Conversant
An Archaic Translation Term
The word 'conversant' in older Bible translations does not carry its modern meaning of being knowledgeable about a subject. Instead, it translates the Hebrew verb 'halakh,' meaning 'to walk,' 'to go,' or 'to move about.' In the King James Version, 'conversant' appears to describe people who lived among or moved freely within a community. Modern translations have replaced it with clearer alternatives like 'lived' or 'went.'
Joshua 8:35 - The Strangers Among Israel
In Joshua 8:35, the KJV states that Joshua read the law before 'all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.' The word here describes non-Israelites who lived and moved about within the Israelite community. These were foreign residents who had attached themselves to Israel and participated in the communal life of the covenant people. Modern translations render this as 'the strangers who lived among them' or 'the foreigners who went with them.'
1 Samuel 25:15 - David's Men Among the Shepherds
In 1 Samuel 25:15, Nabal's servants describe David's men to Abigail, saying in the KJV that the men were 'very good unto us... as long as we were conversant with them.' This describes how David's warriors moved about alongside Nabal's shepherds in the wilderness near Carmel, providing protection for the flocks. The term captures the idea of ongoing, daily companionship and shared space. Modern translations use phrases like 'when we were with them' or 'while we went about with them.'
The Hebrew Word Halakh
The underlying Hebrew word 'halakh' is one of the most common verbs in the Old Testament, appearing over 1,500 times. Its basic meaning is 'to walk' or 'to go,' but it carries rich theological overtones. God calls his people to 'walk' in his ways (Deuteronomy 10:12), and Enoch 'walked with God' (Genesis 5:24). The concept of walking became central to Jewish ethical teaching, giving rise to the term 'halakha,' meaning the body of Jewish law governing daily conduct.
Why the Translation Changed
The word 'conversant' has shifted in meaning since the 1611 publication of the King James Version. In early modern English, 'conversant' meant 'having dealings with' or 'living among,' derived from the Latin 'conversari,' meaning 'to keep company with.' Over time, the English word narrowed to mean 'familiar with' or 'knowledgeable about.' Because the older meaning is no longer understood by most readers, modern translations use more transparent language to convey the original Hebrew meaning.
Biblical Context
The term 'conversant' appears in the KJV at Joshua 8:35, describing foreigners living among Israel during Joshua's reading of the law, and at 1 Samuel 25:15, describing David's men moving about among Nabal's shepherds. Both passages use the common Hebrew verb 'halakh,' meaning to walk or go about.
Theological Significance
The concept behind 'conversant' touches on important biblical themes of community, inclusion, and daily walk. In Joshua 8:35, it shows that non-Israelites could participate in hearing God's law, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's covenant community. The broader concept of 'walking' with God or among God's people is foundational to biblical ethics and spirituality.
Historical Background
The King James Version of 1611 used the vocabulary of early 17th-century English, which included many words whose meanings have since shifted. 'Conversant' is one of numerous KJV terms that modern readers misunderstand because English has evolved significantly over four centuries. Translation scholars have long recognized the need to update archaic vocabulary to maintain clarity, which is why successive English translations have replaced 'conversant' with more accessible terms.