1 Chronicles 16:22 kjv
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
1 Chronicles 16:22 nkjv
Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."
1 Chronicles 16:22 niv
"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."
1 Chronicles 16:22 esv
saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"
1 Chronicles 16:22 nlt
"Do not touch my chosen people,
and do not hurt my prophets."
1 Chronicles 16 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:3 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse." | God defends His chosen people. |
| Gen 20:7 | "Now therefore restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet..." | God protects Abraham as a prophet. |
| Num 16:3 | "...you have gone too far, for all the congregation are holy, every one..." | Korah's rebellion against God's appointed. |
| Num 16:29-30 | "...If the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth..." | Divine judgment on those who defy God's leaders. |
| Deu 18:18-19 | "...I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them..." | Consequences for not heeding God's prophet. |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | "And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest..." | God raises and protects His chosen servant. |
| 1 Sam 24:6 | "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed." | David honors God's anointed, King Saul. |
| 1 Sam 26:9 | "...Who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?" | David's restraint from harming Saul. |
| 2 Sam 1:14 | "...Why were you not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" | Judgment for killing God's anointed. |
| Ps 76:10 | "Surely the wrath of man shall praise You..." | God's use of human wrath; protecting His own. |
| Ps 105:15 | "Saying, “Touch not My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”" | Exact parallel verse from Psalm. |
| Isa 66:6 | "The sound of an uproar from the city, a voice from the temple..." | God's vengeance on those who defy Him. |
| Zec 2:8 | "For he who touches you touches the apple of His eye." | God's people are intensely precious to Him. |
| Mat 10:14-15 | "And whoever will not receive you...it will be more tolerable for Sodom..." | Judgment for rejecting Christ's messengers. |
| Luk 10:16 | "He who hears you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me..." | Rejecting God's messengers is rejecting God. |
| Act 5:38-39 | "...if this plan or this undertaking is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them." | Warning against opposing God's work/people. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...resists what God has appointed." | Respect for God-ordained authority. |
| Heb 12:29 | "For our God is a consuming fire." | God's consuming wrath for rebellion. |
| Rev 11:5 | "...if anyone wishes to harm them, fire comes out of their mouth..." | Divine protection of His witnesses. |
| 1 Chr 16:21 | "He permitted no one to do them wrong; Indeed, He rebuked kings for their sakes..." | Direct preceding context of God's protection. |
| Eph 4:11 | "And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists..." | God appoints various roles in His church. |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 22 Meaning
This verse declares God's explicit command and protective warning: individuals whom God has divinely chosen and consecrated for a specific purpose (His "anointed ones") and those who deliver His direct messages (His "prophets") are under His special protection, and no one is permitted to assault, malign, or injure them in any way. It emphasizes God's sovereign care and His jealous defense of His chosen instruments.
1 Chronicles 16 22 Context
This verse is part of a psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chron 16:8-36) proclaimed by King David to the assembly of Israel on the day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in a tent prepared for it. This grand occasion marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, centralizing worship and solidifying David's kingship and the divine order. The psalm itself, which also appears almost identically in Psalm 105:1-15 and Psalm 96:1-13 (partial), serves as a recounting of God's faithfulness to Israel through their journey, especially during their wilderness wanderings and settlement. It highlights God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His providential care, including His active protection of the patriarchs (the "anointed ones" and "prophets" in this specific historical reference) against kings and nations who might have harmed them (as detailed in 1 Chr 16:19-21 regarding their small numbers and nomadic life). This statement therefore reassures Israel of God's continued protective watch over His chosen people and leaders.
1 Chronicles 16 22 Word analysis
- Touch not (אַל-תִּגְּעוּ - ʾal-tiġġĕʿū): This is a strong negative command, indicating a prohibition. "Touch" here goes beyond mere physical contact; it means to injure, assault, molest, or harm, often with a sense of defiling or violating what is sacred. It implies a direct action of antagonism or malice.
- My (לִי - lî): A possessive pronoun emphasizing God's direct ownership and close relationship with those He protects. It underlines the gravity of violating something that belongs to the Almighty.
- anointed ones (בִּמְשִׁיחַי - biməshīḥay): The plural of "anointed" (mashiaḥ, from which "Messiah" derives). In the Old Testament, "anointed ones" referred to those consecrated by sacred oil for a specific divine purpose: kings (e.g., Saul, David), priests (e.g., Aaron and his descendants), and occasionally prophets. Here, in the context of the patriarchs (Gen 20:7; Ps 105:14-15), it broadly refers to God's chosen servants, leaders, and even the nation of Israel as a whole, whom He set apart for Himself. Their anointing (figurative or literal) symbolized divine election and empowerment.
- And (וְ - wə): A simple conjunction connecting the two parallel commands, indicating that both clauses are equally vital and interdependent.
- do...no harm (אַל-תָּרֵעוּ - ʾal-tārēʿū): Another strong negative imperative, meaning "do not do evil to them," "do not hurt them," or "do not deal maliciously with them." It reinforces the previous command with a direct instruction against actively bringing calamity or affliction upon them.
- My (לִי - lî): Again, emphasizing God's personal possession and defense of these individuals.
- prophets (לִנְבִיאַי - linəḇîʾay): The plural of naviy (nāḇīʾ), meaning one who speaks for God, a spokesperson, or an inspired messenger. These are individuals who receive divine revelation and communicate God's will to the people. While sometimes "anointed" could include prophets, this specific mention highlights their unique role as direct communicators of divine truth.
Words-Group analysis
- "Touch not My anointed ones": This phrase speaks to the sacred inviolability of those set apart by God. It signifies that any attack or insult against them is seen as an affront to God Himself, a direct challenge to His sovereignty and choice. The historical reference specifically relates to God's protection of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) who were considered "anointed" by virtue of their divine calling and being recipients of God's covenant.
- "And do My prophets no harm": This parallel command specifically emphasizes the protection of God's messengers. Hurting a prophet means hindering the divine message and harming the one through whom God communicates. It's a grave warning against obstructing God's voice among His people or the nations. Both clauses collectively stress that God personally safeguards those He has designated to represent Him, whether through leadership or revelation.
1 Chronicles 16 22 Bonus section
This verse carries a significant polemic against ancient Near Eastern pagan cultures. In many surrounding nations, rulers rose and fell through violence and intrigue, and religious figures could be manipulated or easily discarded. In contrast, this verse asserts a uniquely Israelite belief: God chooses and protects His anointed leaders and prophets. To harm them is not merely an act against a person but a direct defiance of the sovereign Yahweh Himself, carrying severe divine consequences. This principle establishes the divine authority and sacred nature of Israelite leadership and prophetic ministry, guaranteeing their legitimacy and security by divine decree rather than human power alone. It also foreshadows the inviolability of Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Anointed One," and the spiritual protection afforded to His body, the Church, against whom the gates of Hades shall not prevail.
1 Chronicles 16 22 Commentary
1 Chronicles 16:22 encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's intimate relationship with and unwavering protection of those He chooses for His purposes. As part of a grand psalm of praise during the ark's procession, it recalls God's faithfulness in safeguarding His early covenant people—the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—who were few in number and vulnerable. They are here called "anointed ones" due to their divine calling and separation, and "prophets" because they communicated God's word and were vessels of His promises. The directive "Touch not" and "do no harm" serves as a solemn warning to both human adversaries and internal opposition against God's appointed instruments. Any attack against them is construed as an attack against God Himself. This principle extends throughout biblical history, showcasing God's readiness to defend His leaders, prophets, and eventually, His ultimate "Anointed One," the Messiah, and those who represent Him in the new covenant. It assures believers of divine vindication against persecution for His sake and underscores the weighty responsibility of those interacting with God's people.