The term "readest" is an archaic form of the verb "read," often encountered in older English translations of the Bible. It is used to address someone directly in the second person singular, typically in a question or command. The usage of "readest" is primarily found in the context of scriptural study and interpretation, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the Word of God.

Biblical Context

The concept of reading Scripture is deeply embedded in the biblical tradition, underscoring the importance of personal engagement with God's Word. In the New Testament, the act of reading is often associated with understanding and interpreting the Scriptures, as seen in the interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

In Acts 8:30-31 , we find a pertinent example: "So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. 'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." Here, the act of reading is not merely a passive activity but one that requires guidance and insight, highlighting the communal and interpretive nature of engaging with Scripture.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the act of reading the Bible is seen as a means of divine communication. It is through the Scriptures that God reveals His will, character, and plan for humanity. The question "Understandest thou what thou readest?" (Acts 8:30, KJV) reflects the necessity of comprehension and the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the text for believers.

The practice of reading Scripture is also linked to the concept of meditation and reflection. In Joshua 1:8 , it is written, "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." Here, reading is connected to meditation, suggesting a deep, contemplative engagement with the Word.

Historical Usage

Historically, the ability to read the Scriptures was a privilege and responsibility. In the early church, public reading of the Scriptures was a central part of worship, as indicated in 1 Timothy 4:13 : "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching." This practice ensured that the Word of God was accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their literacy levels.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, the encouragement to read and understand the Scriptures remains vital. Believers are urged to approach the Bible with a heart open to learning and transformation. The question of understanding what one reads is as relevant today as it was in the time of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. It calls for a prayerful and diligent study of the Word, often supplemented by the teaching and guidance of pastors, teachers, and the broader Christian community.

In summary, "readest" serves as a reminder of the active engagement required in reading the Bible. It is not merely about the act of reading but about seeking understanding and allowing the Scriptures to shape one's life and faith.

Acts viii. 26, 27
... chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him reading the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix acts viii 26.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian
... things?" It is great lewdness, and also insufferable arrogancy, to come to the Word
of God, as conceiting already that whatever thou readest must either by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the trinity and a.htm

John Chapter xiv. 25-27.
... [1349] Listen to the Father speaking in the passage where thou readest, "The Lord
said unto me, Thou art my Son:" [1350] listen to Him also teaching, in that ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxvii john chapter xiv.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... It is great lewdness, and also insufferable arrogancy to come to the word of God,
as conceiting already that whatever thou readest, must either by thee be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of the trinity and a.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... If thou readest the promises, thou knowest not whether they shall be fulfilled
to thee. If thou readest the threatenings, for any ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year ...
... spake these words to thee, to excite thee to those virtues, to dissuade thee from
those vices: assuring thyself that if such sins (as thou readest there) be ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/brief directions how to read.htm

The Purpose and Healing Effects of the Incarnation. ...
... not. That He tasted of death, thou readest, but that He also invited the
robber into paradise, [2044] to this thou givest no heed. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the purpose and.htm

Introduction.
... To enable those who ponder the scriptural representation of it to answer suitably
the Divine demand, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" prayer for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/introduction.htm

A New Age and New Standards
... do to inherit eternal life? And he said unto him, What is written in the
law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter vi a new age.htm

There is a Great Question About Lying, which Often Arises in the ...
... enough. But whoso readest, thou wilt do well to find no fault until thou
have read the whole; so wilt thou have less fault to find. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 1 there is a.htm

Readest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Readest (2 Occurrences). Luke 10:26 He said unto him,
What is written in the law? how readest thou? (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/readest.htm - 6k

Readers (9 Occurrences)

/r/readers.htm - 9k

Readeth (19 Occurrences)

/r/readeth.htm - 12k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... how readest thou?" Regarding this class of teachers as a whole, it is recorded that
"the Pharisees and lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God ...
/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Understandest (10 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/u/understandest.htm - 9k

Thither (119 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV WBS). ...
/t/thither.htm - 38k

Esaias (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV DBY). ...
/e/esaias.htm - 11k

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