1 Kings 2:14 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֖י אֵלָ֑יִךְ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃
BSAThen he saidʼâmar▸ [added, moreover] have something [to tell]dâbâr [a word, a matter, speak, communicate] youʼêl [to you, towards you] Say itdâbar [speak, declare, on, forth] she answeredʼâmar▸ [said, spoke]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֕אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| דָּבָ֥ר | a word | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לִ֖י | [belongs] to me | Preposition, suffix |
| אֵלָ֑יִךְ | to you | Preposition, suffix |
| וַתֹּ֖אמֶר | and she said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| דַּבֵּֽר׃ | speak | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. |
| KJV | He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on. |
| ASV | He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on. |
| YLT | And he saith, 'I have a word unto thee,' and she saith, 'Speak.' |
| WEB | He said moreover, I have something to tell you.” She said, “Say on.” |
| BBE | Then he said, I have something to say to you. And she said, Say on. |
Where they part company is דַּבֵּֽר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure consists of a main clause followed by direct speech, creating a clear dialogue format.


3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Kings 2:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Kingship Disputegenerated
1 Kings 2:14 shows a critical moment where Adonijah approaches Bathsheba to discuss his claim to the throne. This conversation unfolds amid political tension, as Adonijah seeks to clarify his position regarding the kingship that has shifted to his brother Solomon, as noted in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 14:12 | Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied. |
| 2 | Luke 7:40 | But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דָּבָ֥ר, da.Vargenerated
The noun דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'thing,' and it encompasses a range of meanings including a matter, affair, or speech. It is a common term in the Hebrew Bible, often used to convey significant information or events.
In this verse, it refers to the important matter Adonijah wishes to communicate to Bathsheba, indicating the weight of what he is about to say. The parsing as a masculine singular absolute noun suggests it is a specific subject of discourse.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses something for דָּבָ֥ר, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַיֹּ֕אמֶר, and he said, which governs the entire verse. The structure consists of a main clause followed by a direct speech clause, indicating what Adonijah intends to communicate.
The dialogue format emphasizes the interaction between Adonijah and Bathsheba, with her response inviting further elaboration on the matter he wishes to discuss.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דָּבָ֥ר as λόγος, indicating a word or discourse. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but also suggests a broader context of communication, as λόγος can imply reason or principle in Greek thought.
The use of εἶπεν for וַתֹּ֖אמֶר captures the act of speaking in a direct manner, consistent with the Hebrew's intention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Kings 2:14 describes a moment when Adonijah approaches Bathsheba, indicating he has something important to say. She encourages him to express what he wants to communicate, highlighting the tension surrounding the kingship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Adonijah wants to discuss his claim to the kingship and possibly request her support.
Bathsheba's response indicates her willingness to listen and engage in the conversation about the kingship.
The word 'דָּבָ֥ר' signifies an important matter or word, emphasizing the weight of Adonijah's communication.
This dialogue reflects the underlying tensions regarding the succession of the throne and the competing claims to kingship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about communication from Bathsheba's response to Adonijah?
- How do the words we choose impact the messages we convey?
- In what ways can we approach difficult conversations with clarity and intention?
- What does this passage teach us about the dynamics of power and influence?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Kings 2:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe said, moreover, I have something to say unto thee,.... Signifying that he came upon business: and she said, say on; intimating her readiness to hear what it was.
Read John Gill on 1 Kings 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Kings 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Kings 2:14 He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.Ver. 14. I have somewhat to say unto thee.] But take heed that your tongue cut not your throat, as the Arabic proverb hath it.
Read John Trapp on 1 Kings 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered.
He said moreover, I have something to tell you.” She said, “Say on.”
Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered.
He added, “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.”
Tyndale line
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say to thee. And she said, Say on.
He said moreouer, I haue a sute vnto thee. And she sayd, Say on.
Strictly literal
And he said, I have something to say to thee. And she said, Speak.
And he saith, 'I have a word unto thee,' and she saith, 'Speak.'
And he says, “I have a word for you,” and she says, “Speak.”
He said moreover, I have a word for thee. And she said, Speak.
Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” So she replied, “Speak.”
From the Latin
And he added: I have a word to speak with thee. She said to him: Speak. And he said:
Simplified
“I have something I'd like to ask of you,” he continued. “Go on,” she said.
Then he said, I have something to say to you. And she said, Say on.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in this passage, with five of the six words matching. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it conveys the same essential meaning as the Hebrew.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֖י אֵלָ֑יִךְ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Kings 2:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
wurd: The commonest term in the Old Testament for "word" is dabhar (also "matter" "thing"); in the New Testament logos ("reason," "discourse," "speech"); but also frequently rhema. Rhema is a "word" in itself considered; logos is a spoken word, with reference generally to that which is in the speaker's mind. Some of the chief applications of the terms may thus be exhibited:
(1) We have the word of Yahweh (or God; see below)
(a) as the revelation to the patriarch, prophet, or inspired person (Ge 15:1; Ex 20:1; Nu 22:38, etc.);
One of the titles of the second person of the Trinity, indicating perhaps that by his acts and teachings God is revealed, somewhat as thought is by words, 1Jo 1:1 5:7 Re 19:13. "The word of the Lord" was a common phrase in the Old Testament, always denoting some revelation of Jehovah. Long before the coming of Christ, the Jewish paraphrasts of the Bible used "The Word" in the passage where Jehovah occurred in the original; and the term was familiar to Jewish writers as the name of a divine being, the Son of God.
To show its true meaning and its application to our Savior, was of great importance to John, the last of the inspired writers, in whose later years certain errors as to the person of Christ, borrowed from Eastern philosophy, had begun to creep into the Christian church. He describes "The Word" as a personal and divine Being…
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp2fs
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.
[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)
Qal speak
Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk
Pi. speak
Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for
Hithp. speaking this word
Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues
base
H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)
1696 dabar daw-bar'
a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive
sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,
declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,
use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.
: speak/tell/command
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.
: subdue
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.
: promise/declare
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
V-Piel-Impv-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singularHVpv2ms
