Verb Forms
Why You Need to Understand KJV Verbs
The endings -eth and -est are characteristic of the older English used in the KJV. Recognising them helps readers connect a verb with its subject and understand the structure of a verse.
The “-eth” Suffix
Function & Usage
-eth (or -th) marks the third-person singular present indicative: a verb used with he, she, it or a singular noun. It usually corresponds to modern -s or -es.
| Number | Point of view | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | Third person | He, she, it; a singular noun |
- John 3:16: believeth means believes.
- Genesis 5:24 uses walked, a past-tense form. By contrast, walketh means walks, as in Psalm 1:1.
- Matthew 7:8: asketh, receiveth, seeketh, findeth and knocketh mean asks, receives, seeks, finds and knocks.
Grammatical Rule
In this pattern, the ending belongs to third-person singular verbs, not to verbs agreeing with I, thou, we or ye. Irregular forms include hath (has), doth (does) and saith (says).
The “-est” Suffix
Function & Usage
-est (or -st) marks a second-person singular verb used with thou. Modern standard English normally uses the same verb form with singular and plural you.
| Number | Point of view | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | Second person | Thou — you, addressing one |
- John 13:6: dost thou wash means do you wash.
- John 21:17: lovest thou me? means do you love me?
- Exodus 20:3: thou shalt uses the second-person singular form of shall; here it introduces a command.
Grammatical Rule
The ending identifies person and number, not present tense alone. Compare present thou knowest with past thou madest in Psalm 8:6. Forms such as didst also refer to the past.
Shalt is a form of the modal verb shall, not an example of the -est suffix. Depending on context it can express a command, promise or future event. These forms are older English patterns, not language unique to the KJV.
Common Verb Forms
Compare the singular forms with those used with ye or they. Scripture references in each row follow the same order: second-person singular, third-person singular, then plural.
| Base verb | With thou | With he / she / it | With ye / they | KJV examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| be | art | is | are | Mark 8:29; Acts 10:36; Matthew 5:13 |
| have | hast | hath | have | John 6:68; Ephesians 2:14; John 15:16 |
| do | doest / dost | doeth / doth | do | 1 Kings 19:9; Job 5:9; Matthew 22:29 |
| say | sayest | saith | say | John 14:9; John 14:6; Luke 22:70 |
| will | wilt | will | will | Matthew 8:2; Psalm 50:15; John 5:40 |
| shall | shalt | shall | shall | Exodus 20:13; Matthew 1:21; Matthew 11:29 |
| can | canst | can | can | Matthew 8:2; Hebrews 5:2; Matthew 16:3 |
| know | knowest | knoweth | know | John 21:17; 2 Timothy 2:19; Mark 13:35 |
| see | seest | seeth | see | Luke 7:44; Job 35:5; James 2:24 |
| go | goest | goeth | go | John 13:36; Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:15 |
Mark 16:15 illustrates the plural imperative go ye, not a present indicative statement.
Grammatical Rules
- -est / -st commonly agrees with second-person singular thou.
- -eth / -th commonly marks third-person singular present indicative verbs.
- Plural present forms generally use the base verb; be is irregular (ye are).
- Modal verbs such as will, shall and can do not add -eth in the third person.
Analysis of Scriptural Examples
John 1:38 places both patterns together: saith means says, describing Jesus, while dwellest thou? means do you dwell?, addressing Jesus. Seek ye? addresses more than one disciple.
In Matthew 6:6, thou prayest means you pray, and seeth means sees, referring to the Father. The verb endings distinguish the person praying from the Father who sees.
In John 1:42, thou art means you are; thou shalt be called announces what Simon will be called. The singular forms make clear that Jesus is addressing Simon individually.
Theological & Interpretive Significance
For readers who value the KJV, these forms support careful attention to Scripture by:
- Clarifying the subject through distinctions of person and number.
- Retaining grammatical distinctions that can help readers follow the underlying Hebrew and Greek.
- Contributing to the traditional style many readers associate with reverent public reading.
In John 21:17, lovest and thou show that Jesus addresses Peter individually. The personal force of the question comes from the whole passage, not from the suffix alone. The endings are grammatical markers, not special forms reserved for addressing God.
The Value of KJV Verb Distinctions
Remember the main pattern: he believeth = he believes; thou believest = you believe, addressing one person. Read the whole verb phrase to determine tense and meaning.
Understanding these forms can make the KJV easier to read and help identify who acts or is addressed. The endings assist interpretation, while the surrounding verse remains essential.
Go deeper
Explore Pronouns, consult the Glossary, or return to the full case.