What Does Luke 19:26 Mean in the King James?
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from 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 repeated word “hath” makes possession a living question: what is truly held can grow, while even a remaining share can be lost.
THE MEANING
This names an asymmetry: what you truly receive becomes the place from which more can be given. What only seems to remain is not secure; even that remainder can pass away. The paradox holds both sides together: someone can “have not” and still have something that is taken.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a small remainder is automatically secure: what appears to be possessed can still be lost.
THE ROOT
ἔχω
echō
GROWS FROM
ἔχω
echō
to have, hold, or possess
“hath” in this verse is echō. The same Greek verb appears in all three clauses: the one who has, the one who has not, and even what he has. Its range of “have” and “hold” lets the verse question whether a possession is truly held or is only a remainder poised to be lost.
ALSO GROWS
katechō: hold fast, retain
κατέχω
This branch makes the question of having include whether something can be retained.
metechō: partake, share in
μετέχω
Having can also mean having a share, suggesting participation rather than mere inventory.
δίδωμι
didōmi
GROWS FROM
διδω-
didō-
to give, grant, or hand over
The one who has receives more through a passive “shall be given”: increase arrives as something bestowed. Set beside the taking away, the verse presents abundance and loss as transfers, not as possessions sealed off from change.
ALSO GROWS
dosis: giving, gift
δόσις
This related noun keeps the focus on what is bestowed and received.
paradidōmi: hand over, deliver
παραδίδωμι
This compound carries the same giving root into a transfer of custody, echoing the verse’s movement between receiving and losing.
THE PATTERN
What is received and engaged can grow into greater capacity, while what only seems possessed can diminish.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.THE THREAD
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.Luke 8:18 repeats the same verb ἔχω for “hath,” then sharpens the final phrase to “that which he seemeth to have.” That addition opens the paradox: something can look possessed without being held in a way that endures.
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