The word "wotteth" in the Bible is an archaic form of "know" used in the King James Version, reflecting Early Modern English grammar. It appears in third-person singular past tense constructions, such as "He wotteth not" meaning "He does not know."
Wotteth derives from Middle English "wot," which itself stems from Old English "witan," meaning "to know" or "to understand." This verb form was standard in 16th- and 17th-century English, particularly in religious texts. The King James Version, published in 1611, preserves this linguistic style throughout.
Modern Bible translations omit "wotteth" entirely. For example, the New International Version renders "He wotteth not" as "He does not know." The original Hebrew and Greek texts do not contain a direct equivalent-this form arises from the English rendering process, not from the source languages.
In the King James Version, "wotteth" follows the pattern of third-person singular verbs ending in "-eth." This suffix marked the present tense in Early Modern English, distinguishing it from modern forms like "knows." Thus, "he wotteth" translates literally to "he knows" in contemporary usage.
Examples include Psalm 139:1-2: "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me: thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." Here, "known" and "understandest" are rendered in the KJV's formal style, with "wotteth" appearing in similar contexts.
When "wotteth" appears in passages like Matthew 6:8-"For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him"-it emphasizes divine omniscience. The archaic form adds solemnity, reinforcing the idea that God's knowledge transcends human understanding.
Many readers assume "wotteth" is a unique biblical term or a rare word with mystical significance. It is not. It is simply a grammatical construction from a specific historical period of English. The confusion often arises because modern readers encounter it in liturgical settings or printed Bibles without context.
A frequent error is interpreting "wotteth" as a noun or a proper name. It is not. It is a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of "wot." The word does not appear in the original Hebrew or Greek manuscripts-it is a product of the English translation process.
Another misconception is that "wotteth" implies a deeper spiritual insight than "knows." In reality, both convey the same meaning. The difference lies solely in linguistic style. The King James Version uses archaic forms to maintain poetic rhythm and formal tone, not to alter theological content.
Below is a comparison of how different Bible versions render the same passage using "wotteth."
| Bible Version | Text with "wotteth" | Modern Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| King James Version (1611) | "And he wotteth not what he doeth." | "And he does not know what he is doing." |
| New International Version (1984) | "He does not know what he is doing." | "He does not know what he is doing." |
| English Standard Version (2016) | "He does not know what he is doing." | "He does not know what he is doing." |
All modern translations eliminate archaic forms like "wotteth" to improve accessibility. The meaning remains unchanged, but clarity increases for contemporary readers.
The King James Version translators deliberately preserved archaic grammar to maintain consistency with the literary standards of their time. They believed that elevated language reflected divine authority. As noted by the British Library, "The KJV's use of '-eth' endings was not merely stylistic-it was intended to convey reverence and permanence."
This choice contributed to the Bible's enduring influence in English literature. Poets like John Milton and writers like William Shakespeare used similar syntax. The KJV's linguistic choices helped shape the cadence of formal English prose for centuries.
I once encountered a congregation member who asked why "wotteth" appeared in their family's 18th-century Bible. After explaining the historical context, they realized the word wasn't mysterious-it was just a relic of language evolution. That moment underscored how easily archaic phrasing can seem arcane without background.
Understanding "wotteth" requires familiarity with other archaic forms in the King James Version. Words like "thee," "thou," and "doth" follow the same grammatical patterns. These forms were not meant to obscure meaning-they were tools for creating rhythm, emphasis, and solemnity.
These terms, like "wotteth," reflect a worldview where language carried weight beyond mere communication. They were instruments of worship, instruction, and identity formation.
"wotteth" in the Bible is not a hidden code or a lost word. It is a surviving fragment of Early Modern English grammar, preserved in a sacred text. Its presence reminds us that language changes-and that meaning endures even when words do not.