What Does Psalm 127:4 Mean in the King James?

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Psalm 127:4 · KJV

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

A child is a future-reaching life held in the hand of one who prevails.

THE MEANING

You hold a life whose reach extends beyond your own present. The verse places children beside arrows in a warrior’s hand: what is held in strength now can travel farther than the hand itself.

THE ROOT

גִּבּוֹר

gibbōr

GROWS FROM

גבר

g-b-r

To be strong, to prevail.

“mighty man” in this verse is gibbōr. ⁨גִּבּוֹר⁩ (gibbōr, mighty one) comes from ⁨גבר⁩ (g-b-r, to be strong or prevail), a root that also names might and strength. The arrow rests in the hand of one who prevails, framing the child as a life held in strength with a reach that extends beyond the present.

ALSO GROWS

gāvar: to be strong, prevail

גָּבַר

This verb carries the force inside “mighty”: the hand holds from a position of strength.

gevurah: might, strength

גְּבוּרָה

This noun shows the same root as a quality of power, linking the mighty hand to the strength that holds the arrow.

gever: man, a strong or able-bodied man

גֶּבֶר

This branch brings the root’s strength into the human figure holding the arrows.

THE PATTERN

What is held and prepared in the present can carry strength into a future beyond its holder.

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Isaiah 49:2 · KJVThe shaft is held in the hand and hidden in the quiver before its reach is seen.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalm 78:4 · KJVWhat one generation holds becomes what it shows and carries forward to the next.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2 · KJVWhat is entrusted to one person keeps traveling through those who can pass it on.

THE THREAD

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Psalm 145:12 · KJV

Psalm 127 uses ⁨גִּבּוֹר⁩ (gibbōr, mighty one), from ⁨גבר⁩ (g-b-r, to be strong or prevail); Psalm 145 uses ⁨גְּבוּרוֹתָיו⁩ (gevurotav, his mighty acts) from the same root. The connection moves from strength holding a child to strength made known to the next generation.

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