Bible Strands
Psalms 105:15
“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker declares the command to protect the chosen people during their time of foreign oppression, immediately following a rebuke of kings and preceding a warning of divine judgment.
The words — The Hebrew imperative תִּגְעוּ (ti.ge.'U) means "you touch," paired with תָרֵעוּ (ta.Re.'u) meaning "you do harm," forming a double prohibition against physical violation.
The thread — This protective warning echoes the divine safeguard placed on Isaac in Genesis 26:11 and the life-preserving status of Abraham in Genesis 20:7, while anticipating the future conflict with plundering nations in Zechariah 2:8.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that God personally enforces boundaries around His chosen representatives, requiring readers to acknowledge His direct authority over human rulers and violent acts.
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
- Zechariah 2:8 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—
- Genesis 26:11 So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”
- 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.”
- 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 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.”
- 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.
- 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.