What does the term 'divers places' mean?

Question

In the King James Bible, Matthew 24:7 states:

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The Bible is a source where there are a multitude of variations or translations available for comparison online. Bible Gateway is one such site. Here's one that lets you compare side by side.
"Divers alarums and excursions', 'You always put that in plays.' Alarums and what?', said Nanny Ogg, who hadn't been listening. Excursions', said Magrat patiently. Oh.' Nanny Ogg brightened a bit. 'The seaside would be nice,' 'They're not for you. They're only for divers, like it says. Probably so they can recover from all them alarums." — Terry Pratchett (Wyrd Sisters)
Has some one quoted this direct reference? oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/divers

Marthaª · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-07 15:04:12Z

up vote 10 down vote accepted

Divers is an archaic spelling of diverse, meaning many and varied places, or a lot of different places.

EDIT: A better source confirms here.

edited Apr 7 '11 at 15:04

Marthaª
16.7k34289

answered Apr 7 '11 at 14:58

Robb
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@Billare - Ta for tidying that link up for me! – Robb Apr 7 '11 at 15:03

JSBձոգչ · Answer 2 · 2011-04-07 14:59:05Z

up vote 5 down vote

The word divers is an old spelling of diverse. The phrase divers places just means "many different places".

answered Apr 7 '11 at 14:59

JSBձոգչ
32.4k291163

2 Answers