Word Focused KJVIn the beginning was the Word

wot meaning in the KJV

Wot means know in the KJV.

Meaning in context

Wot is an older English verb for knowing. Wot not expresses not knowing. It is not the same word as what, even though the spellings may look similar.

In Genesis 21:26, Abimelech says he does not know who did the thing under discussion. In Philippians 1:22, Paul uses wot not in expressing uncertainty about what he will choose.

Wist is a related past-tense form meaning knew. Study each exact form separately when counting occurrences, then compare them to see how the older English verb functions.

KJV examples

Genesis 21:26 KJV

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

Wot not expresses not knowing who did the thing described.

Acts 3:17 KJV

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Wot expresses knowing in Peter’s address to his hearers.

Philippians 1:22 KJV

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Wot not expresses uncertainty about what to choose.

First exact-word occurrence

Genesis 21:26 KJV

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

This is the earliest occurrence of this exact English spelling in canonical KJV Bible order. A related word form, a subject, or a person may appear earlier.

Find every occurrence

The exact English word wot appears 10 times in 10 KJV verses. Counts ignore letter case and exclude other spellings and word forms.

Explore all wot occurrences in Word Study

For original-language details, select the word in the particular chapter. A word can represent different terms or constructions in different verses.

Related word studies

  • wist

    Wist means knew; wist not means did not know.

  • whence

    Whence means from where or from which place or source.

Study method

These explanations are separate study notes. Every Scripture quotation above is copied from the existing KJV chapter text. Read the whole chapter and compare the setting before applying a meaning to another occurrence.