What Does 1 Samuel 17:42 Mean in the King James?
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
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 Philistine’s sight and David’s appearance come from the same Hebrew root, exposing how quickly a visible impression hardens into contempt.
THE MEANING
You can be reduced to what another person sees: here, David’s youth and appearance become grounds for disdain. The verse shows a gaze turning visible traits into a verdict about a person’s worth. That verdict reveals the limits of the one looking.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A youthful appearance is enough to measure someone’s worth or capacity.
THE ROOT
מַרְאֶה
mar’eh
GROWS FROM
ראה
r-’-h
To see or perceive.
The verse uses this root for both the Philistine’s seeing and David’s appearance. English separates the act of seeing from what is seen, while Hebrew lets the shared root expose how an impression of the surface becomes a verdict.
ALSO GROWS
ra’ah: To see or perceive.
רָאָה
This is the verb behind the Philistine’s seeing David.
ro’eh: One who sees; a seer.
רֹאֶה
It extends seeing from a momentary glance to the one whose way of perceiving shapes what they conclude.
וַיִּבְזֵהוּ
vayyivzehu
GROWS FROM
בזה
b-z-h
To treat as contemptible or of little worth.
“disdained” in this verse is vayyivzehu. The word makes the Philistine’s response more than a passing dislike: he regards David as beneath consideration. The verse shows contempt forming as he measures a person by visible traits.
ALSO GROWS
nivzeh: Despised or regarded as lowly.
נִבְזֶה
It describes the state of being treated as beneath regard, the judgment the Philistine places on David.
bizayon: Contempt or disgrace.
בִּזָּיוֹן
This related form names the dishonor that grows when someone is treated as insignificant.
דָּוִד
David
GROWS FROM
דוד
d-w-d
Beloved; the name carries the nature of one who is beloved.
David’s name carries the meaning beloved, while the Philistine reads only his youth and appearance. The contrast places the visible judgment beside a name that speaks to a deeper nature.
ALSO GROWS
dod: Beloved; also a beloved kinsman.
דּוֹד
This root word carries the beloved meaning preserved in David’s name.
dodim: Beloved affections or endearments.
דּוֹדִים
This plural form extends the root’s language of belovedness beyond a label into affection.
THE PATTERN
When visible appearance becomes a verdict, what can be seen is mistaken for the whole person.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.THE THREAD
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.The same ראה (ra’ah, see) root links the Philistine’s act of seeing with David’s appearance. This verse makes the divide explicit: what a person sees on the outside is not the whole of what can be perceived.
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