What Does Mark 5:9 Mean in the King James?
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
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
One name gathers a multitude: “Legion” is singular, while “we are many” reveals what it contains.
THE MEANING
The verse places one name beside a plural voice and lets neither cancel the other. “Legion” gathers many into a shared designation, while “we are many” keeps their plurality explicit.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the assumption that one name must mean one presence: the answer holds a singular designation and a multitude together.
THE ROOT
ὄνομα
onoma
GROWS FROM
ὄνομα
Name, designation, or identifying reputation.
The Greek word for name carries more than a label: it can identify the nature gathered under it. Here, one name holds a collective identity, and the answer immediately opens that identity into many.
ALSO GROWS
onomazō: To name, designate, or call by name.
ὀνομάζω
The act of naming gives a shared designation to the many voices named in the answer.
onomasti: By name; individually or specifically named.
ὀνομαστί
This branch brings the individual force of naming into view beside the collective name “Legion.”
THE PATTERN
A name gathers and discloses the nature carried by its bearer.
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.THE THREAD
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.Both verses turn on the same Greek word, ὄνομα (onoma, “name”). In Mark, the name gathers many into one designation; here, a name marks an identity known by the one who receives it.
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