Very
The Meaning and Usage of "Very"
In the Bible, the word "very" functions primarily as an intensifier, conveying a sense of truth, reality, or high degree. As an adjective, it often translates Hebrew and Greek terms meaning "true," "actual," or "same," used to confirm identity or authenticity. For example, in Genesis 27:21, Isaac asks Jacob, "Are you my very son Esau?" Here, "very" (from the Hebrew me'odh) underscores the question of genuine identity. Similarly, Joshua 10:27 records that certain events happened "this very day," emphasizing the precise timing and historical reality of God's intervention.
As an adverb, "very" intensifies adjectives or other adverbs, highlighting the extremity of a condition or emotion. In the Old Testament, it most frequently translates the Hebrew me'odh, meaning "exceedingly" or "greatly." For instance, after creation, God saw that everything was "very good" (Genesis 1:31), indicating a state of complete and perfect goodness. In the New Testament, various Greek words are rendered as "very," such as alethos ("truly") in John 7:26, where people wonder if Jesus is "the very Christ," and sphodra ("exceedingly") in Matthew 18:31, describing servants as "very sorry."
Translational Variations and Modern Renderings
Modern Bible translations often adjust the rendering of "very" for clarity or stylistic preference. The King James Version (KJV) uses it frequently, while the Revised Version (British and American) and other contemporary versions sometimes replace it with words like "exceeding," "sore," or "truly" to convey the original intensity. For example, in Zechariah 9:5, the KJV's "very sorrowful" becomes "sore" in the Revised Version. In 2 Chronicles 16:8, "very great" is changed to "exceeding." These shifts reflect efforts to maintain the emphatic force of the original languages in modern English, ensuring that readers grasp the heightened significance of the biblical text.
Theological and Narrative Emphasis
The use of "very" in Scripture is not merely linguistic; it carries theological weight by emphasizing key aspects of God's character and actions. When God declares creation "very good," it affirms the inherent goodness and intentionality of the material world (Genesis 1:31). In promises like "this very day" in Joshua 10:27, it underscores God's faithfulness and precise fulfillment of His word. In the New Testament, phrases such as "the very works' sake" (John 14:11) highlight the evidential value of Jesus' miracles, pointing to His divine identity. Thus, "very" often marks moments of divine affirmation, certainty, and supreme quality within the biblical narrative.
Practical Significance for Readers
For modern Bible readers, paying attention to the term "very" can deepen engagement with the text. It signals points of emphasis where the biblical authors want to stress reality, truth, or extremity. In devotional reading, it invites reflection on the certainty of God's promises and the authenticity of biblical accounts. In study, it encourages exploration of original language nuances, revealing how translators work to convey emphatic meaning. Recognizing these intensifiers helps readers appreciate the rhetorical power of Scripture and its focus on what is truly essential in God's revelation.
Biblical Context
"Very" appears throughout both the Old and New Testaments, serving as an adjective and adverb. In the Old Testament, it is common in historical and prophetic books like Genesis, Joshua, and Zechariah, often translating the Hebrew me'odh. It emphasizes reality (e.g., Genesis 27:21), timing (Joshua 10:27), and intensity (Genesis 1:31). In the New Testament, it occurs in Gospels like John and Matthew, and epistles like Romans and 1 Thessalonians, rendering Greek terms such as alethos, autos, and sphodra. It confirms identity (John 7:26), highlights works (John 14:11), and expresses strong emotion (Matthew 18:31).
Theological Significance
Theologically, "very" underscores the certainty and truth of God's revelation. It affirms the reality of biblical events and identities, such as Jesus being "the very Christ" (John 7:26), reinforcing the doctrine of His messiahship. It also emphasizes God's perfect creation (Genesis 1:31) and faithful fulfillment of promises (Joshua 10:27), teaching about God's goodness and reliability. In emphasizing intensity, it highlights human responses and divine actions, pointing to the profound nature of sin, sorrow, and salvation. Thus, it contributes to a robust understanding of biblical authority and divine character.
Historical Background
Historically, the use of "very" in English Bibles reflects translation choices from the 16th century onward, particularly in the King James Version (1611), which often followed earlier English translations like Tyndale's. The Hebrew me'odh and Greek terms like sphodra were common in ancient texts to express degree or authenticity. Extra-biblical sources, such as the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and early Christian writings, show similar emphatic language, indicating that intensifiers were a standard rhetorical device in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman literature to convey certainty and emphasis in religious and historical narratives.