King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:5 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found oug... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 12:5 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. advanced: or, made

7

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. righteous: Heb. righteousnesses, or, benefits to: Heb. with


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel secures formal witness from 'the LORD' and 'his anointed' that no accusation stands against him. The invocation of divine witness transforms this from mere reputation-clearing to covenant testimony with eternal significance. By including 'his anointed' (Saul), Samuel acknowledges the legitimacy of the monarchy while establishing that prophetic accountability precedes and supersedes royal authority. The people's affirmation 'He is witness' seals this covenant testimony.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Covenant witnesses in the ancient Near East typically included divine beings and human representatives. By naming both Yahweh and the king as witnesses, Samuel establishes a pattern where prophets would hold kings accountable to divine standards - a relationship that would characterize Israel's monarchy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does divine witness of our integrity change our relationship to human opinion?
  2. What role should mutual accountability play in relationships between spiritual and civil leaders?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר1 of 16

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵֽד׃3 of 16

He is witness

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 16

unto them The LORD

H3068

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

בָּכֶ֗ם5 of 16
H0
עֵֽד׃6 of 16

He is witness

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

מְשִׁיחוֹ֙7 of 16

against you and his anointed

H4899

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

הַיּ֣וֹם8 of 16

this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה9 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֣י10 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֧א11 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מְצָאתֶ֛ם12 of 16

that ye have not found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּיָדִ֖י13 of 16

in my 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

מְא֑וּמָה14 of 16

ought

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר15 of 16

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֵֽד׃16 of 16

He is witness

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince


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 12:5 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 12:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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