobe' - because we rarely have a wardrobe that is not a piece of furniture. A more common term for ta small room used to store clothes would be "walk-in wardrobe'. The most common (but still rare) use would be short for 'water closet' ('the smallest room'), or by extension to any small room. However, the 'secluded room' meaning a study or (perhaps more often) dressing room remains current in educated discourse. I will concede that the historical usage is dominant in more general contexts.

[@wardonwords]

So interesting!

[@genewood9062]

Brother Mark: Since HTML4 introduced CSS, I know the difference between a pro Web site designer, and me. But as a USER may I say this? Most church web sites only give generic listings of fixed, set, weekly programs for the whole year. Try to find the title, let alone the preaching text, for next Sunday's sermon! Try to discover the info for this year's multi-church Good Friday service! Try to learn where to partake of a Christmas dinner! I would like to see current variable content additionally included.

[@wardonwords]

I get this. But it's hard for churches to keep up with implicit promises of updated content. They're already doing so much with so little!

[@aNeighbour]

Maybe you can get some sponsorships too! I hate ads, but it's a good source of revenue.

[@wardonwords]

I am looking into one sponsorship that fits my channel.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for your post. Closet was the only word that seemed to fit as I could see.

[@wardonwords]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Asher0208]

Easy, Closet. I grew up puzzled by why preachers were so eager for me to hide with my clothes when I needed to pray. It was only later on that someone told me, or I realised through the context, that it was referring to a small inner room. Interestingly, in the 2015 movie War Room, a lady has a small inner room converted into a prayer room that is identified as a closet. I think there is also another lady who follows this example and cleans out her closet so she can have a dedicated room to pray. Maybe the reason this older definition of closet is still in the dictionary is that they feel that there are a sufficient number of people who still use this word when referring to a place to pray. I guess, though, this is mainly limited to people who grew up on the KJV or are influenced by its language. Maybe in 50 years, this sense of the word will be considered to be rare or archaic.

[@wardonwords]

I wondered the same thing: is Matt 6:6 keeping this sense alive for some people?

[@richiejourney1840]

To most American’s the main thing that pops into the head is our teeny, tiny “wardrobe” or “broom” or “coat” “rooms”. Now, my only remaining live at home child does not have a door on his “closet” but if I said to him something about his “closet” his mind will go directly to that little corner of his room. When we want “privacy” we usually go into our “bedrooms”. But, Jesus HOSTED many in the “closet” (inner room of someone’s home). I don’t think He meant to say how most take this word “closet” today. I think when He said it then that He meant “go to the privacy of your own homes instead of acting like a Pharisee in public”.

[@sammcrae8892]

I never had a problem understanding the usage of the word closet in the sermon on the mount, it always seemed obvious that it meant someplace that you could closet yourself in and have some privacy. It's really not that unusual a use of the word. But I suppose that most younger people are not that widely read , and perhaps have not been exposed to the rich and varied usage of the English language and literature. Still, I would have thought that even one unfamiliar with the implied meaning would be able to parse it merely from the context of the statement. Admittedly, some people might take it a bit too simplistically and literally and try to get into their STORAGE closet to pray, but I would have thought that they would understand that it's meant in the sense of just going into your room and closeting yourself by shutting the door. In my opinion, this rather backfires on the argument against the KJB, since reading the Bible in the rich and majestic language of the King James Version will at least help one to expand their vocabulary. Which is something worthwhile in itself, over and above the elucidation you will receive from reading any Bible. The more that the KJV is attacked, the more motivated I am to rely upon it. After all, THEY must be afraid of something! 🙏✝️👑✝️🙏

[@e.m.8094]

I have a walk in closet, but it's teeming with biblical history and theology books. I don't like clutter, so I don't know where I'm going to put future purchases. LOL

[@americanswan]

@markwardonwords I was today years old when I learned the 1611 English word reins means kidneys. Maybe God was speaking to the people in a way they could understand. The ancient cultures might have thought the heart or mind of mankind was in the kidneys. Who knows? I was never told reins means kidneys.

[@wardonwords]

YES!

[@crimson90]

Makes sense. Think of a water closet. It's not where you keep your raincoat and galoshes.

[@biblestudent2723]

I think Wycliffe 's translation brings clarity to this debate! Wycliffe Matt. 6:6 "But whanne thou schalt preye, entre in to thi couche, and whanne the dore is schet, preye thi fadir in hidils, and thi fadir that seeth in hidils, schal yelde to thee." I don't know about entering into a couch!? 😉 Thankfully, I've never heard of a Wycliffe-Onlyist. 😅 (The KJV is 413 y.o.! Wycliffe's translation was only 229 y.o. when the KJV came out.😂)

[@wardonwords]

I can't get into my couche! It's sewed shut!

[@biblestudent2723]

@markwardonwords 😂 too funny. 🛋️

[@ianholloway3778]

I see the French influence. 'chambre à coucher' = bedroom (room for bedding down)

[@richiejourney1840]

Outstanding!

[@candicesmith8543]

🤓 always enjoy these...

[@wardonwords]

My pleasure!

[@lisayun8995]

We also say water closet speaking of the toilet room in a bathroom

[@BroDaveMartinSRBC]

I have heard preachers and Bible teachers refer to a “prayer closet” all my Christian life. I’ve never had a problem with it.

[@richiejourney1840]

And what was your “prayer closet”? Does one need a “prayer closet” to actually pray? Does one need to wait till they get home and in their “prayer closet” to pray? Is the Church building considered a “prayer closet”? I’m just curious what a “prayer closet” means. What did they teach you?

[@BroDaveMartinSRBC]

@ Really? It’s a place where a person resorts to prayer. Usually a place where you can be undisturbed and read your Bible and pray without distractions. Could be an office, a bedroom, or a literal closet, or an outhouse, etc. Jesus said to enter into YOUR closet, whatever or wherever that is for you.

[@onthego41]

God bless you and your endeavor to show the truth.

[@xUncleA123x]

Only 9 mins in, but in contemporary English I know the phrase "prayer closet" (always qualifiied with prayer), but I think that is influenced specifically by this very passage in the KJV.

[@HeavyHeartsShow]

Hey sir I have a burning question. I hear that modern translations lean *heavily* on Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, but heavily ≠ exclusively. Exactly how *heavily* does the NASB95 in particular lean on those two manuscripts, and what other manuscripts are unique to modern critical texts?

[@wardonwords]

This is a really difficult question to answer; I think the answer will be more detailed and yet more dull than you'd expect. I did do a video that hits one angle of your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXW3aYZ8jL2hpas

[@MAMoreno]

Considering that the NASB95 contains a number of verses (in brackets) that don't appear in those two ancient codices, it's arguably more eclectic and less consistently representative of Sinaiticus and Vaticanus than most other translations based on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. The NKJV and MEV are even further away from those manuscripts, of course, but the NASB95 doesn't choose to footnote non-Alexandrian readings as often as, say, the ESV does.

[@richiejourney1840]

That is the confusing point. It totally depends on the translators philosophy ultimately. Now, I find that those translations that leave out word(s)/verses/passages and relegate them to a footnote alone are leaning on the philosophy/theory that “older is the best and most truthful” and tend to stick mainly to W&H/NA28/UBS5th. A TRUELY fearful, honest, and neutral translator would include everything IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE TEXT and then relegate “issues” to the footnotes.

[@wardonwords]

@@richiejourney1840 Unless he sincerely believed those words to have been added later; then he would put them in a footnote. The KJV translators themselves list variant Greek readings in the margins. The Jewish Masoretes did the same with their copies of the Hebrew Bible. This is a known issue in the history of Bible-believing people. Good people have taken different approaches to how to handle it.

[@WesternPastor]

Hey Mark! I couldn't think of another way to reach out, so I am leaving this comment here. I have a potential false friend for you. Recently, I was listenign to a video of a guy arguing that we don't need certain Bible study books like systematic theologies because of the "simpicity that is in Christ." (2 Cor 11:3) I looked up how the greek word is used elsewhere in the KJV and it is translated as "liberal or bountiful" especially in 2 Cor 9. There are also other verses that use "simplicity" that just does not fit with the modern understanding. Rom 12:8 would suggest that giving in "simplicity" gift cards are by far the most godly form of giving since they are simple. That it maybe a good one to add to your list of 100 false friends. #falsefriends #MarkWard

[@wardonwords]

This looked promising-but actually BDAG still gives "simplicity" as a gloss for the word the KJV translators were translating. You're right about the KJV's other renderings of this word, but they're reflecting a separate sense that BDAG names-"generosity, liberality."

[@PrimitiveChristian-m3p]

Closet, broom closet, hall closet, janitor's closet and prayer closet. I never heard of a study closet.

[@cwilson0713]

Closet...also praying for you, your family and new endeavours ❤

[@wardonwords]

Thank you so much!

[@neneodonkor]

I personally don't see it as a false friend. I understood it as a private room.

[@wardonwords]

I'm genuinely happy for all the people who are telling me this-as long as they believe me when I tell them that I did not understand it! Check the comments on this video; many others were in the same boat!

[@Yesica1993]

The OED is 20 volumes?! And costs over $1,000! So much for me wanting one! No, online doesn't even count. ;)

[@fr.johnwhiteford6194]

I don't think you will ever be able to completely move beyond this topic. :)

[@losthylian]

My guess is "closet". Go into the mini-room full of clothes to pray is probably not quite what he meant!

[@ianholloway3778]

Small rooms in a house are box room, study or walk-in wardrobe.

[@brethilnen]

I have seen a movie about a prayer closet

[@therealkillerb7643]

Thank you. Washington State, eh? Welcome to the People's Democratic Republic of Political Correctness. If you need a breath of air occasionally, come visit us on the RIGHT side of the State! 🙂

[@chancylvania]

Web design? Are you a fellow programmer?

[@wardonwords]

No, designer. I don't do any programming-unless you count a little bit of CSS!

[@jdwagman]

I found another one ... not sure if you have this one cataloged or not. KJV Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen "again" (back) from the dead. He does not raise "again" as in being raised more than one time. He is raised "back" to life from being dead - and this happened only once. AGAIN Etymology From Middle English agayn, again, ayain, ayen, anȝen, from Old English āġēan, ongean, ongegn (“towards, against, opposite to, contrary to, against, in exchange for, opposite, back, again, anew, also”).

[@theydontknowmeson007]

Theres a small chance i know who your talking about. Imagine a doctor telling you why your blood pressure is up. They sit you down and explain "its the energy drinks you like" and then explain the chemical process that causes the high blood pressure and their response is "Where did you go to school anyway? You're stupid and don't know what you're talking about!" You description of a "closet" actually matches that of the old paintings where an old man is sitting down at a desk with his hands folded, praying with only a candle lit. That would be his "prayer closet"

[@fiveSolas879]

WC water closet.

[@fraukeschmidt8364]

Another comment: I wonder whether there are any false friends that come from differences between American and British English.

[@wardonwords]

I feel certain this is so.

[@lufax]

I'm gonna guess the word is "Closet". As it should be just a regular room

[@IsGul_Davos]

I think the false friend is "openly". Updated I was not right

[@wardonwords]

It's ok!

[@leechjim8023]

I always understood it to mean a private space.

[@wardonwords]

I'm genuinely glad to see that not everyone else misunderstood it as I did! I suppose I just want those who tell me they understood it to believe me when I say I didn't! ;)

[@ounkwon6442]

We are dealing with archaism. Here, another example of archaism in KJV - Mt 6:6 /xx: 'will reward you' -- 'will answer you'; also famous 'the Holy Ghost'!