What Does 1 Kings 2:14 Mean in the King James?
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The matter he carries and Bathsheba’s “speak” share one Hebrew root: what is held as a thing becomes a word when another makes room for it.
THE MEANING
A matter can be present before it is fully spoken. Here, the Hebrew uses one root for the matter being carried and Bathsheba’s “speak,” joining what is held to the act of voicing it. Her brief reply opens space for the matter to become shared.
THE ROOT
דָּבָר
dāḇār
GROWS FROM
דבר
The root carries the sense of speaking; as a noun, it names a word, matter, or thing.
“matter / speak” in this verse is dāḇār. The Hebrew uses the same root for the matter Adonijah has and Bathsheba’s reply, “speak.” What English presents as a thing and an action belong to one word-family: the matter is what can be spoken.
ALSO GROWS
dāḇār: Word, matter, or thing.
דָּבָר
This is the word behind the matter he says he has; it can name both what is said and the thing being discussed.
dabbēr: Speak.
דַּבֵּר
This is Bathsheba’s reply, from the same root as the matter he carries; her answer makes speech possible.
THE PATTERN
A held word becomes shareable when another person makes room to hear it.
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.THE THREAD
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.The Hebrew “Speak” in Samuel comes from the same root as the “matter” and “speak” in this verse. Samuel’s answer adds the listener’s side of the exchange: the word is met by someone ready to hear.
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