Which is correct: "an holy" or "a holy"?

Favorite Answer

Bible translations will have to keep changing to reflect the common language and spoken tongue of the day.

When the King James version came out in the 1600s, it was written in everyday language. But that language has now changed, and there are many words in it that are no longer used. For this reason, many modern Bible readers tend to prefer more contemporary Bibles like Today's New International Version, the New International Version or the New Living Translation, which use words from our modern vocabulary.

Deuteronomy 28:9
Viewing the 1769 King James Version.
The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

King James Version of Deuteronomy 28:9
The Lord shall establish thee an holy people vnto himselfe, as hee hath sworne vnto thee, if thou shalt keepe the Commaundements of the Lord thy God, and walke in his wayes.
- 1611 King James Bible

- 1769 Oxford King James Bible 'Authorized Version

The Lord shall establish thee an holy people vnto himselfe, as hee hath sworne vnto thee, if thou shalt keepe the Commaundements of the Lord thy God, and walke in his wayes.
- King James Version (1611)

"The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Jehovah will establish thee for a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee; if thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, and walk in his ways.
- American Standard Version (1901)

The Lord will keep you as a people holy to himself, as he has said to you in his oath, if you keep the orders of the Lord your God and go on walking in his ways.
- Basic English Bible

Jehovah will establish thee unto himself a holy people as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, and walk in his ways.
- Darby Bible

The Lord will raise thee up to be a holy people to himself, as he swore to thee: if thou keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
- Douay Rheims Bible

The LORD shall establish thee a holy people to himself, as he hath sworn to thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
- Webster's Bible

Yahweh will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you; if you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways.
- World English Bible

`Jehovah doth establish thee to Himself for a holy people, as He hath sworn to thee, when thou keepest the commands of Jehovah thy God, and hast walked in His ways;
- Youngs Literal Bible

The LORD will establish thee for a holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee; if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in His ways.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible...Show more

Current usage is to place "an" in front of a word starting with "h" only if the "h" is not pronounced, as in "an honorable intention". The article "a" is used if the "h" is pronounced, as in "a holiday". One of the reasons for new Bible translations is to make the words more similar to current speech and writing....Show more

'a holy' is correct, because 'h' is pronounced like 'him' in holy....Show more