King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now therefore what is under thine hand? give [me] five [loaves of] bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Now, what do you have on hand? If you can spare five loaves of bread, give them to me, or whatever there is."
Berean Standard Bible:
Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”
American Standard Version:
Now therefore what is under thy hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatsoever there is present.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now therefore what is{H3426} under thine hand{H3027}? give{H5414} me five{H2568} loaves of bread{H3899} in mine hand{H3027}, or what there is present{H4672}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 21:4
- 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.
Isaiah 3:6
- When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, [saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and [let] this ruin [be] under thy hand:
Judges 9:29
- And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 21:3
1 Samuel 21:3 is a verse set within the historical context of the early monarchy period of Israel, specifically during the reign of King Saul. The verse is part of the narrative concerning David, who, at this point, is fleeing from Saul's relentless attempts to kill him. David, fearing for his life, has come to the priest Ahimelech in Nob, seeking refuge and assistance.
In this verse, David is asking Ahimelech for food, emphasizing his immediate need and desperation. He requests either five loaves of bread or whatever else might be readily available. The themes present in this verse include hospitality and the expectation of care for those in need, as well as the sanctity of human life and the obligation to protect the persecuted, which are recurring themes throughout the Bible.
David's request for "what is under thine hand" is a polite and humble way of asking for whatever the priest has at his disposal, highlighting the urgency of his situation. The specific request for five loaves of bread may also foreshadow the future miraculous feeding of the multitudes by Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament (Matthew 14:17; Mark 6:38; Luke 9:13; John 6:9), where five loaves are also mentioned. This moment in 1 Samuel underscores the severity of David's circumstances as a fugitive and sets the stage for subsequent events, including the tragic massacre of the priests at Nob by Saul's order, which is a consequence of this encounter.
The verse reflects the broader narrative of David's rise to power and the divine favor he enjoys, contrasted with Saul's decline, characterized by jealousy and disobedience to God. It also illustrates the complex dynamics between the religious and political spheres in ancient Israel, as David interacts with the priesthood while on the run from the king. This interaction is pivotal, as it leads to a series of events that further entangle David in a web of political intrigue and divine intervention.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3426
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁ
Transliteration: yêsh
Pronunciation: yaysh
Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H2568
There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
Transliteration: châmêsh
Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). - Strong's Number: H3899
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶחֶם
Transliteration: lechem
Pronunciation: lekh'-em
Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.