The correct spelling of the phrase "wast born again" may seem confusing. The use of "wast" is an archaic form of "were," while "born" is the past participle of "bear." The phrase means to be reborn or to experience a spiritual or metaphorical awakening. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the pronunciation would be /wɑst bɔːrn əˈɡeɪn/, with emphasis on the second syllable of "again." Though the spelling may seem old-fashioned, the phrase has continued to be used in religious contexts.