King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:4 in the King James Version says “And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the y... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 21:4 · KJV


Context

2

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.

3

Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: Heb. found

4

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.

5

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

6

So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread , that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Ahimelech's response introduces a profound tension between ritual law and human necessity. The Hebrew 'lechem chol' (common bread) versus 'lechem qodesh' (holy bread) distinguishes ordinary food from the showbread reserved for priests (Leviticus 24:5-9). The condition regarding ceremonial purity reflects Leviticus 15's regulations about sexual activity and cleanness. This incident became the basis for Jesus's teaching about the Sabbath in Mark 2:25-26, demonstrating that ceremonial law serves human welfare rather than being an end in itself. Ahimelech's pastoral flexibility reveals a priest who understood the spirit behind the letter of the law.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The showbread (lechem panim, 'bread of the face/presence') consisted of twelve loaves placed weekly on the golden table in the Holy Place. Only priests could normally eat this bread, and only after it was replaced with fresh loaves on the Sabbath.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between God's unchanging moral law and ceremonial regulations?
  2. When have you seen rigid religious observance conflict with genuine human need?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 21

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הַכֹּהֵ֤ן2 of 21

And the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת3 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּוִד֙4 of 21

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֹּ֔אמֶר5 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵֽין6 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לֶ֤חֶם7 of 21

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

חֹ֖ל8 of 21

There is no common

H2455

properly, exposed; hence, profane

אֶל9 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּ֣חַת10 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יָדִ֑י11 of 21

under mine hand

H3027

a 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

כִּֽי12 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם13 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֶ֤חֶם14 of 21

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙15 of 21

hallowed

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יֵ֔שׁ16 of 21

but there is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אִם17 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נִשְׁמְר֥וּ18 of 21

have kept

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַנְּעָרִ֖ים19 of 21

if the young men

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אַ֥ךְ20 of 21

themselves at least

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

מֵֽאִשָּֽׁה׃21 of 21

from women

H802

a woman


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 21:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study