Pap
An Obsolete English Word
The word "pap" is an archaic English term meaning "breast" or "nipple" that was current when the King James Version was translated in 1611. It derives from Middle English "pappe" and has since fallen out of common usage. Modern Bible translations consistently replace "pap" with "breast" or "chest," making the meaning clearer for contemporary readers.
Old Testament Usage
In the Old Testament, "pap" translates the Hebrew words shad and shod, both of which specifically refer to the female breast. In Ezekiel 23:21, the prophet uses graphic language to describe Jerusalem and Samaria's unfaithfulness to God, comparing the two cities to unfaithful women who had been corrupted in their youth in Egypt: "Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom" (Ezekiel 23:21). The imagery is deliberately shocking, intended to convey the depth of Israel's spiritual adultery in pursuing foreign gods.
New Testament References
In the New Testament, "pap" translates the Greek word mastos, which has a broader meaning than the Hebrew terms, referring to the breast or chest of either gender. In Luke 11:27, a woman in the crowd cries out to Jesus, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!" Jesus redirects her praise, responding, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke 11:28). In Luke 23:29, during his journey to the cross, Jesus warns the women of Jerusalem that days are coming when people will say, "Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed," speaking of the devastating judgment coming upon Jerusalem.
The Vision in Revelation
The most striking New Testament use appears in Revelation 1:13, where John sees the glorified Christ "clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest." The KJV renders this as "girt about the paps with a golden girdle." Here the Greek mastos refers to the chest area of the risen Lord, emphasizing the priestly dignity and majestic appearance of Christ in his glorified state. The golden sash across the chest was reminiscent of the high priest's garments, identifying Jesus as the ultimate high priest.
The Significance of Translation Changes
The replacement of "pap" with "breast" or "chest" in modern translations illustrates how Bible translation is an ongoing process. As English evolves, translators must update vocabulary to maintain clarity without altering meaning. The underlying Hebrew and Greek terms remain unchanged, but the English words used to express them must communicate effectively to each new generation of readers.
Biblical Context
The word 'pap' (breast) appears in the KJV in Ezekiel 23:21 (prophetic allegory of unfaithful Israel), Luke 11:27 (a woman blessing Jesus' mother), Luke 23:29 (Jesus' warning to the women of Jerusalem), and Revelation 1:13 (the glorified Christ with a golden sash across his chest). Modern translations use 'breast' or 'chest' in all these passages.
Theological Significance
The biblical references using this term span significant theological themes. Ezekiel's use exposes Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness through provocative imagery. Jesus' response in Luke 11:27-28 redirects praise from physical motherhood to spiritual obedience. His prophecy in Luke 23:29 speaks of coming judgment so severe that childlessness would be considered a blessing. The Revelation passage presents Christ in priestly glory, connecting his earthly ministry to his heavenly intercession.
Historical Background
The word 'pap' was standard English in the 16th and 17th centuries when the major English Bible translations were produced, from Tyndale's translation through the King James Version. Its obsolescence illustrates the broader challenge of maintaining Bible translations in living language. The Hebrew and Greek terms it translates reflect the frank, unembellished style of biblical literature, which describes the human body directly when relevant to the theological message.