King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:3 in the King James Version says “Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. bribe: Heb. ransom to blind: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him

1 Samuel 12:3 · KJV


Context

1

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

2

And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

3

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. bribe: Heb. ransom to blind: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him

4

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

5

And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Samuel's invitation to testify against him 'before the LORD and before his anointed' establishes unprecedented accountability. He invites scrutiny regarding fraud (ashaq), oppression (ratsats), and bribery. The phrase 'whose ox have I taken?' echoes Moses' similar self-defense (Numbers 16:15). By calling both Yahweh and the new king as witnesses, Samuel models the principle that leaders must answer both to God and to legitimate human authority.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The specific accusations Samuel invites - taking oxen or donkeys, defrauding, oppressing, accepting bribes - were common forms of judicial corruption in the ancient Near East. Samuel's challenge directly contrasts with his sons' documented offenses and establishes the standard to which Saul should aspire.

Reflection Questions

  1. Could you invite similar scrutiny of your leadership, service, or integrity?
  2. What does Samuel's willingness to be examined teach about accountability in ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 29
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עֲנ֣וּ2 of 29

Behold here I am witness

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

בִי֩3 of 29
H0
נֶ֨גֶד4 of 29
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

יְהוָ֜ה5 of 29

against me before the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְנֶ֣גֶד6 of 29
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

מְשִׁיח֗וֹ7 of 29

and before his anointed

H4899

anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah

אֶת8 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שׁוֹר֩׀9 of 29

whose ox

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

מִ֨י10 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לָקַ֣חְתִּי11 of 29

have I taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וַֽחֲמ֧וֹר12 of 29

or whose ass

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

מִ֣י13 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לָקַ֣חְתִּי14 of 29

have I taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְאֶת15 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִ֤י16 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עָשַׁ֙קְתִּי֙17 of 29

or whom have I defrauded

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

אֶת18 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִ֣י19 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

רַצּ֔וֹתִי20 of 29

whom have I oppressed

H7533

to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively

וּמִיַּד21 of 29

or of whose hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִי֙22 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לָקַ֣חְתִּי23 of 29

have I taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כֹ֔פֶר24 of 29

have I received any bribe

H3724

properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)

וְאַעְלִ֥ים25 of 29

to blind

H5956

to veil from sight, i.e., conceal (literally or figuratively)

עֵינַ֖י26 of 29

mine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

בּ֑וֹ27 of 29
H0
וְאָשִׁ֖יב28 of 29

therewith and I will restore

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָכֶֽם׃29 of 29
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 12:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 12:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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