1 Chronicles 21:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אָמַ֜רְתִּי

H559

Is it not I that commanded

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֣יד

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶֽל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהַ֗י

H430

my God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הֲלֹא֩

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲנִ֨י

H589

אָמַ֜רְתִּי

H559

Is it not I that commanded

to say (used with great latitude)

לִמְנ֣וֹת

H4487

to be numbered

properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll

וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֖

H5971

but not on thy people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#10

וַֽאֲנִי

H589

#11

ה֤וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#12

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

חָטָ֙אתִי֙

H2398

even I it is that have sinned

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#14

הֲרֵע֔וֹתִי

H7489

and done evil

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

#15

הֲרֵע֔וֹתִי

H7489

and done evil

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

#16

וְאֵ֥לֶּה

H428

these or those

#17

הַצֹּ֖אן

H6629

but as for these sheep

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#18

מֶ֣ה

H4100

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

#19

עָשׂ֑וּ

H6213

what have they done

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#20

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

I pray thee O LORD

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

#21

אֱלֹהַ֗י

H430

my God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#22

תְּהִ֨י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#23

נָ֤א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#24

יָֽדְךָ֙

H3027

let thine hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#25

בִּ֚י

#26

וּבְבֵ֣ית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#27

אָבִ֔י

be on me and on my father's

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#28

וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֖

H5971

but not on thy people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#29

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#30

לְמַגֵּפָֽה׃

H4046

that they should be plagued

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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?
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?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?