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kus´tum (usage): In the Old Testament, except, where the Revised Version (British and American) renders, better, “manner†(דּרך, derekh, “wayâ€), the words translated “custom†are hÌ£oÌ„kÌ£, hÌ£ukÌ£kÌ£aÌ„h, “statute,†and mishpaÌ„tÌ£, “judgment.†Such passages as ; , and especially (the King James Version “custom,†the Revised Version (British and American) “ordinanceâ€), illustrate the difficulty of deciding upon the proper translation, in cases where “custom†might become “statute,†“usage†establish itself as “law.†In ; the reference is to heathen religious practices.
In the New Testament ; ; ; (the King James Version “mannerâ€); ; ; ; (ἐÌθος, eÌthos), and from the same Greek root, refer likewise to definitely established religious practices; in every case except , those of the Jewish law. The Revised Version (British and American) makes the translation of ethos uniform, reading “custom†in (the King James Version “wontâ€) and in ; ; (the King James Version “mannerâ€). Greek εἰωθοÌÏ‚, eioÌ„thoÌs, from the same root, is rendered “custom†in by English Versions of the Bible, and by the Revised Version (British and American) also in , its only other occurrence in the New Testament. In ; “custom†is the translation of Greek suneÌ„Ìtheia, in the sense of “usage†rather than of “law.â€