What Does 1 Samuel 9:23 Mean in the King James?

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

1 Samuel 9:23 · 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.

THE KEY

The portion is already counted out and set aside before it is brought forward; the verse makes care tangible as an assigned share.

THE MEANING

Care takes a precise shape here: a portion is given, kept beside the cook, and brought forward. Provision is a share deliberately held in readiness for its recipient; attention appears in what is placed and preserved.

THE ROOT

מָנָה

manah

GROWS FROM

מנה

The root ⁨מָנָה⁩ (manah) means to count, reckon, or appoint, and by extension to allot a share.

The word translated portion is ⁨מָנָה⁩ (manah), a share or allotment, from ⁨מנה⁩ (manah), the root of counting, numbering, and appointing. English names what is served; the Hebrew also carries the prior act of assigning, so the cook brings forward a share already designated.

ALSO GROWS

manah: To count, number, or appoint.

מָנָה

The verbal sense shows the counting and assigning carried beneath the portion in this verse.

moneh: One who counts or numbers.

מוֹנֶה

This form keeps the same root in view: an allotted share is something reckoned and designated.

THE PATTERN

A portion becomes care when it is made specific and held ready for its recipient.

And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Genesis 43:34 · KJVBenjamin receives a distinct portion, making the meal a visible act of particular attention.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Psalm 16:5 · KJVThe portion becomes the share that is held and maintained for the speaker.

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42 · KJVThe chosen part is personal and remains secure.

THE THREAD

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 · KJV

The Hebrew word ⁨וַיְמַן⁩ (wayman, appointed) translated prepared comes from the same root ⁨מנה⁩ (manah, count or appoint). Here the root names a portion assigned to someone; in Jonah it names what is appointed for someone, revealing the shared idea of deliberate allotment.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us