No one expecting to give an account of their lives to God would name a town in the USA Intercourse today. Per the Merriam-Webster definition it has sexual meaning. (I choose to not paste the definition.) But in Webster’s 1828 dictionary there was nothing sexual in its meaning.
intercourse
IN’TERCOURSE, n. [L. intercursus, intercurro; inter and curro, to run.] Literally, a running or passing between. Hence,
1) Communication; commerce; connection by reciprocal dealings between persons or nations, either in common affairs and civilities, in trade, or correspondence by letters. We have an intercourse with neighbors and friends in mutual visits and in social concerns; nations and individuals have intercourse with foreign nations or individuals by an interchange of commodities, by purchase and sale, by treaties, contracts, &c.
2) Silent communication or exchange.
This sweet intercourse
Of looks and smiles.
https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/Intercourse
It was perfectly reasonable for Cross Keys, Pennsylvania to change its name to Intercourse in 1814. From the wikipedia page:
… A final idea comes from the use of language during the early days of the Village. The word ‘intercourse’ was commonly used to describe the ‘fellowship’ and ‘social interaction and support’ shared in the community of faith, which was much a part of a rural village like this one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercourse,_Pennsylvania
The meaning of the word intercourse from the 1800’s to now shows how the English language has changed over time. In my lifetime the meanings of calculator and scan have changed, and when I’m writing software the word cookie brings to mind a browser local storage method, not something with chocolate chips.
Are older English translations of the Bible, such as the Geneva Bible, useful today? Yes, of course. But the primary issue I have had is with words whose modern meanings are different from what the meaning was when the translation was made. Consider the word conversation. Today it means an oral or electronic exchange. But in 1828 other meanings were higher precedence.
conversation
CONVERSATION, n.
1. General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals.
Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel. Philippians 1.
Be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Peter 1.
2. A keeping company; familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; commerce in social life. Knowledge of men and manners is best acquired by conversation with the best company.
3. Intimate and familiar acquaintance; as a conversation with books, or other object.
4. Familiar discourse; general intercourse of sentiments; chat; unrestrained talk; opposed to a formal conference.
What I mentioned in conversation was not a new thought.
[This is now the most general use of the word.]
https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/conversation
Verses like these from the KJV can be difficult to understand if you don’t know that in 1611 the word conversation was what we today would call behavior, conduct, or way of life.
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Galatians 1:13 KJV
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Ephesians 4:22 KJV
Here are the verses in the NKJV.
For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
Galatians 1:13 NKJV
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
Ephesians 4:22 NKJV
This is a verse I completely misunderstood in the KJV. I was a young Christian, but I thought it meant I could tell God what to do.
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
Isaiah 45:11 KJV
This, I believe, is a much better translation for us modern-English readers.
This is what the LORD says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: “Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?”
Isaiah 45:11 NLT
I have spent several hours reading the Geneva Bible.
It’s not too bad after awhile of getting used to the old spelling: “And mens hearts shal faile them for feare, … And when these things begin to come to passe, then loke vp, and lift vp your heads: …”
I prefer a modern translation for my daily use, so I don’t have to continually look up words in Webster’s 1828 dictionary, and then try to remember them. 🙂
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Has the rapture happened? You can still be saved and go to heaven! --- Are you following God's plan for your life? You should. Your plan is not going to work. It is a really, really bad plan. Please come to Jesus to escape your plan! Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Jesus is coming. Are you ready to meet Him? Give your life to Jesus Christ. Time is running out.
July 17, 2023. Updated links, as https://1828.mshaffer.com has an expired certificate.
Lift Up Your Eyes! 
comer, beber, ser tocado é capacidade até dos anjos em suas aparições corporais. Mas laços matrimoniais é até a morte. Não haverá sujeição da esposa ao marido para a eternidade. Todos seremos irmãos e é isso que a Bíblia mostra.
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Via google translate: “eating, drinking, being touched is the ability even of angels in their bodily appearances. But marriage ties are up to death. There will be no subjection of the wife to the husband for eternity. We will all be brothers and that is what the Bible shows.”
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Wow. Thank you.
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YW. 🙂
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How the significance of one definition of a word becomes dominate in focus by people over time than other meaning of a term…
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