will, shall, commander, command

將 is composed of 爿 (bed, table), a variant of 肉 (flesh), and 寸 (inch, hand). 爿 is a pictograph of a bed or a large table, while 寸 is a pictograph of a hand. Thus, 將 depicts placing meat on a large table with the hand, originally meaning to present or commend. This meaning was later taken over by 將 itself (in other contexts). The meat displayed on a large table suggests a substantial quantity, likely intended for army soldiers to enjoy. Military officers would use meat to commend their troops, encouraging them to defeat the enemy in an impending battle, as represented by 將.