King James Version
1 Samuel 21:3 in the King James Version says “Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: He...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: Heb. found”
1 Samuel 21:3 · KJV
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: Heb. found
And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
“Now therefore what is”
H3426there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
“in mine hand”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
“loaves of bread”
H3899food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
“in mine hand”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
“or what there is present”
H4672properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
1 Samuel 21:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Samuel 21:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge