1 Chronicles 16:21 kjv
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
1 Chronicles 16:21 nkjv
He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
1 Chronicles 16:21 niv
He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:
1 Chronicles 16:21 esv
he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
1 Chronicles 16:21 nlt
Yet he did not let anyone oppress them.
He warned kings on their behalf:
1 Chronicles 16 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:17 | But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because... | God's protective plagues for Abram. |
| Gen 20:3 | But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man..." | God warns Abimelech regarding Sarah. |
| Ex 19:4 | You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings... | God's rescue and care for Israel. |
| Deut 7:9 | Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant... | God's faithfulness to His covenant. |
| Deut 32:10 | He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him... | God's care in the wilderness. |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms... | God's eternal protection for His people. |
| Josh 21:45 | Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel... | God fulfills all His promises. |
| Judg 2:1 | ...and said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you to the land... | Reminder of God's leading and deliverance. |
| Ps 3:3 | But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts my head. | God as a personal shield. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. | God is always available in times of trouble. |
| Ps 89:34 | My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. | God's unchanging covenant. |
| Ps 105:14 | He suffered no one to do them wrong; Yes, He reproved kings for their sakes. | Direct parallel, confirming God's protection. |
| Isa 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers... | God's presence through trials. |
| Isa 49:25 | But thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away... | God promises deliverance from oppressors. |
| Isa 54:17 | No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you... | God's ultimate protection for His servants. |
| Zec 2:8 | For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” | Hurting God's people is hurting Him directly. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it... | God's sovereign control over kings. |
| Dan 2:21 | And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings... | God's power over nations and rulers. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God... | God works all things for good for believers. |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's ultimate support for believers. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people... | New Testament believers as God's chosen ones. |
| 1 John 4:4 | You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you... | God's indwelling Spirit protects believers. |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 21 Meaning
This verse highlights God's unwavering and active protection of His chosen people, ancient Israel, particularly during their nomadic sojourn before establishing their nation. It states that God proactively prevented any individual from harming them, going so far as to confront and rebuke powerful kings for their sake, demonstrating His supreme authority over all earthly rulers and His faithful commitment to His covenant.
1 Chronicles 16 21 Context
This verse is part of David's psalm of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. This psalm was given to Asaph and his brethren to perform regularly before the Ark of the Covenant, after David had brought it to Jerusalem. Chapters 13-16 recount this pivotal moment in Israel's worship life. Specifically, verses 15-22 of the psalm focus on God's covenant with His people and His miraculous protection over them from the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through their sojourning and into their development as a numerous people. The subsequent verse, 1 Chronicles 16:22, clarifies "them" by stating, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." This psalm serves to remind Israel of God's historical faithfulness and sovereignty, encouraging them to remember His works and praise Him continually.
1 Chronicles 16 21 Word analysis
- He suffered: From the Hebrew root נָתַן (nathan), implying 'gave' or 'allowed', but here with a negative, לֹא־הִנִּיחַ (lo'-hinniah), meaning "He did not permit," "He did not abandon/let be," or "He restrained." This denotes an active and deliberate preventing action by God.
- no man: Implies no human being, regardless of their status or power. This universal negation underscores the comprehensiveness of God's protective reach.
- to do them wrong: Hebrew לְעָשְׁקָם (le'oshqam), from the root עָשַׁק ('ashaq), meaning "to oppress," "to defraud," "to exploit," "to treat violently," or "to unjustly withhold from." It covers various forms of harm, injustice, and mistreatment.
- yea: This transitional word emphasizes the intensity and extent of God's action, introducing an even more astonishing demonstration of His protection. It means "indeed" or "moreover."
- he reproved: Hebrew וַיּוֹכַח (vayyokhaḥ), from the root יָכַח (yākhaḥ), meaning "to rebuke," "to admonish," "to correct," "to plead with," or "to convict." It signifies a divine confrontation, an authoritative intervention that highlights the kings' wrongdoing and God's right to challenge them. This wasn't merely a warning, but a forceful, effective rebuke.
- kings: Hebrew מְלָכִים (melakhim), meaning sovereign rulers of nations. The plural signifies that this was not a singular incident, but a pattern of divine intervention against multiple rulers.
- for their sakes: Hebrew בַּעֲבוּרָם (ba'abûrām), literally "because of them" or "on their account." This reveals God's motivation: His deep care and commitment to His chosen people due to His covenant. It emphasizes that the intervention was solely for the benefit and protection of His people.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "He suffered no man to do them wrong": This phrase paints a picture of God's comprehensive, active, and meticulous protective presence. He wasn't passive but actively ensured that no harm could be inflicted upon His chosen ones, even when they were vulnerable. It highlights divine providence against exploitation and injustice.
- "yea, he reproved kings for their sakes": This segment further amplifies God's protective nature by illustrating the extent of His intervention. Not only did He prevent harm, but He directly challenged the highest human authorities (kings) who posed a threat, all on behalf of His people. This underscores God's sovereignty over earthly powers and His zealous devotion to His covenant promises. The shift from "no man" to "kings" emphasizes that even the most powerful individuals are subject to God's authority when it comes to harming His beloved.
1 Chronicles 16 21 Bonus section
The historical narrative in Chronicles often highlights the importance of keeping the covenant and relying on God's protection. This verse, rooted in God's historical care for the Patriarchs, serves as an eternal principle: God stands as a formidable defender for His elect. In the New Covenant, this truth extends to all believers, who are now considered part of God's spiritual "anointed ones" (Christians, those in Christ who received an anointing of the Holy Spirit, 1 John 2:20, 27) and "a royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). The divine promise echoes: harm to His people is harm to His very person, metaphorically described as touching "the apple of His eye" (Zec 2:8). This divine protective posture undergirds believers' security amidst persecution or societal opposition. It reminds us that our true battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12), and that the Lord is ultimately in control of all earthly authorities and circumstances (Rom 13:1).
1 Chronicles 16 21 Commentary
1 Chronicles 16:21 beautifully illustrates God's unyielding covenant faithfulness and sovereign power. This verse is part of a grand psalm of remembrance, urging Israel to recall God's mighty acts on their behalf throughout history. It points specifically to the Patriarchal period, when Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though few in number and often strangers in foreign lands, were supernaturally shielded by God. Examples from Genesis, like Pharaoh and Abimelech being rebuked for attempting to harm Sarah (Abraham's wife), show God's direct intervention. This was not mere luck but deliberate divine action, restraining powerful rulers and even afflicting them with plagues (as in Gen 12) for daring to touch God's "anointed ones" and "prophets" (as v.22 clarifies). The lesson for ancient Israel, and for believers today, is that God deeply cherishes His people. He exercises supreme authority over all human powers, ensuring that ultimately, no one can successfully thwart His plan or irrevocably harm those He has chosen and called. This truth fosters trust and worship, reminding us that our security rests in His unfailing power and love.