What does hath mean?
Hath is the archaic third-person singular present tense of have. In ordinary modern English, the equivalent is has, so “the king hath granted” would normally appear as “the king has granted.” Hath retains the same basic meanings as have: possession, experience, causation, and the formation of perfect constructions such as “he hath gone.” Because it is no longer part of standard contemporary usage, it sounds deliberate, elevated, traditional, or historical. It is especially recognizable in the King James Bible, older literature, formal quotations, and ceremonial or legal language, where it can lend weight and a distinctly old-fashioned rhythm. Although its grammar is simple, hath is useful to readers because it marks a boundary between modern English and the language preserved in literary and religious texts. Its appearance should generally be understood as a stylistic choice rather than as an ordinary alternative to has.
verbHath is an archaic third-person singular present-tense form of the verb have, meaning “has” or “possesses.” It is also used as an auxiliary in constructions equivalent to modern English forms of “has,” especially in perfect tenses.
- Archaic third-person singular present indicative of have: “has,” “possesses,” or “holds”; it can also function as an auxiliary in perfect constructions.
"The old oak hath stood sentinel over the village for three centuries."
"The king hath granted the prisoners their freedom."
"She hath journeyed farther than any of her companions."
Hath is the “has” that Shakespeare and the King James Bible made unforgettable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hath come from?
Hath developed from Old English hæfþ, the third-person singular present form of habban, meaning “to have” or “to possess.” It continued in Middle English and survives today chiefly in archaic, biblical, legal, and poetic contexts. It is cognate with German hat and Dutch heeft, reflecting a verb inherited through Proto-Germanic from the same Germanic verbal system.
Related word forms
How hath is actually used
Hath is archaic or literary rather than part of ordinary modern English. It occurs chiefly in the King James Bible, older literature, formal quotations, and ceremonial or legal language, where its antiquated character may create an elevated, traditional, or solemn effect.
Easily confused with hath
Hath is the archaic third-person singular form of have, while has is the standard modern English equivalent.