1 Samuel 12:17
Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
Original Language Analysis
הֲל֤וֹא
H3808
הֲל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הַיּ֔וֹם
to day
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 22
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
אֶקְרָא֙
I will call
H7121
אֶקְרָא֙
I will call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 22
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְיִתֵּ֥ן
and he shall send
H5414
וְיִתֵּ֥ן
and he shall send
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וּדְע֣וּ
that ye may perceive
H3045
וּדְע֣וּ
that ye may perceive
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּרְא֗וּ
and see
H7200
וּרְא֗וּ
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
12 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָעַתְכֶ֤ם
that your wickedness
H7451
רָעַתְכֶ֤ם
that your wickedness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
14 of 22
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
רַבָּה֙
is great
H7227
רַבָּה֙
is great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
15 of 22
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֲשִׂיתֶם֙
which ye have done
H6213
עֲשִׂיתֶם֙
which ye have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
18 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Historical Context
The wheat harvest occurred in the dry season when rain was virtually unknown in Palestine. Summer rain would be agriculturally devastating, damaging crops at their most vulnerable stage. This timing made the sign unmistakably miraculous.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's control over nature remind us that nothing operates independently of Him?
- What false securities based on 'normal patterns' might God disrupt to gain our attention?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
Samuel's question 'Is it not wheat harvest to day?' identifies the season (late May to early June) when rain was extremely rare in Palestine. His announcement 'I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain' claims power to summon unseasonal weather - something only God could provide. The sign serves dual purposes: demonstrating Samuel's prophetic authority and illustrating divine power to disrupt what humans consider normal or guaranteed. Israel's agricultural security depends on God, not natural cycles.