King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:6 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of t... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 12:6 · KJV


Context

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

8

When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel redirects attention from himself to 'the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron' - the true King who raised up all legitimate leaders. The Hebrew asah ('advanced' or 'made') emphasizes divine initiative in Israel's leadership history. By beginning his historical review with Moses and Aaron, Samuel establishes that human leaders are always secondary instruments of divine purpose. This theological grounding prepares for his case that requesting a king represented failure to trust God's provision.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses and Aaron represented the foundational pattern of Israel's leadership: prophetic authority (Moses) combined with priestly mediation (Aaron). Samuel himself embodied both roles, making his transition to monarchy a significant departure from this established pattern.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering that God raises up all legitimate leaders affect our view of human authority?
  2. In what ways do we fail to recognize God as the ultimate source of leadership and deliverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 17

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל2 of 17

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֑ם4 of 17

unto the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יְהוָ֗ה5 of 17

It is the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר6 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂה֙7 of 17

that advanced

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת8 of 17
H853

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

מֹשֶׁ֣ה9 of 17

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֶֽת10 of 17
H853

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

אַהֲרֹ֔ן11 of 17

and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר12 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽעֱלָ֛ה13 of 17

and that brought

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת14 of 17
H853

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

אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם15 of 17

your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ16 of 17

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃17 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 12:6 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 12:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study