1 Samuel 12:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
עֵֽד׃
He is witness
H5707
עֵֽד׃
He is witness
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
3 of 16
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
יְהוָ֣ה
unto them The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
unto them The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֵֽד׃
He is witness
H5707
עֵֽד׃
He is witness
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
6 of 16
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
מְשִׁיחוֹ֙
against you and his anointed
H4899
מְשִׁיחוֹ֙
against you and his anointed
Strong's:
H4899
Word #:
7 of 16
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
הַיּ֣וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 16
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
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֧א
H3808
לֹ֧א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מְצָאתֶ֛ם
that ye have not found
H4672
מְצָאתֶ֛ם
that ye have not found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
12 of 16
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
בְּיָדִ֖י
in my hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֖י
in my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 16
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
מְא֑וּמָה
ought
H3972
מְא֑וּמָה
ought
Strong's:
H3972
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
Cross References
Exodus 22:4If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.Acts 24:20Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,Acts 23:9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.1 Corinthians 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.2 Corinthians 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does divine witness of our integrity change our relationship to human opinion?
- What role should mutual accountability play in relationships between spiritual and civil leaders?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.