1 Samuel 25:11
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
Original Language Analysis
וְלָֽקַחְתִּ֤י
Shall I then take
H3947
וְלָֽקַחְתִּ֤י
Shall I then take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַחְמִי֙
my bread
H3899
לַחְמִי֙
my bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
3 of 18
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵימַ֔י
and my water
H4325
מֵימַ֔י
and my water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 18
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
טִבְחָתִ֔י
and my flesh
H2878
טִבְחָתִ֔י
and my flesh
Strong's:
H2878
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְגֹֽזְזָ֑י
for my shearers
H1494
לְגֹֽזְזָ֑י
for my shearers
Strong's:
H1494
Word #:
10 of 18
to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
וְנָֽתַתִּי֙
and give
H5414
וְנָֽתַתִּי֙
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
H376
לַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
whom I know
H3045
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
whom I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
15 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מִזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Historical Context
The shearing feast required significant food preparation. Nabal's claim that provisions were exclusively for his workers ignored the cultural expectation of generosity during festive seasons. His possessive language ('my bread, my water') contradicted the covenantal understanding that all possessions ultimately belong to God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Nabal's possessive language reflect a foolish understanding of wealth?
- What does his refusal teach about the dangers of viewing blessings as personal achievements?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
Nabal's refusal compounds insult with selfishness. The emphatic 'my bread, my water, my flesh' (Hebrew possessive repetition) claims absolute ownership without recognition of divine provision. His rhetorical question assumes the answer 'no'—he will not share what he considers exclusively his. The phrase 'men whom I know not whence they be' continues the pretense of ignorance while insulting David's legitimacy. Nabal's focus on 'my shearers' prioritizes hired workers over those who protected his entire operation. This response embodies the fool's perspective: viewing wealth as personal achievement to be hoarded rather than divine trust to be stewarded.