King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 17:21 Mean?

1 Chronicles 17:21 in the King James Version says “And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?”

1 Chronicles 17:21 · KJV

Salvation

Context

19

O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. great: Heb. greatnesses

20

O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

21

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

22

For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

23

Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Davidic Covenant - God's promise of eternal dynasty. The Hebrew term עוֹלָם (olam) - everlasting/eternal is theologically significant here, pointing to God's unconditional covenant promises. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about God's unconditional covenant promises. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Jesus as eternal Son of David.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of Davidic Covenant - God's promise of eternal dynasty occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on God's unconditional covenant promises challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Jesus as eternal Son of David teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּמִי֙1 of 24
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עַמְּךָ֛2 of 24

“is like thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל3 of 24

“Israel”

H3478

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

גּוֹיִֽם׃4 of 24

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֶחָ֖ד5 of 24

“And what one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בָּאָ֑רֶץ6 of 24

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר֩7 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלַ֨ךְ8 of 24

“went”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים9 of 24

“whom God”

H430

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

פָּדִ֥יתָ10 of 24

“to redeem”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

ל֣וֹ11 of 24
H0
עַמְּךָ֛12 of 24

“is like thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לָשׂ֤וּם13 of 24

“to make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְךָ֙14 of 24
H0
שֵׁ֚ם15 of 24

“thee a name”

H8034

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

גְּדֻלּ֣וֹת16 of 24

“of greatness”

H1420

greatness; (concretely) mighty acts

וְנֹֽרָא֔וֹת17 of 24

“and terribleness”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

לְגָרֵ֗שׁ18 of 24

“by driving out”

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

מִפְּנֵ֧י19 of 24

“from 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

עַמְּךָ֛20 of 24

“is like thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר21 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פָּדִ֥יתָ22 of 24

“to redeem”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם23 of 24

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

גּוֹיִֽם׃24 of 24

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

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 17:21 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 17:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 20:9-10Deuteronomy 7:1-2Isaiah 64:3Deuteronomy 15:15Psalms 111:9Isaiah 48:9

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in 1 Chronicles 17 →

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