Demand
An Archaic English Usage
Modern readers encountering the word "demand" in older Bible translations often misunderstand the tone of the passage. In contemporary English, "demand" implies an aggressive, forceful command. However, in the English of the early 1600s when the King James Version was produced, "demand" simply meant "to ask" or "to inquire," much like the French word "demander" from which it derives. This distinction is crucial for accurately understanding the biblical text.
Old Testament Occurrences
In the Old Testament, "demand" appears in several significant passages. When God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, He says, "I will demand of thee, and answer thou me" (Job 38:3; 40:7; 42:4). While God certainly has the authority to command, the word here carries the sense of asking or questioning. In Exodus 5:14, the Israelite foremen are questioned about why they have not fulfilled their brick quota. Daniel 2:27 uses the word in the context of King Nebuchadnezzar asking his wise men to interpret his dream.
New Testament Occurrences
The New Testament uses several Greek words that older translations rendered as "demand." In Matthew 2:4, King Herod "demanded" of the chief priests where the Christ would be born, meaning he inquired of them. When crowds came to John the Baptist, they "demanded" what they should do (Luke 3:14), simply asking for guidance. The Pharisees "demanded" when the kingdom of God would come (Luke 17:20), posing a question to Jesus. In Acts 21:33, a Roman commander "demanded" who Paul was, meaning he asked about his identity. Modern translations consistently replace "demand" with "ask," "inquire," or "question" in these passages.
The Importance of Translation Updates
The evolution of the word "demand" illustrates why Bible translation is an ongoing task. Words change meaning over centuries, and what was perfectly clear to readers in 1611 can mislead readers today. Modern translations like the ESV, NIV, and NASB substitute more accurate contemporary terms such as "ask," "inquire," or "question" to convey the original intent. This does not change the meaning of Scripture but rather preserves it by using language that communicates the same idea to contemporary audiences.
God's Right to Question
The most theologically rich uses of "demand" appear in Job, where God asks probing questions to reveal Job's limited understanding. These divine questions are not harsh demands but profound invitations to consider the vastness of God's wisdom and power (Job 38:3-4). The rhetorical questions that follow demonstrate that God's authority is exercised not through brute force but through the overwhelming evidence of His creative genius.
Biblical Context
The word 'demand' appears in the KJV in Exodus 5:14, Job 38:3, 40:7, and 42:4 in the Old Testament, and in Matthew 2:4, Luke 3:14, Luke 17:20, and Acts 21:33 in the New Testament. In each case, it translates Hebrew and Greek words meaning 'to ask' or 'to inquire.' Nehemiah 5:18 also uses the concept where modern versions insert 'demand' for the older 'require.'
Theological Significance
Understanding the older meaning of 'demand' affects how readers perceive God's interactions with humanity. In Job especially, recognizing that God is asking questions rather than making harsh demands reveals a God who invites reflection and self-examination. This pattern of divine questioning runs throughout Scripture, from God's question to Adam in the garden to Jesus' questions to His disciples.
Historical Background
The English word 'demand' derives from the Old French 'demander' and Latin 'demandare,' both meaning simply 'to ask' or 'to entrust.' The shift toward a more forceful meaning occurred gradually in English during the 17th and 18th centuries, after the KJV was published in 1611. This semantic shift is one of many examples that make the KJV's language occasionally misleading for modern readers.