1 Chronicles 21:12

Authorized King James Version

Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאִם

H518

thee or

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת

H7969

Either three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנִ֜ים

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

רָעָ֗ב

H7458

famine

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְאִם

H518

thee or

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת

H7969

Either three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

חֳדָשִׁ֜ים

H2320

months

the new moon; by implication, a month

נִסְפֶּ֥ה

H5595

to be destroyed

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

מִפְּנֵי

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#10

צָרֶיךָ֮

H6862

thy foes

a pebble (as in h6864)

#11

חֶ֣רֶב

H2719

the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#12

אוֹיְבֶ֣יךָ׀

H341

of thine enemies

hating; an adversary

#13

לְמַשֶּׂגֶת֒

H5381

overtaketh

to reach (literally or figuratively)

#14

וְאִם

H518

thee or

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#15

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת

H7969

Either three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

#16

יָ֠מִים

H3117

days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#17

חֶ֣רֶב

H2719

the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#18

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#19

וְדֶ֙בֶר֙

H1698

even the pestilence

a pestilence

#20

בָּאָ֔רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ

H4397

and the angel

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

#22

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#23

מַשְׁחִ֖ית

H7843

destroying

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

#24

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#25

גְּב֣וּל

H1366

throughout all the coasts

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

#26

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#27

וְעַתָּ֣ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#28

רְאֵ֔ה

H7200

Now therefore advise

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#29

מָֽה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#30

אָשִׁ֥יב

H7725

I shall bring again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#31

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#32

שֹֽׁלְחִ֖י

H7971

to him that sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#33

דָּבָֽר׃

H1697

thyself what word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Chronicles chapter 21 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?