King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 16:29 Mean?

1 Chronicles 16:29 in the King James Version says “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty o...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

1 Chronicles 16:29 · KJV

Context

27

Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30

Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

Read 1 Chronicles 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The dual command to 'give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name' and 'bring an offering' connects worship with sacrifice. The phrase 'glory due unto his name' (kavod shemo) acknowledges God's infinite worthiness - He deserves worship not based on what we gain but who He is. Bringing an offering demonstrates worship's costly nature; true praise involves sacrifice. The command to 'worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness' (hadrat qodesh) can mean 'in holy array' or 'in beautiful holiness,' suggesting both external reverence and internal purity. This prefigures Christ's perfect offering and calls believers to present themselves as living sacrifices.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Bringing offerings accompanied worship in ancient Israel's sacrificial system. David's establishment of regular sacrifices and worship (16:1-3) anticipated Solomon's temple, where morning and evening offerings would continue daily, pointing forward to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'offerings' - time, resources, service - is God calling you to bring as worship?
  2. How does understanding God's infinite worthiness affect your enthusiasm and reverence in corporate worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
הָב֥וּ1 of 12

“Give”

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

לַֽיהוָ֖ה2 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כְּב֣וֹד3 of 12

“the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

שְׁמ֑וֹ4 of 12

“due unto his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שְׂא֤וּ5 of 12

“bring”

H5375

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

מִנְחָה֙6 of 12

“an offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וּבֹ֣אוּ7 of 12

“and come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְפָנָ֔יו8 of 12

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הִשְׁתַּֽחֲו֥וּ9 of 12

“him worship”

H7812

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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה10 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּהַדְרַת11 of 12

“in the beauty”

H1927

decoration

קֹֽדֶשׁ׃12 of 12

“of holiness”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 16:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 16:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 100:4Psalms 96:9Isaiah 6:3Psalms 108:3-5Psalms 96:6Psalms 95:2

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