Bible Dictionary
PROPER
Proper may mean one’s own, fitting, or belonging particularly to someone. Older translations use it in expressions such as “proper child” and “proper tongue,” now commonly rendered goodly child or own language.
Definition
Proper may mean one’s own, fitting, particular, or belonging especially to someone. Older biblical translations use it in expressions that later versions clarify as goodly, own, or language.
Biblical Usage
“Proper child” is rendered “goodly child,” “their proper tongue” is rendered “their language,” and other passages use “proper” where later versions say “own.”
Historical Background
The older expressions are not necessarily obsolete, but their meanings can sound stronger or narrower in modern English. Revision commonly replaces them with more direct wording.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>prop'-er: For the King James Version "proper" (child), in Heb 11:23, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "goodly"; in 1Ch 29:3; 1Co 7:7, the Revised Version (British and American) "own" is employed, and for the too emphatic "their proper tongue" in Ac 1:19 "their language" is written. But none of the King James Version forms are really obsolete.</p>