King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 7:23 Mean?

2 Samuel 7:23 in the King James Version says “And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, ...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?”

2 Samuel 7:23 · KJV

Context

21

For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

22

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

24

For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.

25

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.

Read 2 Samuel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

This verse contributes to the narrative of Davidic Covenant, emphasizing eternal promises, Messianic hope. The Davidic Covenant represents one of Scripture's most significant theological developments, promising an eternal dynasty culminating in Messiah. The Hebrew bayit (בַּיִת, 'house') functions as wordplay—David wanted to build God a house (temple), but God promises to build David a house (dynasty). Cross-references to Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 23:5, and New Testament passages (Luke 1:32-33, Acts 2:30) demonstrate this covenant's centrality to redemptive history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 7 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding eternal promises, Messianic hope provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of eternal promises, Messianic hope?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וּמִ֤י1 of 28
H4310

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

עַמְּךָ֗2 of 28

“for a people”

H5971

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

כְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל3 of 28

“even like Israel”

H3478

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

גּוֹיִ֖ם4 of 28

“from the nations”

H1471

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

אֶחָ֖ד5 of 28

“And what one”

H259

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

לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ6 of 28

“for thy land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 28
H834

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

הָלְכֽוּ8 of 28

“went”

H1980

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

וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃9 of 28

“and their gods”

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

פָּדִ֤יתָ10 of 28

“to redeem”

H6299

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

ל֨וֹ11 of 28
H0
עַמְּךָ֗12 of 28

“for a people”

H5971

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

וְלָשׂ֧וּם13 of 28

“to himself and to make”

H7760

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

ל֣וֹ14 of 28
H0
שֵׁ֗ם15 of 28

“him a name”

H8034

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

וְלַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת16 of 28

“and to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶ֜ם17 of 28
H0
הַגְּדוּלָּ֤ה18 of 28

“for you great things”

H1420

greatness; (concretely) mighty acts

וְנֹֽרָאוֹת֙19 of 28

“and terrible”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ20 of 28

“for thy land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵ֣י21 of 28

“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

עַמְּךָ֗22 of 28

“for a people”

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר23 of 28
H834

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

פָּדִ֤יתָ24 of 28

“to redeem”

H6299

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

לְּךָ֙25 of 28
H0
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם26 of 28

“to thee from Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

גּוֹיִ֖ם27 of 28

“from the nations”

H1471

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

וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃28 of 28

“and their gods”

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 7:23 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 2 Samuel 7:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 10:21Deuteronomy 9:26Deuteronomy 33:29Nehemiah 1:10Deuteronomy 15:15Psalms 111:9

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 7 →

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