The term "wanteth" is an archaic English word that appears in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, often used to denote a lack or deficiency. In modern translations, such as the Berean Standard Bible , this term is typically rendered as "lacks" or "is in need of." The concept of want or lack is significant in biblical theology, as it often highlights human dependence on God and the sufficiency of His provision.

Scriptural References:

1. Psalm 23:1 : "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This verse is a profound declaration of trust in God's provision. The imagery of God as a shepherd suggests His role as a provider and protector, ensuring that His people lack nothing essential for their well-being. The psalmist expresses confidence that under God's care, all needs are met.

2. Proverbs 13:25 : "The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." This proverb contrasts the sufficiency experienced by the righteous with the lack experienced by the wicked. It implies that righteousness leads to God's blessing and provision, while wickedness results in want and dissatisfaction.

3. James 1:4 : "Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Here, the apostle James encourages believers to endure trials with perseverance, which leads to spiritual maturity and completeness. The absence of lack in this context refers to the wholeness and sufficiency found in a life fully developed in Christ.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "wanteth" or lack in the Bible often serves to underscore the human condition of dependence on God. In a fallen world, humanity experiences various forms of want—physical, emotional, and spiritual. However, Scripture consistently points to God as the ultimate source of provision and fulfillment.

The Bible teaches that God is attentive to the needs of His people and provides for them according to His riches and wisdom. This is evident in the provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and the promise of Jesus that God knows and meets the needs of His children (Matthew 6:31-33).

Moreover, the absence of want is frequently associated with righteousness and obedience to God. Those who walk in His ways are assured of His provision, as seen in the blessings outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for those who obey God's commandments.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision and to seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else. In doing so, they are assured that their needs will be met. This trust is not passive but involves active faith and obedience, aligning one's life with God's will and purposes.

Furthermore, Christians are called to be instruments of God's provision to others, reflecting His generosity and care. Acts of charity and service are ways in which believers can help alleviate the want and lack experienced by others, thereby demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Thy Navel is Like a Round Goblet which Wanteth not Liquor; Thy ...
... CHAPTER VII. 2. Thy navel is like a round goblet which wanteth not liquor;
thy belly is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 thy navel is like.htm

Christian Behavior
... A thorn bringeth not forth figs, because it wanteth the nature of the
fig-tree; and so doth the bramble the nature of the vine. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

He Desired no Other Riches for his Friends but those which Cannot ...
... A miser is not only a covetous man but a fool. Any needy man, that wanteth
the world, is miserable. He wanteth God and all things. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/35 he desired no other.htm

The Life of Mr. Patrick Hamilton.
... a good man, but a good man doth make good works: That faith, hope and charity are
so knit, that he that hath the one hath the rest, and he that wanteth the one ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr patrick.htm

The Temple of Wisdom
... sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is
simple, let him turn in hither: and to him that wanteth understanding, she ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon ii the temple of wisdom.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely
lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth." "For the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Of the Thousand Years
... lest while expatiating more freely than perhaps we ought, the saying of Solomon
should ring in our ears,""In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the thousand years.htm

That by Indiscretion in This, Men Shall Keep Discretion in all ...
... God wouldest thou have, and sin wouldest thou lack. God wanteth thee; and sin art
thou sure of. Now good God help thee, for now hast thou need! ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 3.htm

That a Man Should Bidingly Travail in this Work, and Suffer the ...
... AND therefore, whoso coveteth to come to cleanness that he lost for sin, and to
win to that well?being where all woe wanteth, him behoveth bidingly to travail ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and.htm

"God, of Thy Goodness, Give Me Thyself; --Only in Thee I have All"
... for Thou art enough to me, and I may nothing ask that is less that may be full worship
to Thee; and if I ask anything that is less, ever me wanteth,"but only ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter v god of thy.htm

Wanteth (7 Occurrences)
...Wanteth (7 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as
for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (KJV WBS). ...
/w/wanteth.htm - 8k

Wanting (27 Occurrences)

/w/wanting.htm - 14k

Hither (84 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Proverbs 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him
that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/h/hither.htm - 34k

Navel (4 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 7:2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor:
thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. ...
/n/navel.htm - 9k

Openhanded (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 15:8 but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely
lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth. (See NIV). ...
/o/openhanded.htm - 7k

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor:
but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. ...
/o/oppressor.htm - 15k

Liquor (5 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Song of Songs 7:2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth
not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. ...
/l/liquor.htm - 9k

Restraineth (6 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression;
but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely. (DBY WBS). ...
/r/restraineth.htm - 8k

Refraineth (2 Occurrences)
... bread.' (YLT). Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not
sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. (KJV JPS ASV). ...
/r/refraineth.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus