Psalms 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 6
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּגְּע֥וּ
Saying Touch
H5060
תִּגְּע֥וּ
Saying Touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
בִמְשִׁיחָ֑י
not mine anointed
H4899
בִמְשִׁיחָ֑י
not mine anointed
Strong's:
H4899
Word #:
3 of 6
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
וְ֝לִנְבִיאַי
and do my prophets
H5030
וְ֝לִנְבִיאַי
and do my prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
4 of 6
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Cross References
Zechariah 2:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.Genesis 26:11And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.Genesis 20:7Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.1 John 2:27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Historical Context
The patriarchs weren't literally anointed with oil like later kings, but were chosen and set apart by God for special purposes. Their prophetic role involved receiving and transmitting God's revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding yourself as God's anointed affect your response to persecution or opposition?
- What responsibility comes with being protected as God's anointed—how should you treat others?
Analysis & Commentary
God warned: 'Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.' The patriarchs are called God's anointed (meshiach) and prophets, showing their special status. To harm them is to attack God Himself. This principle extends to all God's people—persecuting believers persecutes Christ (Acts 9:4). 'Touch not' doesn't mean avoid all contact but forbids harming. The anointed one ultimately is Christ, whose persecution fulfills this warning. The Reformed understanding of union with Christ means that attacks on believers are attacks on Christ Himself.