What Does Deuteronomy 3:23 Mean in the King James?
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
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 frames this appeal not merely as asking, but as seeking favor.
THE MEANING
The verse holds the moment before the request comes fully into view: you turn toward the LORD and seek favor. “At that time” places the appeal in a real moment, while “saying” opens the words that follow. The reaching itself is visible before the outcome.
THE ROOT
וָאֶתְחַנַּן
va’etchannan
GROWS FROM
חנן
ḥānan
To show favor; to be gracious.
The verb comes from the same root as חֵן (ḥēn), “favor,” and תְּחִנָּה (teḥinnāh), “a plea for favor.” The English “besought” can sound like a general request, while the Hebrew names the kind of help being sought: favor.
ALSO GROWS
ḥēn: Favor or gracious regard.
חֵן
This branch names what the appeal seeks, linking the act of pleading directly to favor.
teḥinnāh: A supplication or plea for favor.
תְּחִנָּה
This related word makes explicit the shape of the appeal already present in the verb.
THE PATTERN
A plea for help takes shape around favor, whether favor is sought by the petitioner or named as the giver’s action.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.THE THREAD
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.Deuteronomy 3:23 uses חנן (ḥānan) for a plea seeking favor; Exodus 33:19 uses the same root for the LORD’s gracious action. The shared word-family joins the asking and the favor being sought.
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