The term "addest" is an archaic English word that appears in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). It is a second person singular form of the verb "add," used in contexts where one is being addressed directly. In the Berean Standard Bible , this term is typically rendered in more contemporary language, reflecting modern English usage.

Biblical Context and Usage

The concept of adding, particularly in a spiritual or moral sense, is significant in the biblical narrative. It often relates to the idea of increasing or augmenting something, whether it be blessings, wisdom, or even transgressions. The Bible frequently addresses the consequences of adding to God's Word or commands, emphasizing the importance of adhering strictly to divine instructions.

Scriptural References

1. Deuteronomy 4:2 : "You shall not add to the word that I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you." This verse underscores the prohibition against altering God's commandments, highlighting the sufficiency and perfection of divine law.

2. Proverbs 30:5-6 : "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar." Here, the wisdom literature warns against the dangers of adding to God's words, which can lead to falsehood and divine rebuke.

3. Revelation 22:18-19 : "I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This passage from Revelation serves as a solemn warning about the integrity of prophetic scripture, emphasizing the severe consequences of altering the divine message.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the admonition against adding to God's Word is rooted in the belief in the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. The Bible is viewed as the complete and final revelation of God's will to humanity. Therefore, any attempt to add to or subtract from it is seen as undermining its divine authority and completeness.

The concept of "addest" also extends to the moral and ethical dimensions of life. Believers are encouraged to add virtues such as faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to their lives, as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7. This positive form of adding is seen as a means of spiritual growth and maturity.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the warnings against adding to God's Word serve as a reminder for believers to approach Scripture with reverence and humility. It calls for careful interpretation and application of biblical teachings, ensuring that personal or cultural biases do not distort the message. Additionally, the encouragement to add virtues to one's life highlights the dynamic nature of faith, which involves continuous growth and transformation in the likeness of Christ.

The Marks of the New Birth
... It is not written in the Book. God plainly saith, "He doth not commit sin;" and
thou addest, habitually! Who art thou that mendest the oracles of God? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 18 the marks of.htm

Long Time, My Venerable Fellow-Bishop Paulinus, have I Been Thy ...
... Thou addest, moreover, that it cannot be void of effect [2709] that the whole Church
is wont to supplicate for the departed: so that hence it may be further ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /1 long time my venerable.htm

2 Timothy ii. 7-Jan
... afflictions, that all have forsaken thee, and, as if thou hadst said thou hadst
not suffered anything, nor been abandoned by any, thou addest, "Thou therefore ...
/.../homily iv 2 timothy ii.htm

Commendation of those who had Laid Aside the Practice of Swearing. ...
... But thou whilst deeming it to be a condemnation not to fast, then addest another
fault, which is far greater and heavier, in not being a partaker of this ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ix commendation of those.htm

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... 4. Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, That addest thy venom thereto,
And makest him drunken also, That thou mayest look on their nakedness! ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

1 Cor. Ii. 6, 7
... declared. Since it will not be a mystery, divine and whole in all its parts,
when thou addest any thing to it of thyself also. And ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vii 1 cor ii.htm

(On the Passion, vii. )
... thy bold front hides thee. Thou addest impudence to guilt, and art not
frightened by so clear a test. And when the others refrain ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lviii on the passion.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvii. 3, "If Thy Brother Sin ...
... Follow on; "Hallowed be Thy Name." Say on, "Thy kingdom come." Follow still on,
"Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." See what thou addest next, "Give ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiv on the words.htm

None but Jesus
... On nothing else must thou trust; he is to be the only prop and pillar of thy confidence;
and all thou addest thereunto will be a wicked antichrist, a rebellion ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/none but jesus.htm

John Chapter ii. 21-Dec
... When thou hearest it said of thee, Cast him forth from the Church; thou sayest,
I will betake me to the party of Donatus: behold thou addest a fourth sin. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate x john chapter ii.htm

Addest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Addest (2 Occurrences). Psalms 61:6 Days to the days of
the king Thou addest, His years as generation and generation. (YLT). ...
/a/addest.htm - 6k

Addeth (44 Occurrences)

/a/addeth.htm - 18k

Venom (8 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, to thee that addest thy
venom, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness ...
/v/venom.htm - 8k

Adder's (2 Occurrences)

/a/adder's.htm - 6k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... There may be a reference to the giving of an intoxicant poison in Habakkuk 2:15,
where the Revised Version (British and American) reads "that addest thy venom ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Thereto (26 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, to thee that addest thy
venom, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness ...
/t/thereto.htm - 14k

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