1 Chronicles 16 13

1 Chronicles 16:13 kjv

O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1 Chronicles 16:13 nkjv

O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

1 Chronicles 16:13 niv

you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

1 Chronicles 16:13 esv

O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

1 Chronicles 16:13 nlt

you children of his servant Israel,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 13 Meaning

This verse serves as a direct address and exhortation to the people of Israel, identifying them by their privileged covenantal relationship with God. It reminds them that they are the descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), chosen by God to be His unique people and His dedicated servants. The emphasis is on their divinely ordained identity and special status, preparing them for the call to remember God's mighty deeds and faithfulness, as further articulated in the Psalm.

1 Chronicles 16 13 Context

First Chronicles 16 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history: David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and setting it within the tent he had prepared. This event marked Jerusalem as the central place of worship and symbolized God's dwelling among His people. After the Ark's placement and the offering of sacrifices, David led the people in a psalm of thanksgiving, parts of which are also found in Ps 105 and 96. Verse 13 is part of this congregational song, serving as an instruction and reminder to the assembly. Historically, it rooted the celebration in Israel's identity as God's elect, preparing them to hear the recount of God's mighty acts on their behalf, from Abraham's call to the Exodus and beyond. It highlights the divine initiative in establishing their nation.

1 Chronicles 16 13 Word analysis

• O: A vocative interjection, drawing attention and signifying a direct address. It lends emphasis and solemnity to the exhortation that follows.
• seed: Hebrew: zeraʿ (זֶרַע). This term refers to offspring, progeny, or descendants. It's significant because it points back to the covenant promises made to Abraham, "seed" (Gen 12:7; 13:16; 15:5). It’s not just about biological lineage but inheriting the covenantal promises and blessings through faith, as discussed in the New Testament (Rom 4; Gal 3).
• of Israel: Identifies the specific recipient of the address. "Israel" is both Jacob's new name (Gen 32:28) and the collective name for his descendants, signifying their status as "God contends" or "Prince with God." It denotes the covenant nation.
• His: Refers to the Lord God, establishing the possessive relationship. These people belong to God.
• servant: Hebrew: ʿeved (עֶבֶד). This term signifies more than just a laborer; it implies a special relationship of devotion, allegiance, and privilege to a master. For Israel, being God's servant meant unique intimacy, protection, and a sacred calling. This stands in stark contrast to servitude to pagan gods or earthly kings, where service could be exploitative. Here, it signifies privileged access and divine care (e.g., Isa 41:8-9, 42:1-4).
• you: Direct second-person plural pronoun, further intensifying the personal appeal to the gathered community.
• children: Hebrew: b'nei (בְּנֵי). Literally "sons of." This emphasizes a familial, intimate relationship with Jacob, the patriarch, and by extension, with God, reinforcing the idea of heirship and identity.
• of Jacob: Jacob is synonymous with Israel, reinforcing the patriarchal foundation and the continuity of the covenant line from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• His chosen ones: Hebrew: b'chīrāyw (בְּחִירָיו). This phrase refers to those specially selected or elected by God. This highlights God's sovereign initiative and grace in establishing Israel's unique status. It is a powerful theological statement affirming that Israel's identity and privilege come not from their own merit but from God's gracious choice. This concept of divine election is a core biblical theme found throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

• "O seed of Israel His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones!": This entire clause is a strong and multi-faceted declaration of Israel's covenant identity. It stacks titles of divine privilege, emphasizing: Hereditary Identity (seed of Israel, children of Jacob): Grounded in the patriarchal promises. Covenantal Relationship (His servant): Denotes allegiance and devoted service. * Divine Election (His chosen ones): Highlights God's sovereign act of grace in selecting them, underpinning all their blessings and responsibilities. This multifaceted identity served to remind them of their sacred obligations to the Lord in the midst of worship.

1 Chronicles 16 13 Bonus section

The threefold identification of "seed of Israel," "His servant," and "children of Jacob, His chosen ones" in 1 Chron 16:13 encapsulates the core theological understanding of Israel's national identity throughout the Old Testament. This language is not merely honorific; it establishes their unique place in redemptive history and their obligations under the Mosaic covenant. While originally directed to physical Israel, New Testament theology extends the concept of being "chosen" and "servant" to believers in Christ (1 Pet 2:9, Rom 9:6-8, Gal 3:29). This highlights a spiritual lineage and election that fulfills and expands on the promises given to Abraham. The verse implicitly carries a polemic against idolatry by emphasizing that their identity, heritage, and prosperity derive solely from YHWH, the one true God, and not from the gods of surrounding nations. They were distinct because their God had chosen them.

1 Chronicles 16 13 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:13, as part of David's Psalm of Thanksgiving, functions as a foundational address to the gathered people of Israel. Before recounting the mighty works of the Lord, the psalm first re-establishes the identity of its audience. By calling them "the seed of Israel His servant" and "the children of Jacob, His chosen ones," it reminds them that their very existence, lineage, and privileged status are a result of God's divine election and covenant with their patriarchs. This verse underscores that their identity is not self-derived but divinely conferred. It's a reminder of who they are in relation to God – chosen, set apart, and dedicated to His service – which then naturally leads to the expectation that they should remember His works and seek His presence. It encourages them to root their worship, gratitude, and obedience in the awareness of their special, grace-given relationship with the Almighty. This identity-first approach grounds their collective memory and future actions in a divinely ordained reality.