1 Chronicles 17 21

1 Chronicles 17:21 kjv

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

1 Chronicles 17:21 nkjv

And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people?to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?

1 Chronicles 17:21 niv

And who is like your people Israel?the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?

1 Chronicles 17:21 esv

And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?

1 Chronicles 17:21 nlt

What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 21 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:21 is part of David's prayer of thanksgiving in response to God's covenant promise. It exalts God's unparalleled greatness by highlighting the unique status of Israel as the only nation on earth whom God personally redeemed from bondage. This divine act of redemption, particularly from Egypt, was not merely for Israel's sake but primarily to establish God's own glorious name and reputation through mighty and awe-inspiring deeds, specifically through the miraculous deliverance and the driving out of nations from before them. The verse underscores God's sovereignty, His deliberate choice of a people, and His commitment to manifest His power and character through His covenant relationship with them.

1 Chronicles 17 21 Context

1 Chronicles 17 takes place after King David has established his rule in Jerusalem and secured peace. Observing that he dwells in a cedar palace while the ark of the covenant resides in a tent, David desires to build a permanent temple for the Lord. However, through the prophet Nathan, God reveals He will not allow David to build the house. Instead, God promises to build David a "house"—a dynasty and an everlasting kingdom, through his descendant, implying the coming Messiah. This grand promise prompts David's heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving, found in verses 16-27. Verse 21, specifically, is a core part of David's prayer, where he marvels at God's unique relationship with Israel, a relationship forged through divine redemption and mighty acts that demonstrated God's singular power among all nations. It contrasts the one true God with the idols of other nations, which had no such history of powerful, redemptive action for their adherents. The Chronicler emphasizes this because he aims to remind the post-exilic community of their unique heritage and God's faithfulness despite their past failures.

1 Chronicles 17 21 Word analysis

• וּמִי (u-mi): "And who" / "What other". This opening signifies a rhetorical question, designed to elicit the answer "none." It sets up a strong emphasis on Israel's unique, unparalleled status among all peoples.
• כְּעַמְּךָ (k’amməḵā): "like Your people". The prefix 'כְּ' (k'e) means "like" or "as." It compares any other potential nation to God's specific people, Israel, highlighting a distinct, divinely established identity.
• יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśrā’ēl): "Israel". The specific nation, descended from Jacob, named by God. This emphasizes the covenant identity of the nation God chose.
• בָּאָרֶץ (bā’āreṣ): "on the earth". Emphasizes the global, universal scope of this uniqueness. No other nation on the entire planet could claim such a relationship with the Almighty God.
• אֲשֶׁר הָלַךְ (’ǎšer hālaḵ): "whom went". This describes God's direct, personal, and active involvement. It’s not merely that Israel became His people, but that God initiated and executed the process of "going" to acquire them.
• אֱלֹהִים (ʾelohîm): "God". The generic but powerful name for God, here highlighting His divine nature and supreme authority in carrying out this unique action.
• לִפְדּוֹת (lipdōt): "to redeem" / "to ransom". The root פָּדָה (padah) means to liberate by payment, exchange, or mighty power, often used in the context of delivering slaves or captives. Here, it refers supremely to the Exodus from Egypt, where God, through His mighty acts, bought Israel out of slavery for Himself.
• לוֹ לְעָם (lô ləʿām): "for Himself a people". This phrase underlines the possessive and relational aspect of God's redemption. God redeemed Israel not merely to free them, but to make them uniquely His own possession, set apart for His purposes and glory.
• וְלָשׂוּם לְךָ שֵׁם (wəläśûm ləḵā šēm): "and to make for Yourself a name". God's primary motivation for saving Israel was His own glory and reputation. "Name" (שֵׁם - shem) in Hebrew culture embodies a person's character, reputation, authority, and presence. God's mighty acts for Israel demonstrated His true character and power to the entire world.
• וְלַעֲשׂוֹת (wəlaʿăśōt): "and to do". Signifies active, purposeful accomplishment.
• לָכֶם (lāḵem): "for them" / "for you". Refers to the people of Israel; though for God's name, the benefits accrued to His chosen people.
• גְּדֻלּוֹת (gədullōṯ): "great things". Refers to magnificent, unparalleled deeds, especially acts of power and victory.
• וְנֹרָאוֹת (wənōrā’ôṯ): "and awesome things" / "terrible things". Denotes deeds that inspire awe, fear, and wonder because of their overwhelming power and supernatural nature. These would primarily refer to the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the giving of the Law, and the miraculous conquest of Canaan.
• לְגָרֵשׁ (ləgārēš): "to drive out" / "to dispossess". Specifically refers to God's act of expelling the Canaanite nations from the promised land. This was an act of divine judgment and covenant faithfulness to Israel.
• מִפְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ (mippənê ʿammēḵā): "before Your people". Literally "from the face of your people," indicating God’s direct, front-line involvement in conquering the land for Israel.
• אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ לָּךְ (’ǎšer pādîṯā lāḵ): "whom You redeemed for Yourself". Reiteration of the concept of redemption, further emphasizing God's ownership. The word "redeemed" reappears for emphasis, cementing the basis of their relationship.
• מִמִּצְרָיִם (mimmiṣrayim): "from Egypt". Explicitly identifies the specific event of the Exodus as the primary act of redemption foundational to Israel's unique status.

1 Chronicles 17 21 Bonus section

The parallel account in 2 Samuel 7:23 is almost identical to 1 Chronicles 17:21, which highlights the Chronicler's deliberate emphasis on this statement. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic community, emphasizes God's past faithfulness and Israel's unique election to instill hope and reaffirm their identity as the redeemed people of God. The phrase "make a name for yourself" points to God's self-revelation. His acts are not arbitrary but purposeful, aiming to demonstrate His character and power to humanity. This "name" is synonymous with God's very being and authority. The "great and awesome things" refer not just to past miracles but serve as a paradigm for God's future interventions on behalf of His people, promising continued divine activity in their favor.

1 Chronicles 17 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:21 forms a powerful declaration within David's prayer, serving as the bedrock upon which his entire thanksgiving rests. It encapsulates the core of Israel's national identity: they are God's uniquely redeemed people. This redemption, manifested supremely in the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent conquest of Canaan, was not primarily due to Israel's merit but entirely due to God's sovereign choice and His ultimate desire "to make a name for Yourself." God's reputation, power, and glory are intrinsically tied to His acts of deliverance for Israel. The phrase "what other nation... is like Your people Israel" underscores a significant polemic against the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding cultures, asserting that no other deity has intervened so personally, powerfully, or specifically for a chosen people. God’s commitment to His covenant with Israel is highlighted, ensuring them that His mighty arm and great name would always be at work for their welfare, having already delivered such great and awesome things. This historical narrative is not just a remembrance but a foundational truth for David, reminding him, and by extension, the Chronicler's audience (the post-exilic community), of God's unwavering faithfulness and capacity to redeem and establish His people.