Either
An Archaic English Word in the Bible
The word 'either' appears in several places in the King James Version and other older Bible translations with meanings that can confuse modern readers. While we typically use 'either' today to mean 'one or the other of two options,' earlier English used the word more flexibly, sometimes meaning 'both,' 'each,' or simply functioning as an alternative form of 'or.' Recognizing these older usages is important for accurately understanding the text.
'Either' Meaning 'Both' or 'Each'
In several KJV passages, 'either' carries the obsolete meaning of 'both' or 'each.' In Leviticus 10:1, the text describes Nadab and Abihu as taking 'either of them his censer' — meaning each of them took his own censer. In 1 Kings 7:15, Solomon cast 'two pillars... of eighteen cubits high either pillar,' meaning each pillar was eighteen cubits. In John 19:18, the crucifixion account reads, 'on either side one, and Jesus in the midst,' meaning one criminal on each side. Revelation 22:2 describes the tree of life growing 'on either side of the river,' meaning on both sides.
'Either' Used as 'Or'
In other passages, 'either' functions as a simple alternative equivalent to 'or,' a usage that has since become archaic. Luke 6:42 in the KJV reads, 'Either how canst thou say to thy brother...' where modern translations use 'how can you say.' Luke 15:8 uses 'either' similarly: 'Either what woman having ten pieces of silver...' Philippians 3:12 and James 3:12 also employ 'either' in this way.
Jesus on Divided Loyalty
The most famous biblical use of 'either' in its standard modern sense appears in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13: 'No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.' Here 'either' functions as it does in modern English, presenting two alternatives. Jesus uses this construction to make a stark point about the impossibility of divided spiritual loyalty.
Why Translation History Matters
The varying uses of 'either' in older translations illustrate why understanding the history of the English language is valuable for Bible study. The King James Version was produced in 1611, when English was in an earlier stage of development. Words that seem straightforward to modern readers sometimes carried different meanings four centuries ago. Modern translations like the ESV, NIV, and NASB have updated these archaic usages, but readers who study the KJV benefit from knowing how English has changed.
The Principle of Careful Reading
The case of 'either' reminds Bible readers to approach the text with care and attention to context. Whether reading ancient Hebrew, Greek, or early modern English, the meaning of individual words must be determined by their usage in a specific time and place. This principle applies not only to archaic English terms but to all biblical interpretation — faithful reading requires understanding what the original authors and translators meant by the words they chose.
Biblical Context
The word 'either' appears across both Testaments in the KJV, with varying meanings. It occurs in Leviticus 10:1, 1 Kings 7:15, 1 Chronicles 21:12, John 19:18, and Revelation 22:2 meaning 'each' or 'both,' and in Luke 6:42, Luke 15:8, Philippians 3:12, and James 3:12 meaning 'or.' Its standard modern meaning appears in Matthew 6:24.
Theological Significance
While 'either' is a grammatical rather than theological term, its varying usages highlight the importance of careful, contextual Bible reading. The passages where it appears include significant theological content — Jesus's teaching on serving one master (Matthew 6:24), the vision of the tree of life (Revelation 22:2), and the consequences of unauthorized worship (Leviticus 10:1).
Historical Background
The King James Version of 1611 reflects early 17th-century English, when many common words carried broader or different meanings than they do today. The translators used the English of their era, and as the language evolved over four centuries, some of their word choices became archaic. The study of these archaic terms is part of the broader discipline of historical linguistics and is essential for interpreting older Bible translations accurately.