Words have power, but not always the power we think they do. In biblical studies, it’s a common error to assume that the meaning of a word can be traced back to its ancient roots, as if the essence of that word has remained untouched through the ages. But language is not a fossil—it’s alive, evolving with each generation. Just as the word “nice” no longer implies ignorance, many words in Scripture have meanings that shifted over time. This dynamic nature of language can make interpreting ancient texts challenging, especially when we fall into the trap of the root word fallacy. In this article, we’ll explore why this common mistake can lead to misunderstanding in Bible study or preaching, and how recognizing it will aid our approach to Bible study. Introduction to the Idea of the Root Word Fallacy We’ve covered fallacies before, including the Red Herring Fallacy, The Strawman…