What Does 1 Samuel 12:22 Mean in the King James?
For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The LORD’s refusal to abandon his people rests on his own name and choice to make them his, not on their ability to secure their place.
THE MEANING
The LORD does not abandon the people he has made his own. His name carries his nature, and his choice to make you his people is an act of his own willing purpose.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that your failure makes you disposable to God: the verse grounds his commitment in his name and his choice to make you his people.
THE ROOT
יִטֹּשׁ
yittosh
GROWS FROM
נטש
natash
To abandon, leave, or cast away.
“forsake” in this verse is yittosh. The Hebrew verb names the act of abandoning a people, and the verse says the LORD will not do this. His promise rests on his own name and on his choice to make this people his own.
ALSO GROWS
netishah: Abandonment or forsaking.
נְטִישָׁה
This noun names the very act the verse says the LORD will not enact.
natush: Abandoned or left behind.
נָטוּשׁ
This describes the condition his promise refuses to leave his people in.
גָּדוֹל
gadol
GROWS FROM
גדל
gadal
To grow or become great.
The word for “great” comes from a root of growing or becoming great. His name is described with a word of enlargement, and the verse grounds his refusal to abandon his people in that greatness.
ALSO GROWS
gadal: To grow or become great.
גָּדַל
The verb shows the growth and enlargement carried within the description of his great name.
gedullah: Greatness or majesty.
גְּדֻלָּה
This noun makes explicit the quality attributed to the LORD’s name.
לַעֲשׂוֹת
la'asot
GROWS FROM
עשה
asah
To do or make.
The Hebrew describes the LORD as pleased to make you his people: belonging is something he does, not something you manufacture. The same root can name a deed or work, keeping the verse’s focus on his action.
ALSO GROWS
ma'aseh: A deed, work, or act.
מַעֲשֶׂה
This branch echoes the verse’s portrayal of peoplehood as something the LORD does.
asiyah: Doing, making, or action.
עֲשִׂיָּה
It brings the active sense of the root into view: the LORD’s choice takes form in what he makes.
THE PATTERN
The LORD’s commitment to his people is grounded in his own character and choice, not in their power to secure it.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.THE THREAD
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.The Hebrew root נטש appears in “forsake me” as a plea not to be abandoned. Here that same fear meets the assurance that the LORD will not forsake his people because of his name and his choice to make them his own.
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