CAN YOU DEFINE “CARRIAGE” IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In the Authorized Version, the word “carriage” is found five times:

• Judges 18:21: “So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.”
• 1 Samuel 17:22: “And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.”
• Isaiah 10:28: “He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:….”
• Isaiah 46:1: “Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.”
• Acts 21:15: “And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.”

When we see this word in the Holy Scriptures, we should think beyond something like a wagon, buggy, cart, or coach. The idea is not a vehicle carrying people, but rather people carrying goods. “Carriage” in the King James Bible is that which is carried—luggage, baggage, suitcases, trunks, and/or their contents (treasures, weapons, clothes, and other supplies). We must remember the Authorized Version King James Bible was produced in England, as clearly reflected here. According to The Oxford English Dictionary, “carriage” in British English means, “the conveying of items or merchandise from one place to another.” (Which is basically what we have just used Bible verses to teach.)

Also see:
» Is “corn” a mistake in the King James Bible?
» Why does the King James Bible say “nephews” instead of “grandchildren” in 1 Timothy 5:4?
» Is the King James word “borrow” a “mistranslation” in Exodus 3:22?
» Is “rooms” a King James Bible mistake in Matthew 23:6?
» What does “under colour” mean in Acts 27:30?