What Does 1 Samuel 9:27 Mean in the King James?

And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

1 Samuel 9:27 · 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

Behind “show,” Samuel’s Hebrew says “I will cause you to hear,” placing revelation in the act of listening.

THE MEANING

The movement pauses: one servant goes ahead while you are told to take your stand. Samuel’s verb for “shew” means “cause you to hear,” so the word of God reaches you through listening.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse dissolves the assumption that divine disclosure must be a spectacle to inspect; beneath “show,” the Hebrew carries the sense “cause to hear.”

THE ROOT

וְאַשְׁמִיעֲךָ

ve’ashmi’akha

GROWS FROM

שמע

sh-m-ʿ

Hear, listen, and respond.

The verb translated “shew” literally means “cause you to hear.” The word is disclosed through hearing that can answer, giving this moment the shape of encounter rather than spectacle.

ALSO GROWS

shama: Hear, listen, respond.

שָׁמַע

This is the root verb: receiving the word involves attentive hearing.

shemuah: Report, tidings, something heard.

שְׁמוּעָה

The same root can name a message carried as news, linking hearing with what is communicated.

דְּבַר

devar

GROWS FROM

דבר

d-b-r

Speak; a spoken matter or thing.

Davar can mean both “word” and “matter” or “thing.” The word of God is presented as substance to be heard, not merely a label or an idea.

ALSO GROWS

dibber: Spoke; speaks.

דִּבֶּר

The verbal branch shows that a davar is something spoken.

devarim: Words, matters, things.

דְּבָרִים

The plural keeps speech and the matters it expresses together.

THE PATTERN

God’s disclosure meets a person who becomes attentive and remains with what is heard.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exodus 14:13 · KJVThe people are told to stand still as they see the LORD’s deliverance unfold.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 · KJVSamuel’s attentive answer shows hearing as a ready response to the word.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:31 · KJVThe word is received through continuing in it, a sustained attention that deepens understanding.

THE THREAD

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:4 · KJV

Samuel’s “shew” and Deuteronomy’s opening “Hear” share the root ⁨שמע⁩ (sh-m-ʿ), meaning to hear and respond. The connection reveals that God’s word is received through listening that calls for a response.

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