1 Chronicles 17:20 kjv
O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1 Chronicles 17:20 nkjv
O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1 Chronicles 17:20 niv
"There is no one like you, LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
1 Chronicles 17:20 esv
There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1 Chronicles 17:20 nlt
"O LORD, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!
1 Chronicles 17 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:35 | To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. | God's unique identity revealed |
| Deut 4:39 | ...the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. | Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty |
| Deut 6:4 | Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! | The foundational declaration of monotheism |
| 1 Sam 2:2 | "There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You... | Hannah's praise: God's unparalleled holiness |
| Ps 86:8 | There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. | God's distinctiveness among supposed deities |
| Ps 89:6 | For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? | God's supreme authority in heavenly realm |
| Ps 96:5 | For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. | Contrast between false gods and creator God |
| Isa 40:18 | To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? | Emphasizing God's absolute incomparability |
| Isa 44:6 | "I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me." | God as the exclusive Alpha and Omega |
| Isa 45:5 | "I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me." | Affirmation of unique Godship |
| Jer 10:6-7 | There is none like You, O LORD... Who would not fear You... for it is fitting... | God's incomparable greatness and deserving of fear |
| Hos 13:4 | "Yet I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; And you shall know no god but Me..." | God's unchanging nature and exclusive demand |
| Mark 12:32 | "Right, Teacher; you have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him..." | Scribe's affirmation of God's oneness (NT) |
| Rom 10:17 | So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. | Principle of truth being received through hearing |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. | NT assertion against idols and for one God |
| Eph 4:6 | one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. | God's supreme authority over all creation (NT) |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. | Single God and the necessity of one mediator |
| Gen 1:1 | In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. | Implied uniqueness in God as sole creator |
| Ex 20:3 | "You shall have no other gods before Me." | First commandment's direct implication |
| Ps 113:5-6 | Who is like the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things in heaven and on earth? | God's condescension highlights His uniqueness |
1 Chronicles 17 verses
1 Chronicles 17 20 Meaning
This verse is a profound declaration by David, affirming the singular, unparalleled, and unique nature of God, the LORD (Yahweh). It asserts that there is no other being comparable to Him in might, majesty, or character, and crucially, that there is no other true God besides Him. This conviction is not based on speculative philosophy but on the cumulative testimony of divine revelation received throughout Israel's history.
1 Chronicles 17 20 Context
1 Chronicles 17 details God's magnificent covenant promise to King David, delivered through the prophet Nathan. David had expressed a desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, feeling it was inappropriate for him to live in a grand palace while God's presence resided in a tent. However, God, through Nathan, tells David that he will not build the temple, but rather God will build David a "house" – establishing a lasting dynasty and ensuring his descendant (Solomon) will build the temple. God promises an eternal kingdom and a perpetual line for David's throne (1 Chron 17:11-14). Verse 20 is a part of David's humble and awestruck prayer of thanksgiving in response to this astonishing and gracious covenant (1 Chron 17:16-27). It follows David's profound statement of humility (17:16), recognizing his unworthiness for such great favor. Thus, the verse functions as David's foundational affirmation of God's singular identity and power, making Him utterly trustworthy to fulfill His immense promises.
1 Chronicles 17 20 Word analysis
- O LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the tetragrammaton, the personal, covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, eternal, faithful God who is actively involved with His people. David's use of Yahweh emphasizes a relational address to the one true God who makes and keeps covenants, distinct from the generic "gods" of other nations.
- there is none like You (אֵין כָּמוֹךָ, 'eyn kamokha): Literally "not like you." This phrase expresses absolute incomparability. God is in a category of His own, fundamentally different and infinitely superior to anything or anyone else. It's a statement of qualitative uniqueness—His being, attributes, power, and wisdom are beyond comparison. This polemically stands against the multiplicity of pagan deities, none of whom possess these absolute attributes.
- nor is there any God besides You (וְאֵין אֱלֹהִים מִבַּלְעָדֶיךָ, w'ên 'elohim mibbal'adeyka): This affirms monotheism unequivocally. The word elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is the general Hebrew term for God or gods. Here, coupled with "besides You," it emphatically declares that there are no true, legitimate deities apart from Yahweh. It refutes polytheism not just as incorrect theology, but as worship of non-existent entities (idols).
- according to all that we have heard with our ears: This highlights that the truth of God's uniqueness is not a theoretical discovery but a revealed truth. "Heard with our ears" refers to the long history of God's verbal revelation and His mighty acts witnessed by Israel: the Exodus, the giving of the Law, the promises to Abraham, the stories passed down through generations. This historical testimony confirms His incomparable and exclusive nature, reinforcing the reliability and authenticity of David's declaration. It grounds faith in demonstrable historical experience and divine utterance.
1 Chronicles 17 20 Bonus section
The Hebrew phrase "according to all that we have heard with our ears" not only references the historical revelations of God but also connects to the principle that faith comes by hearing. This understanding was vital for Israel's covenant relationship, as their unique God chose to reveal Himself through spoken word and historical actions rather than solely through natural observation or abstract philosophy. It sets a precedent for how divine truth is acquired and maintained across generations, emphasizing the importance of teaching and tradition based on God's Word. This verse is also a profound echo of the Shema (Deut 6:4), "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one," serving as a constant reminder of the exclusive allegiance Israel owed to Yahweh alone. David’s prayer implicitly affirms that God’s uniqueness and solitary godhead are inextricably linked to His ability to fulfil promises and exercise absolute sovereignty over history and destiny.
1 Chronicles 17 20 Commentary
1 Chronicles 17:20 stands as a foundational creed in David's prayer, anchoring his awe and thanksgiving in the very nature of the God who has made such astounding covenant promises. It's not a mere polite affirmation but a deep theological statement. The declaration "there is none like You" underscores God's singular qualitative superiority; He is unapproachable in His perfections—His omnipotence, omniscience, holiness, and unwavering faithfulness. This contrasts starkly with the limited, flawed, and often human-like deities of the surrounding cultures, highlighting Yahweh's utter transcendence. The subsequent declaration, "nor is there any God besides You," asserts His absolute singularity of existence. This is pure monotheism, forcefully rejecting any rival claim to divine power or authority. This twin assertion serves as the bedrock for all true worship and trust. Because God is incomparable and singular, His promises—such as the eternal dynasty given to David—are utterly reliable. This understanding moves worship from mere ritual to genuine adoration of the one sovereign God. For the believer, it affirms the exclusive claims of the one true God, solidifying trust in His sovereign plans and demonstrating the absurdity of idolatry or reliance on anything other than Him.