We must look to our own. To the sick and the helpless.

Question

This is what Bard the Bowman says in the new Hobbit movie:

"We must look to our own.
To the sick and the helpless.
Those who can stand, tend to the wounded.
And those who have strength left, follow me."

I think the first line means that we must rely on ourselves.

Is it correct?

Then, what does the second line (To the sick and the helpless) mean?

Does it mean that we must look to the sick and the helpless?

And that we must rely on the sick and the helpless?

For the exact context, the video is embedded here and the first line starts at 11 seconds:

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

listeneverI think the first line means that we must rely on ourselves.

Not exactly. We must take care of our own people; we must [take care of / look after / tend to / help] those who are sick and those who are not able to help themselves. "look to" is being used as a substitute for "look after".

listeneverwe must rely on the sick and the helpless?

Does that make sense? No. Of course not. It's the other way around. The sick and the helpless have to rely on us.

CJ

Listenever · Answer

Dear CalifJim,

Thank you very much for your answer.

Your explanation works well with the context.

Thing is, I've looked up some dictionaries for "look to" but I couldn't find your definition.

Is this usage of 'look to' meaning 'look after/take care of...' in current use?

Or is it something rather archaic but it was intentionally used here so it could have some medieval feel to it, although it's not exactly located as such in history?

If in current use, how come it's not found in any dictionary?

CalifJim · Answer

listenever it was intentionally used here so it could have some medieval feel to it, although it's not exactly located as such in history?

Yes. Remember that the Hobbit is a fantasy, so some of the language used there will reflect that.

CJ

We must look to our own. To the sick and the helpless.

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