The spelling of "doeth likewise" may appear peculiar to English speakers in modern times, but it is a remnant of Early Modern English. The word "doeth" follows the archaic verb conjugation pattern of the third person singular present indicative in Early Modern English. It is pronounced as /dʌθ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with a voiced dental fricative "th" sound. "Likewise" is pronounced as /ˈlaɪkwaɪz/ in IPA, with stress on the first syllable and a voiced palato-alveolar fricative "sh" sound.
"Doeth likewise" is an archaic phrase found in the King James Version of the Bible, derived from Old English. It is a combination of the verb "doeth," which is the third-person singular present form of "do," and the adverb "likewise." Together, the phrase expresses the idea of imitating or following the same actions or behavior as someone else.
In biblical contexts, "doeth likewise" often appears as an instruction or a command. It advises readers or listeners to observe or mimic the actions of a specific individual or group. The phrase emphasizes the importance of imitating positive or righteous behavior in order to achieve desirable outcomes or emulate a moral example.
Beyond biblical text, "doeth likewise" can be understood as a call to follow the same pattern, procedure, or course of action as another person. It implies imitation of a specific action or behavior based on the belief that it is correct or beneficial. This phrase can also refer to mirroring someone's response or reaction to a particular situation.
Though not commonly used in contemporary language, "doeth likewise" expresses the notion of modeling behavior and actions after an established set of standards or the example of others. It suggests the value of imitating virtuous conduct or emulating behaviors that have led to success or positive outcomes.
The phrase "doeth likewise" can be broken down into two parts: "doeth" and "likewise".
The word "doeth" is derived from the Old English word "dōþ", which is the third person singular present tense form of the verb "do". It indicates an action being performed by someone or something. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling have changed, but the meaning has remained the same.
The term "likewise" comes from the Middle English word "likewīse", which means "in the same way" or "similarly". It is a combination of "like" and "wise", where "wise" means "way" or "manner". The phrase "doeth likewise" implies doing something in a similar manner or following someone's example.