King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 21:12 Mean?

1 Chronicles 21:12 in the King James Version says “Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overt... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

1 Chronicles 21:12 · KJV


Context

10

Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. offer: Heb. stretch out

11

So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee Choose: Heb. Take to thee

12

Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

13

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man. very great: or, very many

14

So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on David's census and divine judgment. The Hebrew term חֵטְא (chet) - sin/offense is theologically significant here, pointing to Even godly leaders sin and face consequences. 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 Even godly leaders sin and face consequences. 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: Christ bears judgment for sin on our behalf.

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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 David's census and divine judgment 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 Even godly leaders sin and face consequences challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ bears judgment for sin on our behalf 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 · 33 words
וְאִם1 of 33

thee or

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת2 of 33

Either three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנִ֜ים3 of 33

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

רָעָ֗ב4 of 33

famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְאִם5 of 33

thee or

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת6 of 33

Either three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

חֳדָשִׁ֜ים7 of 33

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

נִסְפֶּ֥ה8 of 33

to be destroyed

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

מִפְּנֵי9 of 33

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

צָרֶיךָ֮10 of 33

thy foes

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

חֶ֣רֶב11 of 33

the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אוֹיְבֶ֣יךָ׀12 of 33

of thine enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

לְמַשֶּׂגֶת֒13 of 33

overtaketh

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

וְאִם14 of 33

thee or

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת15 of 33

Either three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָ֠מִים16 of 33

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חֶ֣רֶב17 of 33

the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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

וְדֶ֙בֶר֙19 of 33

even the pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

בָּאָ֔רֶץ20 of 33

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ21 of 33

and the angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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

מַשְׁחִ֖ית23 of 33

destroying

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

בְּכָל24 of 33
H3605

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

גְּב֣וּל25 of 33

throughout all the coasts

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל26 of 33

of Israel

H3478

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

וְעַתָּ֣ה27 of 33
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

רְאֵ֔ה28 of 33

Now therefore advise

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מָֽה29 of 33
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אָשִׁ֥יב30 of 33

I shall bring again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת31 of 33
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

שֹֽׁלְחִ֖י32 of 33

to him that sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

דָּבָֽר׃33 of 33

thyself what word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause


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 21:12 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 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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