The term "whoso" is an archaic English word often used in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version, to mean "whoever" or "anyone who." It is a term that signifies inclusivity and universality, indicating that the statement or command applies to all individuals without exception. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term "whoso" is typically rendered as "whoever" to reflect contemporary language usage.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. General Application: The term "whoso" is frequently used in the Bible to introduce statements of moral or spiritual principle that apply universally. It underscores the idea that God's laws and promises are applicable to all people, regardless of their status or background.

2. Moral and Ethical Teachings: In the teachings of Jesus, "whoso" is often used to emphasize the broad application of His moral teachings. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses inclusive language to extend His teachings to all listeners. While the BSB uses "whoever," the essence remains the same: the teachings are meant for everyone.

3. Warnings and Consequences: The Bible uses "whoso" to issue warnings about the consequences of sin and disobedience. This usage serves as a reminder that divine justice is impartial and that everyone is accountable to God's standards. For instance, in the context of judgment, the term underscores that no one is exempt from the consequences of their actions.

4. Promises and Blessings: Conversely, "whoso" is also used to convey the universality of God's promises and blessings. It assures believers that God's grace and mercy are available to all who seek Him and follow His commandments. This inclusive language is a source of hope and encouragement, affirming that anyone can receive God's favor.

Examples in Scripture

· Matthew 10:32 : "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven." This verse highlights the universal promise of Jesus' acknowledgment for those who publicly confess their faith in Him.

· Proverbs 28:13 : "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find mercy." Here, the term "whoever" indicates that the principle of confession and forgiveness is applicable to all individuals.

· John 3:36 : "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him." This verse underscores the universal offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, as well as the consequences of rejecting Him.

Theological Implications

The use of "whoso" in the Bible reflects the inclusive nature of God's message to humanity. It emphasizes that God's laws, promises, and warnings are not limited to a specific group but are intended for all people. This universality is a foundational aspect of Christian theology, highlighting the impartiality of God's justice and the boundless reach of His grace. The term serves as a reminder of the personal responsibility each individual has in responding to God's call and the assurance that His promises are available to all who believe and obey.(pron.) Whosoever.3605. kol -- the whole, all
... all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing),
howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever ...
/hebrew/3605.htm - 7k

376. ish -- man
... great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none,
one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

Which Thing Whoso Thinks Cannot have Been done by the Apostles...
... Section 6. Which thing whoso thinks cannot have been done by the Apostles?
6. Which thing whoso thinks cannot have been done by ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 6 which thing whoso.htm

Doth Then, O Lord God of Truth, Whoso Knoweth These Things...
... Book V Chapter IV Doth then, O Lord God of truth, whoso knoweth these things?
Doth then, O Lord God of truth, whoso knoweth these ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iv doth then o.htm

That Whoso Knoweth not the Powers of a Soul and the Manner of Her ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER That whoso knoweth not the powers
of a soul and the manner of her working, may lightly be deceived in ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seven and 5.htm

True Hearing
... ECKHART'S SERMONS IV TRUE HEARING. TRUE HEARING Ecclesiasticus xxiv.30.""Whoso heareth
Me shall not be confounded.". ... Whoso worketh in Me sinneth not. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/iv true hearing.htm

Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
... Therefore at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days of the Patriarchs,
[2010] pronounced accursed, whoso raised not up seed in Israel, even he ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 27 therefore at that.htm

Truly we must Consider, that God Gives us Some Goods...
... These goods, therefore, which are necessary for the sake of something else, whoso
useth not for this purpose, wherefore they were instituted, sins; in some ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 9 truly we must.htm

Of the Wonderful Love that Christ had to Man in Person of all ...
... For whoso would utterly behold all the behaviour that was betwixt Him and her, not
as a trifler may tell, but as the story of the gospel will witness"the ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and.htm

All who Enter the Church of God and Hear the Holy Scriptures...
... Whoso comes to church, and attentively hears the holy Scriptures, and then despises,
goes forth from, and turns his back upon the Communion, let him be cast out ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii all who enter.htm

Yet He Added, "But Such Shall have Tribulation of the Flesh...
... falsely, "And, if thou shalt have taken a wife, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin
shall have been married, she sinneth not." And this, whoso believe or ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /section 16 yet he added.htm

On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42
... This is the Catholic faith. Whoso denieth that Christ is God is a Photinian;
[3080] whoso denieth that Christ is man is a Manich??an. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlii on the same.htm

Whoso (337 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whoso (337 Occurrences). Whoso appears 337 times in 12
translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/w/whoso.htm - 6k

Despising (25 Occurrences)
... healing. (YLT RSV). Proverbs 11:12 Whoso is despising his neighbour lacketh
heart, And a man of understanding keepeth silence. (YLT). ...
/d/despising.htm - 14k

Favouring (4 Occurrences)
... Favouring (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 14:21 Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth,
Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness. (YLT). ...
/f/favouring.htm - 7k

Pursuing (50 Occurrences)
... truth. (WEB). Proverbs 11:19 Rightly 'is' righteousness for life, And whoso
is pursuing evil -- for his own death. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/p/pursuing.htm - 21k

Trusting (45 Occurrences)
... them. (YLT). Proverbs 16:20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso
is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/t/trusting.htm - 19k

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love
of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/k/keepeth.htm - 23k

Lacks (27 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 9:4 Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for
him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him: (See NAS). ...
/l/lacks.htm - 13k

Tilling (4 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 12:11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied 'with' bread,
And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart, (YLT). ...
/t/tilling.htm - 7k

Refusing (21 Occurrences)
... They 'are' as my sickening food. (YLT). Proverbs 13:18 Whoso is refusing instruction --
poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured. (YLT). ...
/r/refusing.htm - 12k

Pursues (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 12:11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied 'with'
bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart, (See NAS). ...
/p/pursues.htm - 10k

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