1 Samuel 21:5
New International Version
David replied, “Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!”

New Living Translation
“Don’t worry,” David replied. “I never allow my men to be with women when we are on a campaign. And since they stay clean even on ordinary trips, how much more on this one!”

English Standard Version
And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?”

Berean Standard Bible
David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the equipment of the young men is holy, as it is even on common missions, and all the more at this time.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then David answered the priest, and said to him, “Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was consecrated in the vessel this day.”

New American Standard Bible
David answered the priest and said to him, “Be assured, women have been denied to us as previously when I left and the bodies of the young men were consecrated, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then will their bodies be consecrated today?”

NASB 1995
David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then today will their vessels be holy?”

NASB 1977
And David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then today will their vessels be holy?

Legacy Standard Bible
And David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then today will their vessels be holy?”

Amplified Bible
David answered the priest, “Be assured that women have been kept from us in these three days since I set out, and the bodies of the young men were consecrated (ceremonially clean), although it was an ordinary (unconsecrated) journey; so how much more will their vessels be holy today?”

Christian Standard Bible
David answered him, “I swear that women are being kept from us, as always when I go out to battle. The young men’s bodies are consecrated even on an ordinary mission, so of course their bodies are consecrated today.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David answered him, “I swear that women are being kept from us, as always when I go out to battle. The young men’s bodies are consecrated even on an ordinary mission, so of course their bodies are consecrated today.”

American Standard Version
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days; when I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then to-day shall their vessels be holy?

Contemporary English Version
"Of course we didn't sleep with women," David answered. "I never let my men do that when we're on a mission. They have to be acceptable to worship God even when we're on a regular mission, and today we're on a special mission."

English Revised Version
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days; When I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then today shall their vessels be holy?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David answered the priest, "Of course women have been kept away from us as usual when we go [on a mission]. The young men's bodies are kept holy even on ordinary campaigns. How much more then will their bodies be holy today?"

Good News Translation
"Of course they haven't," answered David. "My men always keep themselves ritually pure even when we go out on an ordinary mission; how much more this time when we are on a special mission!"

International Standard Version
David answered the priest, saying to him, "Indeed, women were kept from us as is usual whenever I go out on a mission, and the equipment of the young men is consecrated even when it's an ordinary journey, so how much more is their equipment consecrated today?"

Majority Standard Bible
David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the equipment of the young men is holy, as it is even on common missions, and all the more at this time.”

NET Bible
David said to the priest, "Certainly women have been kept away from us, just as on previous occasions when I have set out. The soldiers' equipment is holy, even on an ordinary journey. How much more so will they be holy today, along with their equipment!"

New Heart English Bible
And David answered the priest, and said to him, "Truly women have been kept from us as always when I set out. All the young men are holy, even when it is an ordinary mission. So how much more today will their vessels be holy?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David answered the priest, and said to 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, yes, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

World English Bible
David answered the priest, and said to him, “Truly, women have been kept from us as usual these three days. When I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was only a common journey. How much more then today shall their vessels be holy?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David answers the priest and says to him, “Surely, if women have been restrained from us as before in my going out, then the vessels of the young men are holy, and it [is] a common way; and also, surely it is sanctified today in the vessel.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David answereth the priest, and saith to him, 'Surely, if women have been restrained from us as heretofore in my going out, then the vessels of the young men are holy, and it is a common way: and also, surely to-day it is sanctified in the vessel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for 1 Sam 21:6 And David will answer the priest and say to him, That truly woman was withheld to us for yesterday the third day, in my coming forth, and the vessels of the boys holy, and this way common, and truly if this day it shall be consecrated in the vessel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David answered the priest, and said to him: Truly, as to what concerneth women, we have refrained ourselves from yesterday and the day before, when we came out, and the vessels of the young men were holy. Now this way is defiled, but it shall also be sanctified this day in the vessels.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David responded to the priest, and said to him: “Indeed, as concerns being with women, we have abstained since yesterday and the day before, when we departed, and so the vessels of the young men have been holy. And although, this journey has been defiled, it will also be sanctified today as concerns the vessels.”

New American Bible
David answered the priest: “We have indeed stayed away from women. In the past whenever I went out on a campaign, all the young men were consecrated—even for an ordinary campaign. All the more so are they consecrated with their weapons today!”

New Revised Standard Version
David answered the priest, “Indeed women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition; the vessels of the young men are holy even when it is a common journey; how much more today will their vessels be holy?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David answered the priest and said to him, The hallowed bread has been lawful for us since yesterday and the day before, when we left, and behold, the clothes of the young men are holy, and the bread is now practically common, even though it were sanctified this day in the vessels.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest answered David and said to him: “There is no common bread under my hands, but the bread of holiness is. If the young men have kept themselves from the offering”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David answered the priest, and said unto him: 'Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days; when I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then to-day, when there shall be holy bread in their vessels?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David answered the priest, and said to him, Yea, we have been kept from women for three days: when I came forth for the journey all the young men were purified; but this expedition is unclean, wherefore it shall be sanctified this day because of my weapons.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Takes the Consecrated Bread
4“There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” 5David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the equipment of the young men is holy, as it is even on common missions, and all the more at this time.” 6So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there but the Bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the LORD and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Mark 2:25-26
Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? / During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Luke 6:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

Exodus 19:10-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. / And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ...

Leviticus 15:18
If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.

2 Samuel 11:11
Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!”

1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Leviticus 22:3-7
Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD. / If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, / or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— ...

Numbers 6:2-8
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, / he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. / All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. ...

1 Samuel 16:5
“In peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

1 Kings 9:3
And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.


Treasury of Scripture

And David answered the priest, and said to 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, yes, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

the vessels

Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

1 Thessalonians 4:3,4
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: …

2 Timothy 2:20,21
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour…

in a manner

Leviticus 24:9
And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

Leviticus 8:26
And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:

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1 Samuel 21
1. David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread
7. Doeg is present
8. David takes Goliath's sword
10. David at Gath feigns himself insane














David answered
This phrase indicates David's response to the priest Ahimelech's concern about the ceremonial cleanliness of his men. The Hebrew root for "answered" (עָנָה, 'anah) often implies a thoughtful or reasoned response, suggesting David's awareness of the priest's concerns and his attempt to reassure him. David's leadership is evident here, as he takes responsibility for the spiritual state of his men.

Women have indeed been kept from us
In ancient Israel, abstaining from sexual relations was a common practice for men preparing for battle or religious service, as it was believed to maintain ritual purity. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on purity, both physical and spiritual, especially when engaging in activities that required divine favor or intervention.

as is usual whenever I set out
This phrase underscores the regularity and discipline of David's practices. The Hebrew word for "usual" (תָּמִיד, tamid) conveys a sense of continuity and faithfulness. David's consistent adherence to these practices reflects his commitment to maintaining a holy standard, even in times of distress or urgency.

The bodies of the young men are holy
Here, David asserts the sanctity of his men, despite the unconventional circumstances. The Hebrew word for "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) signifies being set apart for God's purposes. David's declaration highlights the importance of inner purity and dedication to God, which transcends mere ritual observance.

even on missions that are not holy
This phrase acknowledges that not all of David's endeavors are explicitly religious or sacred. However, it emphasizes that the commitment to holiness is not limited to religious rituals but extends to all aspects of life. The Hebrew understanding of holiness permeates every action, suggesting that one's conduct should always reflect God's standards.

How much more so today!
David concludes with a rhetorical flourish, emphasizing the heightened need for purity in their current situation. The urgency of "today" (הַיּוֹם, hayom) in Hebrew conveys the immediacy and significance of the present moment. David's words inspire a sense of readiness and dedication, urging his men to rise to the occasion with integrity and faithfulness.

(5) The vessels.--Their clothes and light, portable baggage--answering to the modern "knapsack." The Vulg. renders the Hebrew word by "vasa." David means to say, "Since we have just left home, you may readily suppose that no impurity has been contracted; it would be different if we were returning home from a journey, when on the way--especially in war--uncleanness might be contracted by the blood of enemies or otherwise."--Seb. Schmid, quoted in Lange.

The LXX., by a very slight change in the Hebrew letters, instead of "the vessels of the young men," render, "all the young men."

And the bread is in a manner common.--The original is here very difficult, almost utterly obscure. The English Version of the clause is simply meaningless. Of the many translations which have been suggested, two at least offer a fairly good sense. (a) "And if it is an unholy way (viz., the way David and his band were going--his purpose or enterprise), moreover there is also the fact that it becomes holy through the instrument" (viz., through me, as an ambassador of the anointed of the Lord), on the supposition of the important royal mission upon which David pretended to be sent. So Keil and O. von Gerlach. (b) Lange, however, and Thenius, maintain that the words in question must contain a remark by which the priest is to be induced to give the bread, and would translate, "Though it is an unholy (ceremonially illegal) procedure (to take the shewbread), yet it is sanctified (to-day) through the instrument" (David or Ahimelech). The instrument is here David, the appointed messenger of the Lord's anointed, or, even better, Ahimelech, the sacred person of the high priest.

No doubt, the words of Leviticus 24:9, which speak of the destination of the stale shewbread--"And they (Aaron and his sons) shall eat it in the holy place"--suggested the practice of the Church of England embodied in the Rubric following the" Order of the Administration of the Holy Communion"--"And if any" (of the bread and wine) "remain of that which was consecrated, it shall not be carried out of the church, but the priest, and such other of the communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall immediately after the blessing reverently eat and drink the same." Among the legendary Jewish lore that has gathered round the history of this transaction is one strange tradition that the holy bread thus given became useless in the hands of the king's fugitive. (See Stanley, Lectures on the Jewish Church, Lect. 22, quoting from Jerome.)

Verses 5, 6. - About these three days since I came out. This exactly agrees with the time during which David had lain concealed (1 Samuel 20:24, 27, 35), and explains the hunger under which he was suffering, as he had no doubt taken with him only feed sufficient for his immediate wants, he wishes, however, the high priest to believe that he had been engaged with his men during this time on public business, whereas they had been at home and some of them possibly were unclean. The whole chapter sets David before us in a very humiliating light. Just as some books of Homer are styled "the prowess" of some hero, so this chapter might be called David's degradation. The determined hatred of Saul seems to have thrown him off his balance, and it was not till he got among the hills of Judah, wherein was the cave of Adullam, that he recovered his serenity. The vessels of the young men. Their scrips, in which they would carry the bread, and their baggage generally. The bread is in a manner common, etc. The word bread is supplied by the translators, to give some sense to this most difficult passage. Literally translated, the two last clauses are, "And the way is profane, although it be sanctified today in the vessel." Among the numerous interpretations of these words the following seems the best: "And though our journey be not connected with a religious object, yet it (the bread) will be kept holy in the vessel (in which it will be carried)." There is no difficulty in supplying bread in the last clause, as the shewbread was the subject of the conversation, and a nominative is constantly supplied by the mind from the principal matter that is occupying the thoughts of the speakers. David's argument, therefore, is that both his attendants and their wallets were free from legal defilement, and that though their expedition was on some secular business, yet that at all events the bread would be secure from pollution. The shewbread that was taken from before Jehovah. The Talmud ('Menach.,' 92, 2) points out that this bread was not newly taken out of the sanctuary, but, as the last clause shows, had been removed on some previous day. As after a week's exposure it was stale and dry, the priests, we are told, ate but little of it, and the rest was left (see Talmud, 'Tract. Yom.,' 39, 1). It also points out that, had such violations of the Levitical law been common, so much importance would not have been attached to this incident.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
David
דָּוִ֨ד (dā·wiḏ)
0
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

answered,
וַיַּעַן֩ (way·ya·‘an)
0
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Women [have]
אִשָּׁ֤ה (’iš·šāh)
0
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

indeed
אִם־ (’im-)
0
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

[been] kept
עֲצֻֽרָה־ (‘ă·ṣu·rāh-)
0
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

from us,
לָ֙נוּ֙ (lā·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

as usual
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם (šil·šōm)
Direct object marker
Strong's 8032: Three days ago, day before, yesterday

when I set out.
בְּצֵאתִ֕י (bə·ṣê·ṯî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

And
וַיִּהְי֥וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the equipment
כְלֵֽי־ (ḵə·lê-)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of the young men
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Conjunction
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

is holy,
קֹ֑דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Conjunction
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

as it [is]
וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

even on common
חֹ֔ל (ḥōl)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 2455: Profaneness, commonness

missions,
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and all the more
וְאַ֕ף (wə·’ap̄)
Preposition-k | Adverb
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

at
כִּ֥י (kî)
Adverb
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this time.”
הַיּ֖וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Samuel 21:5 David answered the priest and said (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 21:4
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