The term "usest" is an archaic form of the verb "use," found in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). It is a second person singular form, typically used in addressing God or an individual directly. While the Berean Standard Bible does not employ this archaic language, understanding its usage can provide insight into the historical context and linguistic style of earlier biblical translations.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the context of the Bible, "usest" would have been employed in passages where a speaker is directly addressing another person or God, often in prayer, dialogue, or instruction. This form of the verb reflects the formal and reverent tone characteristic of early English translations.

Theological Implications

The use of "usest" in prayer or dialogue with God underscores the personal and direct relationship between the speaker and the divine. It reflects a time when language was more formal, yet deeply personal, indicating both reverence and intimacy. This linguistic style can remind modern readers of the importance of approaching God with both respect and closeness.

Examples in Scripture

While the Berean Standard Bible does not use "usest," examining similar contexts in the BSB can help illustrate the concept. For instance, in passages where individuals speak directly to God or others, the modern equivalent of "usest" would simply be "use."

Consider the following example from the BSB, where the sentiment of direct address is preserved:

· Psalm 51:6 : "Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place."

In older translations, this might have been rendered with "usest" to convey the direct and personal nature of the address to God.

Historical and Linguistic Significance

The use of "usest" and similar archaic forms in early English translations of the Bible reflects the linguistic norms of the time. These forms were part of the Early Modern English period, which was characterized by a more complex system of verb conjugation than contemporary English. Understanding these forms can enhance one's appreciation for the historical development of the English language and its impact on biblical interpretation.

Relevance for Modern Readers

While modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible use contemporary language for clarity and accessibility, the study of archaic forms like "usest" can enrich one's understanding of the Bible's translation history. It also serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of language and the enduring need to communicate the timeless truths of Scripture in ways that resonate with each generation.4941. mishpat -- judgment
... due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful),
manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

We Give Offence by Proclaiming that There is one God...
... Him to be God alone to whom thou givest no other name than God; and though thou
sometimes callest these others gods, thou plainly usest the designation as one ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter ii we give offence.htm

Instruction I
... They are all those things that thou hast in thyself, that thou thinkest of, and
that thou usest, but of which God is neither the true beginning nor the end. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/instruction i.htm

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... But thou, O Lord, visitest me with such a fatherly chastisement, as thou usest to
visit thy dearest children whom thou best lovedst; giving me, by this sickness ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

John Chapter xiv. 4-6.
... art over me; and I ask, seeking, as far as I can, to let my soul diffuse itself
in that same region over me where I may listen to Thee, who usest no external ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxix john chapter xiv.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... Church, and seem to say to her "Thou hast praised me, I will praise thee; thou thinkest
much of me, I think quite as much of thee; thou usest great expressions ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ...
... and be thereupon afflicted by thee with any plague, because of their sin, as with
dearth or pestilence, or any other affliction which thou usest to inflict on ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how solomon removed.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, vii.
... Use visible creatures as they should be used, as thou usest earth, sea, sky, air,
springs, and rivers: and whatever in them is fair and wondrous, ascribe to ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxvii on the feast.htm

How, Upon Herod's Going Down into David's Sepulcher, the Sedition ...
... It is not thy only aim to reproach me, when thou usest such words to my son, but
thereby to persuade him to plot against me, and get me destroyed by poison. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how upon herods.htm

John ii. 23
... Callest thou Him "Master," sayest thou that He is "come from God," and yet receivest
thou not His words, but usest to thy Teacher a manner of speaking which ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv john ii 23.htm

1 Cor. Iii. 18, 19
... For since thou usest them cruelly, and sayest, "That my own things should be altogether
spent on my own enjoyment is fair:" therefore I call them not thine own ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 1 cor iii.htm

Usest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Usest (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me,
and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. ...
/u/usest.htm - 6k

Useth (9 Occurrences)

/u/useth.htm - 8k

Uses (15 Occurrences)

/u/uses.htm - 10k

Wont (19 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Psalms 119:132 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon
me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. (See JPS DBY RSV). ...
/w/wont.htm - 12k

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as
thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

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