1 Chronicles 29:20

Authorized King James Version

And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִיד֙

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַקָּהָ֗ל

H6951

And all the congregation

assemblage (usually concretely)

וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ

H1288

Now bless

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

נָ֖א

H4994

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

אֶת

H853

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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

the LORD

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

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

#10

וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ

H1288

Now bless

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

#11

כָֽל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#12

הַקָּהָ֗ל

H6951

And all the congregation

assemblage (usually concretely)

#13

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

the LORD

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

#14

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

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

#15

אֲבֹֽתֵיהֶ֔ם

of their fathers

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

#16

וַיִּקְּד֧וּ

H6915

and bowed down their heads

to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference

#17

וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ

H7812

and worshipped

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#18

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

the LORD

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

#19

וְלַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

H4428

and the king

a king

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 understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?