What Does 1 Samuel 17:29 Mean in the King James?
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
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
“Cause” is dabar, word and matter, so David points to something with substance to be spoken, not a vague excuse.
THE MEANING
When your motive is challenged, the accusation does not erase the matter you are answering. “Cause” is dabar: a word, a thing, a matter with substance. David’s question keeps that matter in view even as the conversation turns against him.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being challenged does not prove that your concern is empty; a real matter can remain beneath an accusation about your motives.
THE ROOT
דָּבָר
dāḇār
GROWS FROM
דבר
To speak; by extension, a word, thing, affair, or matter.
The Hebrew noun can mean both a spoken word and the matter or event itself. English “cause” preserves the sense of a reason, while dabar also lets the reason be something that can be spoken and examined.
ALSO GROWS
devarim: Words, things, or matters.
דְּבָרִים
The plural keeps speech and substance together: the “things” at issue can also be the words used to name them.
dibber: He spoke; to speak.
דִּבֶּר
This verb from the same root makes the connection explicit: the matter in David’s question belongs to the same word-family as speaking.
דָּוִד
Dāwîḏ
GROWS FROM
דוד
Beloved; loved one.
David’s name carries the sense of belovedness, but the verse does not shield him from accusation. He answers the challenge by bringing the matter itself into view.
ALSO GROWS
dod: Beloved or loved one; also a kinsman.
דּוֹד
This related word carries the beloved sense associated with David’s name.
dodim: Love or endearments.
דּוֹדִים
This form in the same word-family makes the name’s association with love audible in the language.
THE PATTERN
A word in Scripture can carry a matter into view or bear the substance of what is spoken.
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.THE THREAD
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.The Hebrew behind “cause” is dabar, the same word in “By the word of the LORD.” That shared root lets David’s question hold more than an excuse: a matter can have the substance of something spoken and consequential.
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