What Does Deuteronomy 15:14 Mean in the King James?
Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
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 Hebrew verb behind “furnish him liberally” is commonly linked to adorning someone with a necklace: the person leaving is sent out with provision, not empty-handed.
THE MEANING
Here, freedom takes material form: the flock, grain, and wine become provision in the hands of the one leaving your service. What the LORD blesses you with reaches beyond you through what you give.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that release is complete once the bond is broken is undone here: the newly free person does not leave empty-handed.
THE ROOT
הַעֲנֵיק תַּעֲנִיק
haʿanēq taʿanîq
GROWS FROM
ענק
ʿ-n-q
The rare verb means to furnish or bestow lavishly and is traditionally associated with adorning someone with a necklace.
“furnish him liberally” in this verse is haʿanēq taʿanîq. The unusual verb carries more than the idea of handing over a little help: it evokes sending someone away adorned with provision. The verse pictures release as a departure equipped for what comes next.
ALSO GROWS
haʿanēq: Furnish or bestow
הַעֲנֵיק
This form intensifies the command to provide generously.
ʿānāq: Neck ornament or necklace
עָנָק
The related noun gives the verb an image of provision set upon the departing person like an adornment.
בֵּרַכְךָ
bērakhkha
GROWS FROM
ברך
b-r-k
To bless; the same root also names the knee.
“blessed” in this verse is bērakhkha. The root holds blessing and knee together, while this verse makes blessing tangible as livestock, grain, and wine. What is received as blessing becomes material provision for another.
ALSO GROWS
bārakh: Bless
בָּרַךְ
This is the verb used for what the LORD has done for the giver.
berekh: Knee
בֶּרֶךְ
The shared root connects blessing with the bent knee, revealing a bodily image beneath the abstract word.
berākhāh: Blessing
בְּרָכָה
This noun names the received good that the verse shows taking the form of provisions given away.
תִּתֶּן
titten
GROWS FROM
נתן
n-t-n
To give, set, or place.
“give” in this verse is titten. The verse does not leave generosity as an inward feeling: blessing culminates in placing real goods into another person’s keeping. Flock, grain, and wine pass from one hand to another.
ALSO GROWS
nātan: Give, set, or place
נָתַן
This verb makes the command concrete: the provision is transferred to the departing person.
mattanāh: Gift
מַתָּנָה
The related noun names what is placed in another’s hands, illuminating the material character of this release.
THE PATTERN
Freedom reaches beyond release itself when provision accompanies the person who leaves.
And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)THE THREAD
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:The same root for “blessed” and “blessing” links what is received with what flows onward. Deuteronomy 15:14 gives that movement a concrete shape: blessing becomes provisions placed in another person’s hands.
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