1 Chronicles 29:18

Authorized King James Version

O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהוָ֗ה
H3068
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#2
אֱ֠לֹהֵי
H430
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
#3
אַבְרָהָ֞ם
H85
of Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#4
יִצְחָ֤ק
H3327
Isaac
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
#5
וְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
and of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
H1
our fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
שֳׁמְרָה
H8104
keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#8
זֹּ֣את
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#9
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
H5769
this for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#10
לְיֵ֥צֶר
H3336
in the imagination
a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)
#11
מַחְשְׁב֖וֹת
H4284
of the thoughts
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
#12
לְבָבָ֖ם
H3824
of the heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#13
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
H5971
of thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
וְהָכֵ֥ן
H3559
and prepare
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#15
לְבָבָ֖ם
H3824
of the heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#16
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection