King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 29:11 Mean?

1 Chronicles 29:11 in the King James Version says “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the ... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

1 Chronicles 29:11 · KJV


Context

9

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

10

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12

Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

13

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's doxology 'Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine' is one of Scripture's most comprehensive ascriptions of divine sovereignty. The six attributes (greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty, plus kingdom in following clause) enumerate God's supreme excellence. The basis is universal ownership - 'all... is thine.' This theocentric worldview acknowledges God as source and rightful recipient of all glory. It prepares hearts for worship by relativizing human achievement. This doxology informs the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:13) and anticipates heavenly worship (Revelation 5:12-13).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Offered during the assembly dedicating resources for temple construction (c. 971 BCE), this prayer models proper response to sacrificial giving - acknowledging that all gifts come from and return to God. David's humble recognition contrasts with pagan kings who boasted of their achievements.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does acknowledging God's ownership of 'all that is in heaven and earth' affect your attitude toward possessions?
  2. In what ways should this doxology shape your worship, whether in corporate singing or private devotion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לְךָ֣1 of 17
H0
יְהוָה֙2 of 17

O LORD

H3068

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

הַגְּדֻלָּ֨ה3 of 17

is the greatness

H1420

greatness; (concretely) mighty acts

וְהַגְּבוּרָ֤ה4 of 17

and the power

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וְהַתִּפְאֶ֙רֶת֙5 of 17

and the glory

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

וְהַנֵּ֣צַח6 of 17

and the victory

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

וְהַה֔וֹד7 of 17

and the majesty

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

כִּי8 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֖ל9 of 17
H3605

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

בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם10 of 17

for all that is in the heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וּבָאָ֑רֶץ11 of 17

and in the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְךָ֤12 of 17
H0
יְהוָה֙13 of 17

O LORD

H3068

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

הַמַּמְלָכָ֔ה14 of 17

is thine thine is the kingdom

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂ֖א15 of 17

and thou art exalted

H4984

(used as abstractly) supreme exaltation

לְכֹ֥ל׀16 of 17
H3605

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

לְרֹֽאשׁ׃17 of 17

as head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)


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 29:11 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 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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