Several; Severally
An Older Meaning of 'Several'
In modern English, "several" simply means "more than two but not very many." In the King James Version of the Bible, however, the word carries its older meaning of "separate," "individual," or "distinct." This older usage appears in both the Old and New Testaments, and understanding it correctly is important for grasping the intended meaning of key passages.
Several as Separation in the Old Testament
In 2 Kings 15:5 and its parallel in 2 Chronicles 26:21, the word "several" describes King Uzziah's living conditions after he was struck with leprosy. The KJV and English Revised Version say he lived in a "several house" — meaning a separate or isolated house, set apart from the rest of the community because of his ceremonial uncleanness. Modern translations render this as "separate house" or "quarantined house."
Uzziah's leprosy was a divine punishment for his presumption in entering the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved exclusively for the priests (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). His confinement to a separate house was both a medical precaution and a visible consequence of his sin — he was cut off from the temple and from exercising royal authority.
Severally as Individual Distribution in the New Testament
In the New Testament, "severally" appears in two important passages about spiritual gifts. In Matthew 25:15, Jesus' parable of the talents describes a master who gives to his servants "to every man according to his several ability" — that is, according to each one's individual capacity. The gifts are not distributed uniformly but tailored to each servant's unique abilities.
In 1 Corinthians 12:11, Paul writes that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts "to every man severally as he wills" — meaning individually, to each person as the Spirit chooses. The Greek word in both passages is idios, which means "one's own" or "personal," emphasizing the individuality and intentionality of the distribution.
The Theology of Individual Gifting
Paul's use of "severally" in 1 Corinthians 12 carries significant theological weight. The Spirit does not give identical gifts to everyone but distributes different gifts to different individuals according to His sovereign will. This diversity of gifts is essential to the health of the church, which Paul compares to a body with many different members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Each member has a distinct role, and all are needed for the body to function properly.
The parable of the talents makes a complementary point: God entrusts resources according to individual capacity and holds each person accountable for what they have received, not for what they have not. This principle affirms both human individuality and divine sovereignty in the distribution of responsibilities.
Separation and Individuality
The two primary biblical uses of "several/severally" — separation due to uncleanness and individual distribution of gifts — may seem unrelated, but they share a common thread: the recognition that individuals are distinct before God. Uzziah's separation was a consequence of personal sin; the individual distribution of gifts is an expression of personal calling. Both point to the biblical truth that God deals with people as individuals, not merely as members of a mass.
Reading Older Translations
The shift in meaning of "several" from "separate" to "a few" is a reminder that the English language has evolved significantly since 1611. Modern readers encountering "several" in the KJV should pause to consider whether the older meaning of separation or individuality better fits the context. This awareness enriches Bible study and prevents misunderstanding.
Biblical Context
The words 'several' and 'severally' appear in 2 Kings 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 26:21 (Uzziah's separate house), Matthew 25:15 (the parable of the talents), and 1 Corinthians 12:11 (distribution of spiritual gifts). In each case, the underlying concept is separation, individuality, or distinct personal identity.
Theological Significance
The biblical use of 'severally' in 1 Corinthians 12:11 underscores the Holy Spirit's sovereign, individual distribution of gifts to believers. This teaching affirms that every member of the church has a unique role and that diversity of gifts is by divine design, not accident. The parable of the talents reinforces personal accountability for what God has entrusted to each individual.
Historical Background
The English word 'several' derives from the Latin 'separalis' (separate). In legal and literary English of the 16th-17th centuries, it commonly meant 'individual' or 'distinct,' which is the sense preserved in the KJV. King Uzziah's isolation reflects ancient Near Eastern practices of quarantining those with skin diseases, attested in both biblical law (Leviticus 13-14) and in other ancient texts.