1 Chronicles 27:23

Authorized King James Version

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְלֹֽא

H3808

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

נָשָׂ֤א

H5375

took

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

דָוִיד֙

H1732

But David

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִסְפָּרָ֔ם

H4557

not the number

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

לְמִבֶּ֛ן

H1121

old

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים

H6242

of them from twenty

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנָ֖ה

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

וּלְמָ֑טָּה

H4295

and under

downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#10

אָמַ֣ר

H559

had said

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

because the LORD

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

#12

לְהַרְבּ֥וֹת

H7235

he would increase

to increase (in whatever respect)

#13

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Israel

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

#15

כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֥י

H3556

like to the stars

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

#16

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

H8064

of the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

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 this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
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?