What Does Genesis 29:5 Mean in the King James?
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know 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 same Hebrew verb that names intimate knowing also means recognizing a person, so this ordinary question carries a depth English leaves unspoken.
THE MEANING
You meet a question that reaches beyond whether a name sounds familiar: do you know the person? The reply comes from shared recognition, and the Hebrew verb carries the possibility of knowing through encounter, not simply holding information.
THE ROOT
הֲיְדַעְתֶּם
ha-yedaʿtem
GROWS FROM
ידע
y-d-ʿ
To know, recognize, or become acquainted through experience.
English “know” can sound like possessing information; the Hebrew root י-ד-ע (y-d-ʿ) also names intimate knowing and the knowledge that grows from it. The same verb frames both the question and answer, making this exchange about recognition between people.
ALSO GROWS
yādaʿ: Know, recognize; also know intimately.
יָדַע
In Genesis 4:1, this verb describes Adam knowing Eve, showing that the root can hold personal recognition and intimate encounter together.
daʿat: Knowledge, knowing.
דַּעַת
This noun grows from the same root, showing knowledge as something connected to the act of knowing.
THE PATTERN
Biblical knowing grows through encounter and recognition, reaching beyond information alone.
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.THE THREAD
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.The verb יָדַע (yādaʿ, know) comes from the same root in both verses; in Genesis 4:1 it names intimate knowing. That range sits beneath the shepherds’ simple exchange too: the word can hold recognition and relationship together.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us