1 Chronicles 21:17

21:16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

KJV

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David said to God, “Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be counted? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued.”

And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

And David said to God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let your hand, I pray you, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on your people, that they should be plagued. ¶

21:18 Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

What does 1 Chronicles 21:17 mean?

1 Chronicles 21:17 is a verse in the book of 1 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דָּוִד (Dâvid), אָמַר (ʼâmar), אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym). It connects to 2 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

DavidדָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse

saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

unto

God,אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym/el-o-heem'/H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

not

that

commandedאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

the

peopleעַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

numbered?מָנָהmânâh/maw-naw'/H4487properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll

even

that

have

sinnedחָטָאchâṭâʼ/khaw-taw'/H2398properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

and

done

evilרָעַעrâʻaʻ/raw-ah'/H7489properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)

indeed;רָעַעrâʻaʻ/raw-ah'/H7489properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)

but

for

these

sheep,צֹאןtsôʼn/tsone/H6629a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

what

have

they

done?עָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

let

thine

hand,יָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),

pray

thee,

LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

me,

and

father'sאָבʼâb/awb/H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

house;בַּיִתbayith/bah'-yith/H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

but

not

thy

people,עַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

that

they

should

plagued.מַגֵּפָהmaggêphâh/mag-gay-faw'/H4046a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:17

HENRY_FULL · 1 Chronicles 21:13–19

David's Kingdom Established. ( b. c. 1045.) 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel. 3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters. 4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet, 6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet. We may observe here, 1. There is no man that has such a sufficiency in himself but he has need of his neighbours and has reason to be thankful for their help: David had a very large kingdom, Hiram a very little one; yet David could not build himself a house to his mind unless Hiram furnished him with both workmen and materials, v. 1 . This is a reason why we should despise none, but, as we have opportunity, be obliging to all. 2. It is a great satisfaction to a wise man to be settled, and to a good man to see the special providences of God in his settlement. The people had made David king; but he could not be easy, nor think himself happy, till he perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, v. 2 . "Who shall unfix me if God hath fixed me?" 3. We must look upon all our advancements as designed for our usefulness. David's kingdom was lifted up on high, not for his own sake, that he might look great, but because of his people Israel, that he might be a guide and protector to them. We are blessed in order that we may be blessings. See Gen. xii. 2 . We are not born, nor do we live, for ourselves. 4. It is difficult to thrive without growing secure and indulgent to the flesh. It was David's infirmity that when he settled in his kingdom he took more wives ( v. 3 ), yet the numerous issue he had added to his honour and strength. Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord. We had an account of David's children, not only in Samuel, but in this book ( ch. iii. 1 , &c.) and now here again; for it was their honour to have such a father.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Samuel 5:16

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

1 Chronicles 3:8

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. Eliada: or, Beeliada IChro.14.7.

Topics

Araunah Nation Ornan Sin (1)Vision

People & places in this verse

People

David

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Chronicles 21:17.

1 Samuel 26:21

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Ecclesiastes 3:18

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. that God: or, that they might clear God, and see, etc

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Isaiah 1:10

Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

Isaiah 2:3

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:9

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. people and: or, people, yet

Jeremiah 33:13

In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Chronicles 21:17 say?

1 Chronicles 21:17 (King James Version) reads: "And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued."

Is 1 Chronicles 21:17 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Chronicles 21:17 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Chronicles.

Reflect

As you read 1 Chronicles 21:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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