Contact Us

TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

I - Chapter 12

Translation and Transliteration of 

1Then Shmuel said to all Yisrael, “I have yielded to you in all you have asked of me and have set a king over you.

vai-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL el kol yis-ra-AYL hi-NEH sha-MA-tee v'-ko-l'-KHEM l'-KOL a-SHER a-mar-TEM lee va-a-M'-likh a-lay-KHEM me-LEKH

אוַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל֙ אֶל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הִנֵּה֙ שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי בְקֹֽלְכֶ֔ם לְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לִ֑י וָאַמְלִ֥יךְ עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃

2Henceforth the king will be your leader. “As for me, I have grown old and gray—but my sons are still with you—and I have been your leader from my youth to this day.

v'-a-TAH hi-NEH ha-ME-lekh mit-ha-LEKH lif-NE-khem va-a-NEE za-KAN-tee va-sav-TEE u-va-NAI hi-NAM it-KHEM va-a-NEE hit-ha-LAKH-tee lif-NE-khem mi-ne-u-RAI ad ha-YOM ha-ZEH

בוְעַתָּ֞ה הִנֵּ֥ה הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ׀ מִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְ לִפְנֵיכֶ֗ם וַֽאֲנִי֙ זָקַ֣נְתִּי וָשַׂ֔בְתִּי וּבָנַ֖י הִנָּ֣ם אִתְּכֶ֑ם וַֽאֲנִי֙ הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם מִנְּעֻרַ֖י עַד־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

3Here I am! Testify against me, in the presence of Hashem and in the presence of His anointed one: Whose ox have I taken, or whose ass have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will return it to you.”

hi-n'-NI a-NU vi NE-ged a-do-NAI v'-NE-ged m'-shee-KHO et-SHOR, mi la-KAKH-tee va-kha-MOR, mi la-KAKH-tee v'-et mi a-shak-TEE, et mi ra-TSO-tee, u-mi-YAD mi la-KAKH-tee ko-FER, v'-a-a-LIM a-YI-NAI BO, v'-a-SHEEV la-KHEM

גהִנְנִ֣י עֲנ֣וּ בִי֩ נֶ֨גֶד יְהֹוָ֜ה וְנֶ֣גֶד מְשִׁיח֗וֹ אֶת־שׁוֹר֩ ׀ מִ֨י לָקַ֜חְתִּי וַחֲמ֧וֹר מִ֣י לָקַ֗חְתִּי וְאֶת־מִ֤י עָשַׁ֙קְתִּי֙ אֶת־מִ֣י רַצּ֔וֹתִי וּמִיַּד־מִי֙ לָקַ֣חְתִּי כֹ֔פֶר וְאַעְלִ֥ים עֵינַ֖י בּ֑וֹ וְאָשִׁ֖יב לָכֶֽם׃

4They responded, “You have not defrauded us, and you have not robbed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone.”

va-YO-mer-U, lo a-shak-TA-nu, v'-lo ra-TZO-ta-NU, v'-lo la-KAKH-ta mi-YAD-ish m'-U-mah

דוַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א עֲשַׁקְתָּ֖נוּ וְלֹ֣א רַצּוֹתָ֑נוּ וְלֹא־לָקַ֥חְתָּ מִיַּד־אִ֖ישׁ מְאֽוּמָה׃

5He said to them, “Hashem then is witness, and His anointed is witness, to your admission this day that you have found nothing in my possession.” They responded, “He is!”

vai-YO-mer a-LAY-hem AYD a-do-NAI ba-KHEM v'-AYD m'-shee-KHO ha-YOM ha-ZEH, KEE lo m'-tza-TEM b'-ya-DEE m'-u-MAH, vai-YO-mer AYD.

הוַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם עֵ֧ד יְהֹוָ֣ה בָּכֶ֗ם וְעֵ֤ד מְשִׁיחוֹ֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֣י לֹ֧א מְצָאתֶ֛ם בְּיָדִ֖י מְא֑וּמָה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר עֵֽד׃

6Shmuel said to the people, “Hashem [is witness], He who appointed Moshe and Aharon and who brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt.

vai-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL el ha-AHM: a-do-NAI a-SHER a-SA et mo-SHE v'-et a-ha-RON, va-a-SHER he-e-LAH et a-vo-TAY-khem may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim

ווַיֹּ֥אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל אֶל־הָעָ֑ם יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֔ן וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר הֶעֱלָ֛ה אֶת־אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

7Come, stand before Hashem while I cite against you all the kindnesses that Hashem has done to you and your fathers.

v'-a-TAH hit-ya-tz'-VU v'-i-sha-f'-TAH it-KHEM lif-NEI a-do-NAI, AYT kol-tzi-d'-KOT a-do-NAI a-SHER a-SAH it-KHEM v'-et-a-vo-TAY-khem

זוְעַתָּ֗ה הִֽתְיַצְּב֛וּ וְאִשָּׁפְטָ֥ה אִתְּכֶ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה אֵ֚ת כׇּל־צִדְק֣וֹת יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה אִתְּכֶ֖ם וְאֶת־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

8“When Yaakov came to Egypt,…your fathers cried out to Hashem, and Hashem sent Moshe and Aharon, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

ka-a-SHER-BA ya-a-KOV mitz-RA-yim va-yiz-a-KU a-vo-TEY-khem el a-do-NAI va-yish-LAKH a-do-NAI et-MO-sheh ve-et-a-ha-RON va-yo-tzi-U et-a-vo-TEY-khem mi-mitz-RA-yim va-yo-SHI-vuM ba-ma-KOM ha-ZEH

חכַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב מִצְרָ֑יִם וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיּוֹצִ֤יאוּ אֶת־אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וַיֹּשִׁב֖וּם בַּמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

9But they forgot Hashem their God; so He delivered them into the hands of Sisera the military commander of Hazor, into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the kind of Moab; and these made war upon them.

vai-yish-KE-khu et a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-hem, vai-yim-KOR o-TAM b'-yad see-s'-RA sar-tz'-VA kha-TZOR, u-v'-yad p'-lish-TIM, u-v'-yad me-LEKH mo-AV, vai-la-kha-MU BAM

טוַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּמְכֹּ֣ר אֹתָ֡ם בְּיַ֣ד סִֽיסְרָא֩ שַׂר־צְבָ֨א חָצ֜וֹר וּבְיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וּבְיַד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מוֹאָ֔ב וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ בָּֽם׃

10They cried to Hashem, ‘We are guilty, for we have forsaken Hashem and worshiped the Baalim and Ashtaroth. Oh, deliver us from our enemies and we will serve You.'

vai-yiz-a-KU el a-do-NAI (vai-YO-mer) [va-yo-M'-RU] kha-ta-NU, kee a-za-V'-NU et a-do-NAI, va-na-a-VOD et ha-b'-a-LIM v'-et ha-a-sh'-TA-ROT, v'-a-TAH ha-tsi-LE-nu mi-YAD oy-VAY-nu, v'-na-a-VD'-kha

יוַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ אֶל־יְהֹוָה֙ (ויאמר) [וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ] חָטָ֔אנוּ כִּ֤י עָזַ֙בְנוּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה וַנַּעֲבֹ֥ד אֶת־הַבְּעָלִ֖ים וְאֶת־הָעַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת וְעַתָּ֗ה הַצִּילֵ֛נוּ מִיַּ֥ד אֹיְבֵ֖ינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃

11And Hashem sent Yerubaal and Bedan and Yiftach and Shmuel, and delivered you from the enemies around you; and you dwelt in security.

vai-YISH-lakh a-do-NAI et y'-ru-BA-al v'-et b'-DAN v'-et yif-TAKH v'-et sh'-mu-AYL va-ya-TZEL et-KHEM mi-YAD oy-VEY-khem mi-sa-VEEV va-TE-sh'-VU be-TAKH

יאוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־יְרֻבַּ֣עַל וְאֶת־בְּדָ֔ן וְאֶת־יִפְתָּ֖ח וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל וַיַּצֵּ֨ל אֶתְכֶ֜ם מִיַּ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵיכֶם֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וַתֵּשְׁב֖וּ בֶּֽטַח׃

12But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king reigning over us'—though Hashem your God is your King.

va-tir-U ki-NA-khash me-LEKH b'-nay a-MON BA a-LE-khem, va-to-M'-RU li, lo KI me-LEKH yim-LOKH a-LE-nu, va-a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-khem mal-k'-KHEM.

יבוַתִּרְא֗וּ כִּֽי־נָחָ֞שׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ בְּנֵֽי־עַמּוֹן֮ בָּ֣א עֲלֵיכֶם֒ וַתֹּ֣אמְרוּ לִ֔י לֹ֕א כִּי־מֶ֖לֶךְ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ עָלֵ֑ינוּ וַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם מַלְכְּכֶֽם׃

13“Well, Hashem has set a king over you! Here is the king that you have chosen, that you have asked for.

v'-a-TAH hi-NEH ha-ME-lekh a-SHER b'-char-TEM a-SHER sh'-EL-TEM, v'-hi-NEH na-TAN a-do-NAI a-LE-khem ME-lekh

יגוְעַתָּ֗ה הִנֵּ֥ה הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר שְׁאֶלְתֶּ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃

14“If you will revere Hashem, worship Him, and obey Him, and will not flout Hashem's command, if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow Hashem your God, [well and good].

im tee-r'-U et a-do-NAI va-a-vad-TEM o-TO u-sh'-ma-TEM b'-ko-LO v'-LO tam-RU et PEE a-do-NAI vih-yi-TEM gam a-TEM v'-GAM ha-ME-lekh a-sher ma-LAKH a-lay-KHEM a-KHAR a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM

ידאִם־תִּֽירְא֣וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם בְּקוֹל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א תַמְר֖וּ אֶת־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וִהְיִתֶ֣ם גַּם־אַתֶּ֗ם וְגַם־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָלַ֣ךְ עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אַחַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃

 12:14   If you will revere Hashem, worship Him, and obey Him

The prophet Shmuel clarifies to the people that the key to their success will not be their king, but rather their observance of Hashem’s commandments. As Rashi explains, observance of the laws will mean that the People of Israel and its king all live to ripe, old ages. This theme is repeated frequently in the Tanakh. In order for the Children of Israel to be able to live as a free nation in the Land of Israel, they must observe God’s Torah. This is a reminder that their goal is not merely to be free, but rather to be a holy and free nation in Eretz Yisrael. If they do not aspire to this objective, the land will not tolerate their sins and will eventually spit them out (Leviticus 18:26-30)..

15But if you do not obey Hashem and you flout Hashem's command, the hand of Hashem will strike you as it did your fathers.

v'-im-lo tish-m'-U b'-KOL a-do-NAI u-m'-ree-TEM et-PI a-do-NAI v'-ha-Y'-ta yad a-do-NAI ba-KHEM u-va-a-vo-TAY-khem

טווְאִם־לֹ֤א תִשְׁמְעוּ֙ בְּק֣וֹל יְהֹוָ֔ה וּמְרִיתֶ֖ם אֶת־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהָיְתָ֧ה יַד־יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּכֶ֖ם וּבַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

16“Now stand by and see the marvelous thing that Hashem will do before your eyes.

gam-a-TAH hit-ya-tz'-VU u-r'-U et ha-da-VAHR ha-ga-DOL ha-ZEH a-SHER a-do-NAI o-SEH l'-ay-NAY-khem

טזגַּם־עַתָּה֙ הִתְיַצְּב֣וּ וּרְא֔וּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה עֹשֶׂ֖ה לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃

17It is the season of the wheat harvest. I will pray to Hashem and He will send thunder and rain; then you will take thought and realize what a wicked thing you did in the sight of Hashem when you asked for a king.”

ha-LO k'-TZIR khee-TEEM ha-YOM ek-RA el a-do-NAI v'-yi-TEN ko-LOt u-ma-TAR u-d'-U u-r'-U kee ra-a-TE-khem ra-BA a-SHER a-SEE-TEM b'-ay-NAY a-do-NAI lish-OL la-KHEM me-LEKH. (Selah)

יזהֲל֤וֹא קְצִיר־חִטִּים֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶקְרָא֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיִתֵּ֥ן קֹל֖וֹת וּמָטָ֑ר וּדְע֣וּ וּרְא֗וּ כִּֽי־רָעַתְכֶ֤ם רַבָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לִשְׁא֥וֹל לָכֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃

18Shmuel prayed to Hashem, and Hashem sent thunder and rain that day, and the people stood in awe of Hashem and of Shmuel.

vai-YIK-ra SHE-mu-EL el a-do-NAI, vai-YI-ten a-do-NAI ko-LOT u-ma-TAR ba-YOM ha-HU, vai-YI-ra kol-ha-AHM me-OD et a-do-NAI v'-et-SHE-mu-EL

יחוַיִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמוּאֵל֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה קֹלֹ֥ת וּמָטָ֖ר בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַיִּירָ֨א כׇל־הָעָ֥ם מְאֹ֛ד אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃

19The people all said to Shmuel, “Intercede for your servants with Hashem your God that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins the wickedness of asking for a king.”

va-yo-MERU kol-ha-AM el sh'-mu-AYL hit-pa-LAYL b'-ad-a-va-DE-kha el a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha v'-al-na-MUT ki-ya-SA-f'-NU al-KOL-kha-TO-tei-NU ra-AH lish-OL LA-nu ME-lekh

יטוַיֹּאמְר֨וּ כׇל־הָעָ֜ם אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל בְּעַד־עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ וְאַל־נָמ֑וּת כִּֽי־יָסַ֤פְנוּ עַל־כׇּל־חַטֹּאתֵ֙ינוּ֙ רָעָ֔ה לִשְׁאֹ֥ל לָ֖נוּ מֶֽלֶךְ׃

20But Shmuel said to the people, “Have no fear. You have, indeed, done all those wicked things. Do not, however, turn away from Hashem, but serve Hashem with all your heart.

vai-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL el ha-AHM: al ti-RA-u, a-TEM a-see-TEM AYT kol ha-ra-AH ha-ZOT, AKH al-ta-SU-ru may-a-kha-RAY a-do-NAI, va-a-va-d'-TEM et a-do-NAI b'-KOL l'-va-va-KHEM

כוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל אֶל־הָעָם֙ אַל־תִּירָ֔אוּ אַתֶּ֣ם עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הָרָעָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את אַ֗ךְ אַל־תָּס֙וּרוּ֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶֽם׃

21Do not turn away to follow worthless things, which can neither profit nor save but are worthless.

v'-LO ta-SU-ru KI a-kha-RAY ha-TO-hu a-SHER lo yo-EE-loo v'-LO ya-tsee-LOO KI-to-HU he-MAH

כאוְלֹ֖א תָּס֑וּרוּ כִּ֣י ׀ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַתֹּ֗הוּ אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יוֹעִ֛ילוּ וְלֹ֥א יַצִּ֖ילוּ כִּי־תֹ֥הוּ הֵֽמָּה׃

22For the sake of His great name, Hashem will never abandon His people, seeing that Hashem undertook to make you His people.

ki lo yit-TOSH a-do-NAI et a-MO ba-a-VUR sh'-MO ha-ga-DOL, ki ho-IL a-do-NAI la-a-SOT et-KHEM lo l'-AM

כבכִּ֠י לֹֽא־יִטֹּ֤שׁ יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ בַּעֲב֖וּר שְׁמ֣וֹ הַגָּד֑וֹל כִּ֚י הוֹאִ֣יל יְהֹוָ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֶתְכֶ֛ם ל֖וֹ לְעָֽם׃

23“As for me, far be it from me to sin against Hashem and refrain from praying for you; and I will continue to instruct you in the practice of what is good and right.

gam a-NO-khi kha-LEE-lah lee me-kha-TO la-a-do-NAI me-kha-DOL l'-hit-pa-LEL ba-ad-KHEM v'-ho-REY-tee et-KHEM b'-de-REKH ha-TO-va v'-ha-y'-sha-RAH

כגגַּ֣ם אָנֹכִ֗י חָלִ֤ילָה לִּי֙ מֵחֲטֹ֣א לַיהֹוָ֔ה מֵחֲדֹ֖ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל בַּעַדְכֶ֑ם וְהוֹרֵיתִ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ הַטּוֹבָ֖ה וְהַיְשָׁרָֽה׃

24Above all, you must revere Hashem and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; and consider how grandly He has dealt with you.

a-KH y'-RA-u et a-do-NAI va-a-va-D'-TEM o-TO b'-e-MET b'-kol l'-va-v'-KHEM, KEE r'-U et a-SHER hi-G'-DIL i-ma-KHEM

כדאַ֣ךְ ׀ יְר֣אוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם אֹת֛וֹ בֶּאֱמֶ֖ת בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י רְא֔וּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־הִגְדִּ֖ל עִמָּכֶֽם׃

25For if you persist in your wrongdoing, both you and your king shall be swept away.”

v'-im ha-RAY ta-RAY-u, gam a-TEM gam mal-K'-KHEM ti-SA-fu. (P)

כהוְאִם־הָרֵ֖עַ תָּרֵ֑עוּ גַּם־אַתֶּ֥ם גַּֽם־מַלְכְּכֶ֖ם תִּסָּפֽוּ׃