What Does 2 Samuel 18:23 Mean in the King James?

But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

2 Samuel 18:23 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Ahimaaz passes Cushi by crossing beyond him; being first proves only who got ahead, not who carries the fullest truth.

THE MEANING

A request to run becomes a race along the plain road, and Ahimaaz passes Cushi. You see a clear lead in distance, while the account around this moment keeps speed separate from knowledge of what has happened.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Being the first to arrive means being the best-informed messenger.

THE ROOT

וַיַּעֲבֹר

wayyaʿavor

GROWS FROM

עבר

ʿ-b-r

To cross, pass over, or go beyond.

“overran” in this verse is wayyaʿavor. The Hebrew verb says Ahimaaz passed beyond the Cushite, making the action one of crossing past him. The verse measures who gets ahead; the root itself does not say what the messenger knows.

ALSO GROWS

ʿever: A place or side beyond a boundary.

עֵבֶר

This branch echoes the crossing beyond another runner that marks Ahimaaz’s lead.

maʿavar: A passage or place of crossing, including a ford.

מַעֲבָר

It makes the movement legible as passage from one side to beyond, rather than collision with Cushi.

וַיָּרָץ

wayyarats

GROWS FROM

רוץ

r-w-ṣ

To run or hurry.

“ran” in this verse is wayyarats. The same root names the act of running, a runner, and a race, keeping movement and contest in one word-family. Here the verb describes the race, while the following root ⁨עבר⁩ tells how Ahimaaz gets ahead: he passes beyond Cushi.

ALSO GROWS

rāts: A person who runs.

רָץ

The branch keeps the runner joined to the action taking place on the road.

mērōts: A race or course of running.

מֵרוֹץ

This is the word used for the race in Ecclesiastes 9:11, where being swift does not guarantee the outcome.

THE PATTERN

Speed alone cannot establish the value, truth, or outcome of what arrives.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 · KJVThe swift runner is not guaranteed the race, so visible speed cannot promise the outcome.

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Proverbs 18:17 · KJVThe first account can appear right until another account examines it, separating priority from settled truth.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

1 Corinthians 9:26 · KJVThe runner’s movement has meaning through its direction and intention, not through motion alone.

THE THREAD

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Psalm 119:32 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨רוץ⁩ (ruts, “to run”), and both set running on a way. Psalm 119 connects that movement with a heart made wide, showing how the way a runner takes gives the running its direction.

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