1 Samuel 12:21
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֖א
H3808
וְלֹ֖א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָּס֑וּרוּ
And turn ye not aside
H5493
תָּס֑וּרוּ
And turn ye not aside
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
2 of 13
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
for then should ye go after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
for then should ye go after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
תֹ֥הוּ
for they are vain
H8414
תֹ֥הוּ
for they are vain
Strong's:
H8414
Word #:
5 of 13
a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוֹעִ֛ילוּ
things which cannot profit
H3276
יוֹעִ֛ילוּ
things which cannot profit
Strong's:
H3276
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַצִּ֖ילוּ
nor deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֖ילוּ
nor deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
10 of 13
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Habakkuk 2:18What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?Jeremiah 16:19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.Jeremiah 10:15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.Deuteronomy 11:16Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;Isaiah 45:20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.Isaiah 46:7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.Jonah 2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Historical Context
The Hebrew tohu connects to prophetic polemic against idolatry (Isaiah 41:29; 44:9). The term emphasizes not merely the moral wrong of idolatry but its practical futility - idols cannot deliver because they are nothing. Samuel applies this logic to any alternative to covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'vain things' promise profit and deliverance but cannot deliver?
- How does recognizing alternatives to God as empty 'chaos' reframe our choices?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Samuel warns against turning to 'vain things' (tohu) - the same Hebrew word used for the formless void before creation (Genesis 1:2). These empty, chaotic alternatives 'cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.' The inability to 'profit' (ya'al) or 'deliver' (natsal) - the very things Israel sought from a king - exposes the futility of trusting anything other than Yahweh. This applies not only to idols but to any false source of security, including the monarchy itself if not subordinated to God.