Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 16:22
‘Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God issues this command within the liturgical song, addressing kings and nations who might oppose His chosen representatives. The surrounding context establishes that He actively shields these figures and rebukes any ruler who attempts to oppress them.
The words — The Hebrew verbs תִּגְּעוּ (ti.ge.'U) and תָּרֵֽעוּ (ta.Re.'u) literally mean "you touch" and "you do harm." Both are governed by אַל (al), a negative imperative that functions as a strict prohibition.
The thread — The identical phrasing appears in Psalms 105:15 as a direct quotation within a parallel historical psalm. Genesis 20:7 reinforces the protected status of prophets by linking their presence to intercession and survival.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate cessation of physical or political interference with God’s appointed messengers. It demands recognition that opposition to these figures triggers divine rebuke rather than human jurisdiction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Cross-references
- Genesis 20:7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”
- Psalms 105:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
- Genesis 49:8 Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
- Genesis 48:19 But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
- 1 Kings 19:16 You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.
- 1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
- Genesis 27:39 His father Isaac answered him: “Behold, your dwelling place shall be away from the richness of the land, away from the dew of heaven above.