The term "sawest" is an archaic second person singular past form of the verb "see," commonly found in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). In the Berean Standard Bible , this form is typically rendered in modern English as "saw." The usage of "sawest" is primarily associated with direct speech or narrative passages where an individual is addressed directly, often in a divine or prophetic context.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, seeing is often associated with understanding, perception, and revelation. The act of seeing can be both physical and spiritual, indicating not only the observation of events or objects but also the comprehension of divine truths or visions. The term "sawest" would have been used in contexts where God, a prophet, or another figure is recounting what someone has witnessed or understood.

Examples in Scripture

While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "sawest," examining its usage in the King James Version can provide insight into its biblical context. For instance, in the book of Daniel, visions and dreams are significant, and the act of seeing is crucial for understanding God's messages. In Daniel 2:31 (KJV), Daniel recounts to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image." In the BSB, this is rendered as, "As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared."

Similarly, in the prophetic books, the term is often used to describe the visions granted to prophets. In Ezekiel 8:6 (KJV), God asks Ezekiel, "Son of man, seest thou what they do?" In the BSB, this is translated as, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing?"

Theological Implications

The act of seeing in the Bible often carries theological significance. It can denote the reception of divine revelation or the acknowledgment of God's work in the world. When God or His messengers ask what someone "sawest," it is not merely a question of physical sight but an invitation to reflect on the spiritual and moral implications of the vision or event.

In the New Testament, seeing is frequently linked to faith and understanding. Jesus often spoke of those who have eyes but do not see, indicating a lack of spiritual insight (e.g., Mark 8:18). The ability to see, therefore, is a metaphor for spiritual awareness and the acceptance of God's truth.

Conclusion

While the term "sawest" itself is not present in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, its underlying concept remains significant. The biblical emphasis on seeing as a means of understanding God's will and purpose continues to be a vital theme throughout Scripture.

And Thou, O God, Sawest Every Thing that Thou Hadst Made...
... Book XIII Chapter XXVIII And Thou, O God, sawest every thing that Thou
hadst made? And Thou, O God, sawest every thing that Thou ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxviii and thou o.htm

And I Looked Narrowly to Find, Whether Seven, or Eight Times Thou ...
... Book XIII Chapter XXIX And I looked narrowly to find, whether seven, or
eight times Thou sawest that Thy? And I looked narrowly ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxix and i looked.htm

John and Daniel have Predicted the Dissolution and Desolation of ...
... He teaches us what the ten horns shall be which were seen by Daniel, telling us
that thus it had been said to him: "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxvi john and daniel have.htm

The Summary of Its Contents (I. 19).
... This verse is usually taken as referring to three things, marking off the book
into three divisions: The things which thou sawest (past). ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the summary of its contents.htm

The Image and the Stone
... And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron,
the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the image and the stone.htm

He Proceeds to the Last Verse, "All Things are Very Good," --That ...
... 43. And Thou, O God, sawest everything that Thou hadst made, and behold it was very
good. [1417] So we also see the same, and behold all are very good. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxviii he proceeds to the.htm

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
... "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness
was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 40 nebuchadnezzars dream.htm

Although it is Said Eight Times that "God Saw that it was Good ...
... 44. And I looked attentively to find whether seven or eight times Thou sawest that
Thy works were good, when they were pleasing unto Thee; but in Thy seeing I ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxix although it is said.htm

But Having Now done with this Account of the Consummation...
... He presignified the matter clearly to Nabuchodonosor in the following terms: "Thou,
O king, sawest, and behold a great image standing before thee, whose head ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xii but having now.htm

As a Boy, Then, I had Already Heard of an Eternal Life...
... Thou sawest, Lord, how while yet a boy, being seized on a time with sudden oppression
of the stomach, and like near to death"Thou sawest, my God (for Thou ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xi as a boy.htm

Sawest (20 Occurrences)
...Sawest (20 Occurrences). ... Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. ...
/s/sawest.htm - 12k

Whore (14 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore
sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (KJV YLT). ...
/w/whore.htm - 11k

Firmness (2 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters clay, and
part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the ...
/f/firmness.htm - 7k

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. ...
/c/candlesticks.htm - 10k

Forasmuch (64 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and
part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the ...
/f/forasmuch.htm - 28k

Churches (39 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV). Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars
which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. ...
/c/churches.htm - 20k

Kingship (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is the great city,
which has kingship over the kings of the earth. (DBY). ...
/k/kingship.htm - 11k

Brake (80 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote
the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. ...
/b/brake.htm - 34k

Lovedst (4 Occurrences)
... thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made
thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. ...
/l/lovedst.htm - 7k

Founding (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:8 The beast which thou sawest was, and is not, and is about to come
up out of the abyss and go into destruction: and they who dwell on the earth ...
/f/founding.htm - 8k

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