1 Chronicles 29 21

1 Chronicles 29:21 kjv

And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

1 Chronicles 29:21 nkjv

And they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

1 Chronicles 29:21 niv

The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

1 Chronicles 29:21 esv

And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

1 Chronicles 29:21 nlt

The next day they brought 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 male lambs as burnt offerings to the LORD. They also brought liquid offerings and many other sacrifices on behalf of all Israel.

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 21 Meaning

1 Chronicles 29:21 describes an extraordinary day of corporate worship following the people's generous contributions for the temple and the anointing of Solomon as king. On the day after these events, the Israelites offered immense numbers of sacrifices to the LORD, including thousands of bullocks, rams, and lambs, accompanied by drink offerings and many other sacrifices. This grand display of worship signified the nation's overwhelming joy, gratitude, unity, and complete devotion to God at a pivotal moment of leadership transition and dedication to the future Temple.

1 Chronicles 29 21 Context

This verse is situated at the climax of David's preparations for the Temple. Having assembled vast resources and encouraged the people to contribute willingly, David offered a profound prayer of blessing and thanksgiving to the LORD, acknowledging God as the source of all wealth and ability to give. Following this, the people of Israel joyfully committed their own offerings with "a perfect heart" (1 Chr 29:9). The day before verse 21, they anointed Solomon as king for the second time, cementing his succession (1 Chr 29:22). This grand public sacrifice is thus an expression of communal worship, national unity, and spiritual renewal, cementing the transfer of authority to Solomon under divine blessing and reaffirming their covenant relationship with Yahweh as they prepared to build His house.

1 Chronicles 29 21 Word analysis

• And they offered sacrifices: The Hebrew word for "offered" (וַיִּזְבְּח֥וּ - va'yizb'khu) comes from the root זָבַח (zavach), meaning "to slaughter for sacrifice." This often refers to zevakhim (plural), general sacrifices, which could include peace offerings shared by the people. This highlights their act of providing sacrificial animals for presentation to God.
• to the LORD: Emphasizes the exclusive recipient of their worship. The offerings were directed solely to YHWH (יְהוָה - Yahweh), the covenant God of Israel. This underscored their monotheism and loyalty in contrast to the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations.
• and offered burnt offerings: The term "burnt offerings" (עוֹלוֹת - `olot) comes from the root עָלָה (alah), meaning "to ascend" or "go up." These were whole offerings, completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion, propitiation, and surrender to God, with no portion returned to the offerer or priest.
• to the LORD: Reiterates that these burnt offerings, like the other sacrifices, were singularly dedicated to Yahweh, further distinguishing their worship from idolatry.
• on the next day after that day: This precise temporal marker indicates the immediacy and significance of this worship event. It was directly consequent to the grand assembly, the people's giving, and Solomon's second anointing (1 Chr 29:20-22). This marked the definitive moment of celebration and dedication after the conclusion of David's great preparations.
• even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs: This signifies an extraordinary quantity of offerings. The number "thousand" (אֶ֤לֶף - elef) represents not merely a large sum, but a symbol of overflowing abundance, complete provision, national wealth, and profound joy. Bullocks (parim) were larger, more costly sacrifices; rams (elim) and lambs (kevasim) were more common, demonstrating comprehensive offerings from all available sacrificial animal types, showcasing lavish generosity.
• with their drink offerings: The Hebrew word is וּנְסָכֵיהֶם (u-n'sakheihêm), from נֶסֶךְ (nesech). These were liquid libations, typically wine, poured out as part of the sacrificial ritual. They symbolized completeness and a richer form of devotion accompanying the animal sacrifices, and sometimes represented the joyful outflow of worship or a covenant seal.
• and sacrifices in abundance: The phrase זְבָחִים לָרֹב (z'vakim larov) reinforces the immense quantity. Beyond the specified thousands of burnt offerings, there were many other types of zevakhim, possibly peace offerings (communion sacrifices) which allowed the worshippers to share in a communal meal before the LORD. This underscores the generosity and celebratory atmosphere.
• for all Israel: This phrase highlights the collective, national nature of this act of worship. It was a unified demonstration of faith and commitment from the entire congregation of Israel, not just specific leaders or tribes, demonstrating national unity and shared purpose under God and their new king.

1 Chronicles 29 21 Bonus section

• The scale of the offerings (thousands of animals) far exceeded what was legally mandated, signifying the profound willingness and exuberance of the people (see 1 Chr 29:9). It's a testament to the Spirit's working within the hearts of the givers, not compulsion.
• This extravagant worship directly followed "making Solomon king a second time" (1 Chr 29:22), reinforcing that their renewed allegiance to their earthly king was in submission to the ultimate King, Yahweh. Their political stability was intrinsically linked to their spiritual devotion.
• The offerings being "for all Israel" establishes a principle of corporate responsibility and blessing in worship. When the nation united in devotion, it invoked a broader divine blessing and reinforced their identity as God's chosen people.
• The offerings of animals were a shadow of the ultimate, single, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose self-offering once for all cleansed believers from sin and brought about true fellowship with God, making all other animal sacrifices obsolete.

1 Chronicles 29 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:21 powerfully encapsulates the height of communal worship in ancient Israel. This massive outpouring of sacrifice immediately followed the people's generous giving and Solomon's anointing, marking a climactic moment of joyful dedication and transfer of covenant leadership. The thousands of burnt offerings symbolized complete surrender and atonement for the nation, while the other sacrifices, likely peace offerings, spoke of fellowship and thanksgiving to God. The inclusion of drink offerings further amplified the richness and fullness of their worship. This event was not merely a ritual but a heartfelt, national expression of unity, gratitude, and devotion to the LORD, demonstrating Israel's recognition of God's supremacy and His faithfulness to His covenant promises through the transition of kingship from David to Solomon, establishing a spiritually rich foundation for the future Temple.