O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a 2000 crime comedy-drama film written, produced, co-edited and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, and starring George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, with Chris Thomas King, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, and Charles Durning in supporting roles.
Specifically it is the old familiar form of the second person pronoun, you being the formal form. German has Du and Sie, Spanish has tu and usted, French has tu and vous. English used to have thou and you.
I learned the Ten Commandments as such: "Thou shalt not steal" etc. I guess in some parts of the Country it's learned as: "Y'all best not steal, ya hear."
Notwithstanding the OP's attempt at humor, with his question about "thou" . . . I do not consider myself a scholar, but I do have a solemn and objective opinion on the archaic uses of the/thou/thine in scripture.
"Thou" is always the singular tense, in the archaic English vernacular, of the modern English vernacular "you." For reference, "Ye" is always the archaic plural English vernacular of "you" (you all)
The King James version of the Bible is very consistent in the use of the singular and plural vernacular, "thee/thou/thine" (Greek soisingular) and "ye/you/yours" (Greek humonplural) . . . as an example, consider the passages in John 3:1-7:
New King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Here, in a modern version of the Bible, two distinct and different Greek words are translated "you" throughout these seven verses, without distinction as to which signify a singular or plural meaning. Verse seven, in particular, in the modern English, uses the word "you" twice in a row, to translate two distinct and different Greek words, soi (singular) and humon (plural) This clouds the interpretation of exactly what Jesus meant.
Look at the advantage the King James translators offer the reader by using the exact (though archaic) and correct English words to distinguish the major difference between the two words the Lord used, and a huge difference in meaning of the entire teaching of being born again. It was not just singularly for Nicodemus, but for all mankind.
Also of note, throughout the standard King James Bible, the translators never referred to God/Jesus as "you/yours" (common/familiar tense) but always as "thee/thou" (reverent/formal tense) . . . while virtually every Latin based language has a distinction between the familiar "you" and formal "you," modern English is the exception. For example, in Spanish the common/familiar form of "you" is "tu." The reverent/formal tense of "you" is "usted." In modern English there is no word to distinguish between the two. Some of the modern English Versions translators attempt to distinguish between the two by capitalizing the word "You" in reference to God/Jesus, but in spoken form (singing gospel hymns or praying,) one cannot distinguish between the common/familiar and the reverent/formal tense, in reference to God/Jesus. Only by using the archaic English of Shakespeare or the King James may one distinguish between the common/familiar tense "you/yours" and the reverent/formal tense "thee/thou. thine."
Standard King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Notwithstanding the OP's attempt at humor, with his question about "thou" . . . I do not consider myself a scholar, but I do have a solemn and objective opinion on the archaic uses of the/thou/thine in scripture.
"Thou" is always the singular tense, in the archaic English vernacular, of the modern English vernacular "you." For reference, "Ye" is always the archaic plural English vernacular of "you" (you all)
The King James version of the Bible is very consistent in the use of the singular and plural vernacular, "thee/thou/thine" (Greek soisingular) and "ye/you/yours" (Greek humonplural) . . . as an example, consider the passages in John 3:1-7:
New King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Here, in a modern version of the Bible, two distinct and different Greek words are translated "you" throughout these seven verses, without distinction as to which signify a singular or plural meaning. Verse seven, in particular, in the modern English, uses the word "you" twice in a row, to translate two distinct and different Greek words, soi (singular) and humon (plural) This clouds the interpretation of exactly what Jesus meant.
Look at the advantage the King James translators offer the reader by using the exact (though archaic) and correct English words to distinguish the major difference between the two words the Lord used, and a huge difference in meaning of the entire teaching of being born again. It was not just singularly for Nicodemus, but for all mankind.
Also of note, throughout the standard King James Bible, the translators never referred to God/Jesus as "you/yours" (common/familiar tense) but always as "thee/thou" (reverent/formal tense) . . . while virtually every Latin based language has a distinction between the familiar "you" and formal "you," modern English is the exception. For example, in Spanish the common/familiar form of "you" is "tu." The reverent/formal tense of "you" is "usted." In modern English there is no word to distinguish between the two. Some of the modern English Versions translators attempt to distinguish between the two by capitalizing the word "You" in reference to God/Jesus, but in spoken form (singing gospel hymns or praying,) one cannot distinguish between the common/familiar and the reverent/formal tense, in reference to God/Jesus. Only by using the archaic English of Shakespeare or the King James may one distinguish between the common/familiar tense "you/yours" and the reverent/formal tense "thee/thou. thine."
Standard King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Try reading the early part of Luke 14 to folks who never used a Bible. I did that in the lunch room one day. I have used the New American Standard Bible for more than forty years.
Notwithstanding the OP's attempt at humor, with his question about "thou" . . . I do not consider myself a scholar, but I do have a solemn and objective opinion on the archaic uses of the/thou/thine in scripture.
"Thou" is always the singular tense, in the archaic English vernacular, of the modern English vernacular "you." For reference, "Ye" is always the archaic plural English vernacular of "you" (you all)
The King James version of the Bible is very consistent in the use of the singular and plural vernacular, "thee/thou/thine" (Greek soisingular) and "ye/you/yours" (Greek humonplural) . . . as an example, consider the passages in John 3:1-7:
New King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Here, in a modern version of the Bible, two distinct and different Greek words are translated "you" throughout these seven verses, without distinction as to which signify a singular or plural meaning. Verse seven, in particular, in the modern English, uses the word "you" twice in a row, to translate two distinct and different Greek words, soi (singular) and humon (plural) This clouds the interpretation of exactly what Jesus meant.
Look at the advantage the King James translators offer the reader by using the exact (though archaic) and correct English words to distinguish the major difference between the two words the Lord used, and a huge difference in meaning of the entire teaching of being born again. It was not just singularly for Nicodemus, but for all mankind.
Also of note, throughout the standard King James Bible, the translators never referred to God/Jesus as "you/yours" (common/familiar tense) but always as "thee/thou" (reverent/formal tense) . . . while virtually every Latin based language has a distinction between the familiar "you" and formal "you," modern English is the exception. For example, in Spanish the common/familiar form of "you" is "tu." The reverent/formal tense of "you" is "usted." In modern English there is no word to distinguish between the two. Some of the modern English Versions translators attempt to distinguish between the two by capitalizing the word "You" in reference to God/Jesus, but in spoken form (singing gospel hymns or praying,) one cannot distinguish between the common/familiar and the reverent/formal tense, in reference to God/Jesus. Only by using the archaic English of Shakespeare or the King James may one distinguish between the common/familiar tense "you/yours" and the reverent/formal tense "thee/thou. thine."
Standard King James Version
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
You've obviously greatly over-estimated the extent of our interest in the subject matter.
The other day I saw on the back of a pickup "Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved."
At the time I wondered what is a "thou" and what is it saved for or from. Maybe someone with a large vocabulary can help here.
Ringman,
Great question! There's a lot of others who also need to know the answer.
It sounds like you are quoting Acts 16:31. To put it in context, there was a jailor who was a moment from going into eternity. He asked Jesus' disciples,
"Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
This man already knew that he was condemned by the Almighty God who shook the foundation of the prison. As you see in Japanese movies of Samaris who fail their mission, the Roman guard was going to kill himself for letting the prisoners escape. The main point is that he knew that these men had the answer and he didn't. There's a brief, but thorough explanation in the video that is posted below. If you have further questions please feel free to contact me by PM or here.
Side note:. It was already explained more than likely by someone else in this long page. But the word "Thou" in Elizabethan English means "You."
Our modern english no longer distinguishes plural"you" from singular"you." KJV Bible is usually clearer in regards to this. "Thou" is You directed to one person and "thy house." "Thy" is "your". This "T" word is also singular.
You is a plural form. Addressing more than one person or body
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Addressing the jailor and his own household if they will likewise believe on Christ as opposed to their personal good deeds. Watch this a time or three until it makes sense. Use a KJ Bible and follow along.
I had a 2-year dalliance with the Society of Friends AKA the Quakers back after college. They were big on thee and thou and that sort of nomenclature. They used it as a term of endearment.
The Quakers I hung with used it as sort of an inside joke. You used it in conversation with your family, close friends, and other members of the church. The old-timers might use it out in the open, but the younger folk kept it just among the other Quakers.
A Quaker mother might say "Thou must be quiet," to her child," when the normal mom might say "Be quiet!" or "STFU." It connoted intimate, motherly love and all that goes with it, without actually bringing out the strap. The message got through just fine.
There was a lot more subtlety to it than folks realized. I was happy for being among the Quakers and learning to use it. If you and a friend met a 3rd person and you wanted to introduce them, "Thou must meet my good friend, Fred." -- would indicate Fred was a brother.
I still use it around the house. KYHillChick will call me up and ask ,"What do you want for Dinner?"
I will respond, "What is thy will?"
Translated, "You know that whatever I want to bring home you won't eat, so why don't you tell me what it is I want, and we can get on with things?"
I had a 2-year dalliance with the Society of Friends AKA the Quakers back after college. They were big on thee and thou and that sort of nomenclature. They used it as a term of endearment.
The Quakers I hung with used it as sort of an inside joke. You used it in conversation with your family, close friends, and other members of the church. The old-timers might use it out in the open, but the younger folk kept it just among the other Quakers.
A Quaker mother might say "Thou must be quiet," to her child," when the normal mom might say "Be quiet!" or "STFU." It connoted intimate, motherly love and all that goes with it, without actually bringing out the strap. The message got through just fine.
There was a lot more subtlety to it than folks realized. I was happy for being among the Quakers and learning to use it. If you and a friend met a 3rd person and you wanted to introduce them, "Thou must meet my good friend, Fred." -- would indicate Fred was a brother.
I still use it around the house. KYHillChick will call me up and ask ,"What do you want for Dinner?"
I will respond, "What is thy will?"
Translated, "You know that whatever I want to bring home you won't eat, so why don't you tell me what it is I want, and we can get on with things?"
As I said, it's got a lot of subtlety
Yeah......folks don’t get it when you say the Quakers have a group for atheists........they don’t judge........
