1 Chronicles 17 22

1 Chronicles 17:22 kjv

For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

1 Chronicles 17:22 nkjv

For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.

1 Chronicles 17:22 niv

You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, LORD, have become their God.

1 Chronicles 17:22 esv

And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God.

1 Chronicles 17:22 nlt

You chose Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 22 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:22 declares a profound truth about God's eternal relationship with His chosen people, Israel. It states that God Himself sovereignly established Israel as His exclusive and permanent people, and by doing so, irrevocably cemented His identity as their singular God. This verse, part of David's prayer of thanksgiving, emphasizes divine initiative, election, and enduring covenant faithfulness, highlighting Israel's unique status among all nations, not through their merit but through God's unwavering promise.

1 Chronicles 17 22 Context

1 Chronicles 17:22 is a crucial part of David's prayer of thanksgiving, offered after receiving God's astounding covenant promise through the prophet Nathan (1 Chron 17:1-15). David had initially purposed to build a "house" (temple) for God (1 Chron 17:1). However, God responded by saying He would build a "house" (dynasty) for David, establishing his throne and kingdom forever (1 Chron 17:10-14). David's prayer, spanning verses 16-27, is a profound expression of humility, awe, and worship in response to this immeasurable divine grace. Verse 22 specifically recalls God's foundational acts for Israel, emphasizing that the promise to David is rooted in God's prior and ongoing covenant relationship with the entire nation. It highlights that God's plan is comprehensive and extends beyond just one king, affirming Israel's perpetual unique identity and God's unwavering commitment as their deliverer and sovereign. Historically, this prayer sets the stage for the lineage that would ultimately lead to the Messiah, who embodies the eternal promises made to David and to Israel.

1 Chronicles 17 22 Word analysis

• For Your people Israel:

  • Your people: The Hebrew ‘amkha (עַמְּךָ), using the possessive suffix for "Your," emphasizes God's personal ownership and deep, covenantal bond with this specific nation. It signifies exclusivity and a unique relationship.
  • Israel: The name (Hebrew: Yisra'el - יִשְׂרָאֵל), meaning "God strives" or "one who strives with God," is a deeply theological identity, referencing the patriarch Jacob's encounter with God (Gen 32:28). It signifies the nation that descended from him and bears this covenantal identity.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights divine election—Israel is not merely one nation among many, but "Your people," divinely chosen and distinguished.

• You made Your own people forever:

  • You made: The Hebrew verb is va-tasem (וַתָּשֶׂם), derived from the root suwm (שׂוּם), meaning "to put, set, appoint, establish, make." The verb form (Waw-consecutive + Hiphil imperfect 2ms) highlights God's active, direct, and sovereign agency in establishing Israel. It's a creative and foundational act, not a passive recognition.
  • Your own people: This is a direct re-emphasis and clarification of "Your people Israel," stressing their unique designation and set-apart status. It reiterates their special claim to God.
  • forever: The Hebrew le‘olam (לְעוֹלָם) means "for an indefinite duration," "eternally," "perpetually," "for always." It underscores the irreversible and unending nature of God's covenant decision regarding Israel's identity and status.
  • Significance: This phrase underlines the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel, rooted in His sovereign act. It points to a relationship not dependent on Israel's changing circumstances or fluctuating obedience, but on God's immutable will and promise.

• and You, O LORD, have become their God:

  • and You, O LORD: The Hebrew ve'attah YHWH (וְאַתָּה יְהוָה). The pronoun "You" is stressed for emphasis, pointing directly to the uniqueness of the personal covenant God, YHWH (the sacred tetragrammaton, revealing God's personal and covenantal name, "He Is," the self-existent One). This distinguishes Him from any pagan deity.
  • have become: The verb implied here suggests an established and ongoing state, a reciprocal relationship. It’s a dynamic "to be" verb that confirms the existing reality established by the earlier action ("You made").
  • their God: The Hebrew Elohim la-hem (אֱלֹהִים לָהֶם). Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a common Semitic word for "God" or "gods," but when used with YHWH or specific articles/pronouns in the singular sense, it refers to the one true God, embodying omnipotence and majesty. "Their God" confirms that He is not merely a universal deity but specifically the God who has entered into a particular covenant with them.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the covenant reciprocity and fidelity. Because God made them His people, He bound Himself to be their God. This declaration is a core tenant of the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, signaling an exclusive and protective relationship, polemicizing against the idea of Israel serving any other deity.

1 Chronicles 17 22 Bonus section

The chronicler’s inclusion of this specific praise point by David might also serve to reassure his audience, living after the Babylonian exile and temple reconstruction. By emphasizing God's eternal establishment of Israel as His people and His role as their God forever, the Chronicler highlighted the continuing validity of God's covenant despite temporary national failures or devastations. This provides theological grounding for the return to the land and the rebuilding of the temple and communal life. Furthermore, this verse highlights the concept of segullah, God's treasured possession, signifying not merely ownership but an intimate, personal, and zealous care. The uniqueness of YHWH as Israel's God set Him apart from other gods of the ancient Near East, who often represented limited geographical regions or specific natural forces, whereas YHWH's authority was universal, yet His choice of Israel was particular and specific, reflecting His sovereignty and grace.

1 Chronicles 17 22 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:22 is a profound affirmation of God's unyielding commitment to Israel. It acts as the cornerstone of David's thankful prayer, following the glorious promise of an everlasting dynasty. The verse is fundamentally about divine initiative and unchanging purpose. God is not merely reacting to events; He made Israel His people, not they themselves choosing Him in the first instance, nor did circumstances dictate this relationship. The use of "forever" underscores the immutable nature of this covenantal bond, setting Israel apart eternally. This statement implicitly critiques the polytheistic views of surrounding nations by proclaiming YHWH as the exclusive and ever-present God to them. For the post-exilic audience of Chronicles, this served as immense encouragement: despite trials or scattering, God's essential election and identity as "their God" remained steadfast, forming the bedrock for their hope of restoration and future Messianic promise. It reminds believers across ages that God's identity is intrinsically linked to His people.