Did + Base Verb

“And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” - Acts 21:9.

The KJB is so fascinating: a simple statement, as shown above, is structured for accurate and full understanding. Look at the last clause, “..., which did prophesy.”

Notice, it is a relative pronoun clause: the comma, and then which, defines the clause as additional information. Although it’s interesting information (these daughters did prophesy), a which clause isn’t necessary to complete the sentence. You could, technically, say this ‘And the same man had four daughters, virgins.’ A complete thought, with or without the clause about prophesying. The which clause simply gives us more information.

Additionally, it’s the structure of this clause that is interesting: “...which did prophesy.” Why not write it as ‘which prophesied’? Some of the modern versions are written as ‘which prophesied’ – why was the King James written as thus? Is this an archaic grammatical form that we should ignore? Of course not! Let’s study it and find out what’s happening.

Not Archaic

Growing up on a dairy farm back in the 60’s, our reward for doing our assigned chores was we could race to the house by 7:30 and watch Batman. (The original series, not the modern versions!) But before the black and white TV got its tubes fully warmed up, I’d hear something like this,

“Are all the heifers fed?” – (Failure to do so meant no Batman.)

“Yes, I did feed the heifers” – (My emphatic reply erased any doubts.)

If I had said, “yes, I fed the heifers” (using only the verb’s past tense), instead of “I did feed the heifers,” perhaps my non-emphatic response would not be as convincing...Batman viewing could be interrupted with further questions!

We use did + the base form of a verb to emphasize the action, to convince of its veracity. I proclaimed, “I did feed the heifers.” Did + feed : (feed is the base verb, or bare infinitive). (Now get out of the way, you’re blocking my view of the Caped Crusader, said my silent thoughts.)

Emphatic

Virgins, which did prophesy, is more assuring, more emphatic, than the simple ‘which prophesied.’

Note:

Prophesy is a verb - to give or to pronounce an inspired message

Prophecy is a noun – the actual message

It may have seemed incredible to some, that Philip had four daughters and all four of them could pronounce an inspired message (they must have been students of the word!). Nevertheless, have no doubts, it’s true. The grammar emphasizes it.

did + base verb , another example:

"And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel" - Mark 5:20.

Notice the ending clause “...and all men did marvel.” Some modern versions water down the emphasis by writing ‘and men marveled.’ Tut tut.

Perhaps, as the men of Decapolis considered this man’s testimony, this formerly wild man whom they only knew as devil possessed and crazy, perhaps some asked, “Is this the same man?” And, “This is incredible.”

They did marvel. All of them. Amazing! Without a doubt, it’s Wonderful! It’s Marvelous! Did marvel – Emphatic, powerful, erasing any doubts.

Did + base verb = emphasis, strong confirmation. This is not archaic; this is excellent, detailed communication.