Learn English – Was the verb “bring” once used as a noun

capitalizationetymologynounsverbsword-usage

In the book of Amos (KJV, Amos 4:1), we find the verb bring is capitalized in the middle of a sentence. This is in sharp contrast to the same verb written in v. 4 in lower case letters. Finding a verb thus capitalized seems to defy all known rules governing English capitalization in print. This specific phenomenon dates back to the Wycliffe Bible and seems to have been perpetuated in many if not all subsequent translations.

Since Bring was coupled with the place names of Bashan and Samaria in v. 1 (also capitalized), Bring as a verb seems definitely out of place. Is this simply an error in printing, or was Bring meant to be used as a noun within some form of steganography?

Best Answer

Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

This is because it is a quote, and a quote of a sentence starts with a capital letter.

Here is a different translation.

You women of Samaria are fat cows! You mistreat and abuse the poor and needy, then you say to your husbands, “Bring us more drinks!”

4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years...

Here, bring is a verb, and is written in the usual manner, with lower case letters.

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