What Does Judges 9:42 Mean in the King James?
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
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 word translated “told” carries the image of bringing something into view, so speech here places knowledge before Abimelech.
THE MEANING
Here, people go out into the field and bring word to Abimelech. The verse links movement and disclosure: what comes into view is made known to another.
THE ROOT
וַיַּגִּידוּ
wayyaggidū
GROWS FROM
נגד
n-g-d
To be in front or conspicuous; in the causative form, to make known, declare, or tell.
English “told” can sound like a simple transfer of words; this root also carries the sense of making something visible, setting it before someone. The people’s report brings something they know before Abimelech.
ALSO GROWS
neged: Before, in front of, opposite.
נֶגֶד
This branch carries the sense of something set before another, illuminating how telling brings knowledge into view.
maggid: One who declares; a declarer.
מַגִּיד
The same root names the one who makes something known, turning private knowledge into a declaration.
אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
ʾAvimelekh
GROWS FROM
מלך
m-l-k
To rule, reign, or be king.
Abimelech joins אָב (av, father) with מֶלֶךְ (melekh, king): “my father is king.” The report is delivered to someone whose name itself carries kingship, giving its destination a texture beyond a personal label.
ALSO GROWS
melekh: King.
מֶלֶךְ
This is the royal element in Abimelech’s name, making kingship part of the verse’s stated destination.
malkhut: Kingship, royal rule.
מַלְכוּת
This noun from the same root makes explicit the rule carried in the name.
THE PATTERN
What is encountered becomes knowable to others when it is brought before them.
And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.THE THREAD
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.The Hebrew word translated “sheweth” is מַגִּיד (maggid), from the same root נגד as “told” in this verse. In Judges, people make something known to Abimelech; in the psalm, the firmament does so through what it displays.
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