King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 29:11 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Thine, O Lord, is the greatness.**—The point of 1Chronicles 29:11-12 seems to be that David arrogates nothing to himself; but, with the humility of genuine greatness, ascribes everything to God. As if he said, “The greatness of my kingdom, the prowess of my warriors, the splendour and majesty of my throne, are thine, for thine are all things.” **Greatness.**—*Gĕdullāh,* a late word. (Comp. Psalm 71:21; Psalm 145:3.) **Power.**—Strictly, *manly strength;* then valour, prowess (Psalm 21:13). (Comp. Exodus 15:3.) **The glory.**—Ornament, beauty, splendour (Isaiah 3:18; Isaiah 13:19; Isaiah 46:13; Psalm 96:6). **Majesty.**—See Psalm 21:6; Psalm 96:6. **Victory.**—Glory, splendour (1Samuel 15:29). “Victory” is the meaning of the word in Syriac, and so the LXX. and Vulg. render here. But the Syriac version has “beauty.” or “glory.” With the whole ascription, comp. Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12; Revelation 7:12. **All that is in the heavens . . . is thine.**—The pronoun (*lāk*) seems to have fallen out before the following: *“*Thine (*lĕkā*) is the kingdom.” (Comp. for the idea Psalm 89:11; Psalm 24:1.) **The kingdom.**—The universal sovereignty (Psalm 96:10; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 22:28). **Thou art exalted as head above all.**—Lit., *And the self-exalted over all as head* (*art thou*)*.* (Comp. Numbers 16:3.) Here also the pronoun *(’āttāh*) may have been lost at the end. Ewald, however, explains the apparent participle as an Aramaized infinitive: “And the being exalted over all as head *is thine.”* (Comp. Isaiah 24:21 for the supremacy of God over all powers of heaven and earth.) **As head.**—Comp. Deuteronomy 28:13; Psalm 18:43; Colossians 2:10.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.