King James Version
Matthew 19:4 in the King James Version says “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,”
Matthew 19:4 · King James Version
And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.
“he answered”
G611to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
“them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“them at”
G575"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
“the beginning”
G746(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
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