The term "shalt" is an archaic form of the word "shall," primarily used in older English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It is a second person singular future tense auxiliary verb, often used to express commands, promises, or determinations. In the context of the Bible, "shalt" frequently appears in the Ten Commandments and other divine instructions, reflecting the authoritative and binding nature of God's words to His people.

Usage in Scripture

1. Commandments and Laws: The word "shalt" is prominently featured in the Ten Commandments, where it conveys the imperative nature of God's laws. For example, in Exodus 20:3-17, the commandments are presented with "thou shalt" or "thou shalt not," underscoring the obligatory adherence expected from the Israelites. The Berean Standard Bible translates these commands with a similar imperative tone, though it may use more contemporary language.

2. Divine Promises: "Shalt" is also used in the context of divine promises, where God assures His people of future blessings or outcomes. For instance, in Genesis 12:2, God promises Abram, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." The use of "shalt" in older translations emphasizes the certainty and divine authority behind these promises.

3. Prophetic Declarations: In prophetic literature, "shalt" is often used to declare future events or judgments. The prophets, speaking on behalf of God, use this term to convey the inevitability of God's plans. For example, in Isaiah 9:6, the prophecy of the coming Messiah is presented with a sense of assured fulfillment: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder."

4. Covenantal Language: The use of "shalt" in covenantal contexts highlights the mutual obligations between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the command to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is expressed with "shalt," indicating a covenantal duty: "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

Theological Implications

The use of "shalt" in the Bible underscores the authoritative nature of God's word. It reflects the expectation of obedience and the seriousness of divine commands. In a theological sense, "shalt" conveys the binding nature of God's covenant with His people, where His commands are not mere suggestions but divine imperatives that require faithful adherence.

Contemporary Relevance

While modern translations may not use "shalt," the underlying principles remain relevant. The commands, promises, and prophecies of the Bible continue to hold authority and significance for believers today. Understanding the historical and linguistic context of "shalt" can enrich one's appreciation of the Bible's message and its call to live in accordance with God's will.(v.) 2d per. sing. of Shall.3741. hosios -- righteous, pious, holy
... hieros, which denotes formal consecration; and from hagios, which relates to purity
from defilement), ie Hallowed (pious, sacred, sure) -- holy, mercy, shalt be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3741.htm - 7k

3801. ho on kai ho en kai ho erchomenos -- to come
... that was and the one coming, ie The Eternal, as a divine epithet of Christ -- which
art (is, was), and (which) wast (is, was), and art (is) to come (shalt be). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3801.htm - 6k

3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is
... suit the connection) -- (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall,
there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have ...
/hebrew/3426.htm - 6k

When Thou Shalt Come, O Lord,
... When Thou shalt come, O Lord,. tr., John Brownlie 6,6,8,6. hotan elthes ho theos
epi ges. ... I. When Thou shalt come, O Lord,. Wrapt in Thy glory bright,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/when thou shalt come o.htm

Thou Shalt not Kill.
... Thou shalt not kill. We have now completed both the spiritual and the temporal
government, that is, the divine and the paternal authority and obedience. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not kill.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... Thou shalt not steal. After your person and spouse temporal property comes
next. That also God wishes to have protected, and He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

"Thou Shalt Come up Above"
... THE FIFTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXIV "Thou shalt come up above". "Thou
shalt come up above" AFORE this time I had great longing ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxiv thou shalt come.htm

Thou Shalt not Take the Name of the Lord, Thy God, in Vain.
... Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain. As the First
Commandment has instructed the heart and taught [the basis ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not take the.htm

Fragment i. I Adjure Thee, who Shalt Transcribe this Book, by Our ...
... Fragment I. I adjure thee, who shalt transcribe this book, by our Lord
Jesus Christ? I adjure thee, who shalt transcribe this ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment i i adjure thee.htm

"He Said Not: Thou Shalt not be Tempested, Thou Shalt not be ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXVIII "He said not: Thou shalt not be tempested,
thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted". "He said not: ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxviii he said not .htm

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
... Thou shalt not commit adultery. These commandments now [that follow] are
easily understood from [the explanation of] the preceding ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not commit adultery.htm

Whether to the Words, "Thou Shalt Love the Lord Thy God with Thy ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF CHARITY (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether to the words, "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with thy whole heart," it was fitting to add "and with thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to the words thou.htm

January 13. "Thou Shalt be to Him Instead of God" (Ex. Iv. 16).
... JANUARY 13. "Thou shalt be to him instead of God" (Ex. iv. 16). "Thou
shalt be to him instead of God" (Exodus 4:16). Such was ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /january 13 thou shalt be.htm

Shalt (7998 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shalt (7998 Occurrences). Shalt is used 7998 times in
12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/s/shalt.htm - 6k

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:23 And thou shalt make a table of acacia-wood, two cubits the length thereof,
and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height ...
/a/acacia-wood.htm - 13k

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:15 And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful
workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it: of gold, of blue ...
/b/breastpiece.htm - 12k

Chooses (36 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 12:14 but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes,
there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all ...
/c/chooses.htm - 17k

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor ...
/m/man-servant.htm - 12k

Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... thereof. (KJV WBS YLT). Exodus 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim
wood, and overlay them with gold. (KJV WBS YLT). Exodus ...
/s/shittim.htm - 20k

Manservant (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor ...
/m/manservant.htm - 12k

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor ...
/m/maid-servant.htm - 22k

Byssus (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:1 And thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of twined byssus,
and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of artistic work shalt thou ...
/b/byssus.htm - 19k

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon
thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in ...
/b/burnt-offerings.htm - 38k

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