1 Chronicles 21:5

Authorized King James Version

And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
יוֹאָ֛ב
And Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מִסְפַּ֥ר
the sum
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#5
מִפְקַד
of the number
an appointment, i.e., mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census
#6
הָעָ֖ם
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
דָּוִ֑יד
unto David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#9
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
כָֽל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל
And all they of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#13
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#14
מֵא֨וֹת
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#15
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#16
אִ֖ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#17
שֹׁ֥לֵֽף
that drew
to pull out, up or off
#18
חָֽרֶב׃
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#19
וִֽיהוּדָ֕ה
and Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#20
אַרְבַּע֩
was four
four
#21
מֵא֨וֹת
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#22
וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים
threescore and ten
seventy
#23
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#24
אִ֖ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#25
שֹׁ֥לֵֽף
that drew
to pull out, up or off
#26
חָֽרֶב׃
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

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 covenant community 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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection