“I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid.”
- Date
- 1611
- Attribution
- Source identified
- Voice / speaker
- Reported speaker · Abigail
- English wording
- King James Version translation committees · from Biblical Hebrew / Aramaic / Koine Greek
What does this quote mean?
Abigail asks pardon while attempting to prevent violence, connecting forgiveness with humility, mediation, and the practical work of interrupting retaliation.
Where does it come from?
1 Samuel 25:28, King James Version; Abigail speaks to David during her appeal intended to avert bloodshed against Nabal’s household.
Who voices the line?
Reported speaker · Abigail. 1 Samuel 25:28 in the King James Version preserves this wording as reported speech. The biblical passage remains the textual source while Abigail is stored as the local reported speaker.
The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.
How should this attribution be read?
This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.