1 Chronicles 21:24

Authorized King James Version

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
And king
a king
#3
דָּוִיד֙
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
לְאָרְנָ֔ן
to Ornan
ornan, a jebusite
#5
לֹ֕א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
אֶקְנֶ֖ה
Nay but I will verily
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
#8
אֶקְנֶ֖ה
Nay but I will verily
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
#9
בְּכֶ֣סֶף
price
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#10
מָלֵ֑א
it for the full
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
#11
כִּ֠י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
אֶשָּׂ֤א
for I will not take
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#14
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
לְךָ֙
H0
#16
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
that which is thine for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
וְהַֽעֲל֥וֹת
nor offer
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#18
עוֹלָ֖ה
burnt offerings
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#19
חִנָּֽם׃
without cost
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage

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

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