What's the wherefore therefore?

Wherefore is considered archaic by most dictionaries, used now only in the Authorized Bible (KJV) and some by-gone poetic posts: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo”- Shakespeare. Wherefore has been replaced by therefore and why in the modern bibles and our colloquialisms; fading away from our communication toolboxes, with its detail and excellence.  But, instead of replacing supposed archaic words with ’easy to read’ ones, let us first consider the differences between wherefore, therefore, and why.   

Wherefore can be interrogative: forms a question.

Therefore never forms a question: rather it leads to ‘by reason of that’ – a conclusion.

Wherefore can be demonstrative (shows feeling, stresses prominence)

Therefore in un-emphatic – shows logic more than passion: A=B; B=C; therefore A=C.

Wherefore brings to the forefront a fact or a known truth.

Why asks the reason or cause, often implying dismay or a negative assertion.

There are more definitions, but we’ll focus on wherefore and its use in the KJV.  It stresses, it expresses truth or a known fact – wherefore is always an antecedent, starting a clause with demonstrative stress: Truth (often in the person of the Lord) is being presented.   Often, wherefore compares fact with fiction.  In short, the word wherefore emphasizes truth and known facts; the words therefore or why do not necessarily act as antecedents, nor do they necessarily bring truth or fact to the fore (to prominence).

Let’s look at the word and let it define itself:

“And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh….?” - Genesis 18:13

Why did the LORD use wherefore and not why?  In verse 12, therefore was used, so what was the reason, one verse later, wherefore was used?  Note, wherefore was used in the context of truth and fact - and Sarah denied saying “I laughed not…”  But the LORD stressed truth and responded, “…Nay, but thou didst laugh.”  Wherefore is an antecedent; truth was the context, and truth was stressed.

And another:

“And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?” - Genesis 32:29

Why not use why?  - Wherefore was used; truth vs. fiction must be in the context, and it was.

Jacob finally tells the truth in the context: “What is thy name? And he said, Jacob” - v. 27

Not Esau (!) or any typical supporting lies (27:19, 20, 24) - he told the truth!  Wherefore is appropriately emphatic!

And another (but related)

“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret” - Judges 13:18.

So similar to Jacob – Manoah asked the Lord’s name, and this time the answer was framed by why, not wherefore.  But there are no apparent truths being brought forth, no facts about Manoah or the angel of the Lord (it remains secret).  No stress is required.  Why is appropriate.

And another

“…And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed.  Therefore take heed to your spirt…” - Malachi 2:15.

Several wherefores in this context highlight God’s will (truth, fact), versus Judah’s treachery (not true).  You can sense the... shall I say...emotion, when wherefore is used. Then, to sum it up and move on, a un-emphatic therefore is used .

Use in Hebrews

I couldn’t help but notice that throughout the epistle to the Hebrews, both wherefore and therefore are used extensively.  Typically, therefore leads an invitation to a conclusion: ‘let us therefore…’; however, wherefore boldly states a fact, a truth (often revealing a characteristic of Jesus).  It’s interesting to re-read this epistle with this supposedly archaic word defined: look for the truth being stressed when wherefore is used; look for an unemphatic progression ‘because of this ……now this’ when therefore is used.

Let’s not dismiss ‘archaic’ words as irrelevant just because it takes some work to define them;  our labour will be rewarded with clearer, accurate revelation.  Oh, by the way, Juliet wasn’t seeking Romeo’s location when she declared “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.”   The next line goes “Deny thy father and refuse thy name” – Romeo was of the Montaque family – enemies with Juliet’s family.   She was not asking where he was, but rather confirming the fact of their difficulties due to their family feud.  Interesting!