What Does 1 Samuel 29:10 Mean in the King James?

Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.

1 Samuel 29:10 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Departure comes after the light appears: the way forward becomes visible before the leaving begins.

THE MEANING

The verse gives the reader a sequence for departure now: rise, wait until there is light, then go. Light is named as the condition that makes the next step visible.

THE ROOT

אוֹר

ʾor

GROWS FROM

א־ו־ר

To be light or shine; light.

The Hebrew says there is light “for you” before the command to go. The same root names both light itself and the act of shining, so light is more than a backdrop here: it is what makes departure possible to see.

ALSO GROWS

māʾōr: Luminary; a body or source of light.

מָאוֹר

This branch shows light as something that can be carried or borne into view, not only an abstract condition.

hēʾîr: To shine or illuminate.

הֵאִיר

This verb makes light an event. In this verse, light arrives before movement, marking when the departure can begin.

THE PATTERN

Light marks when movement can begin and where the way leads.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exodus 13:21 · KJVLight accompanies the journey and makes movement through the night possible.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 · KJVLight makes the path ahead visible to the one walking it.

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

John 12:35 · KJVWalking is tied to the presence of light, which reveals where the way leads.

THE THREAD

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 · KJV

“Light” in this verse is ⁨אוֹר⁩ (ʾor), the same Hebrew word in the path-light of 1 Samuel 29:10. Psalm 119 makes explicit what the departure command leaves implicit: light marks the way that can be walked.

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