King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 16:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 16:12 in the King James Version says “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. of a: Heb. fair of eyes”

1 Samuel 16:12 · KJV

Context

10

Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. down: Heb. round

12

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. of a: Heb. fair of eyes

13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. troubled: or, terrified

Read 1 Samuel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

The description of David combines physical attractiveness with divine confirmation. 'Ruddy' ('admoni) suggests reddish complexion or hair, possibly connecting to the name Adam (from 'adamah, red earth). Unlike Saul's evaluation, David's appearance is secondary to God's command: 'Arise, anoint him: for this is he.' The definitive zeh (this one) leaves no doubt. Beauty existed but was not the criterion; God's designation was the criterion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Reddish coloring was considered attractive in the ancient Near East, possibly indicating health and vigor. The 'beautiful countenance' (yepheh mareh) would later be echoed in descriptions of David's son Absalom. David likely appeared to be in his mid-teens at this anointing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's confirmation of David challenge our tendency to either dismiss or overvalue physical attributes?
  2. What does immediate obedience to God's designation teach about recognizing divine choice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח1 of 16

“And he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙2 of 16

“and brought him in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְה֣וּא3 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אַדְמוֹנִ֔י4 of 16

“Now he was ruddy”

H132

reddish (of the hair or the complexion)

עִם5 of 16

“and withal”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְפֵ֥ה6 of 16

“of a beautiful”

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

עֵינַ֖יִם7 of 16

“countenance”

H5869

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

וְט֣וֹב8 of 16

“and goodly”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

רֹ֑אִי9 of 16

“to look to”

H7210

sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle)

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר10 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

ק֥וּם12 of 16

“Arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

מְשָׁחֵ֖הוּ13 of 16

“anoint”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

כִּי14 of 16
H3588

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

זֶ֥ה15 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֽוּא׃16 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 16:12 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 16:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 4:7Psalms 89:19-20Song of Solomon 5:101 Samuel 9:17Psalms 2:21 Samuel 17:42

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