1 Chronicles 21:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then the angel of ADONAI ordered Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to ADONAI on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

American Standard Version:

Then the angel of Jehovah commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and rear an altar unto Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then the angel^{H4397} of the LORD^{H3068} commanded^{H559} Gad^{H1410} to say^{H559} to David^{H1732}, that David^{H1732} should go up^{H5927}, and set up^{H6965} an altar^{H4196} unto the LORD^{H3068} in the threshingfloor^{H1637} of Ornan^{H771} the Jebusite^{H2983}.

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Commentary for 1 Chronicles 21:18

1 Chronicles 21:18 is set within the context of a significant event in the life of King David. The broader narrative describes how David sinned against God by conducting a census of Israel, which was seen as an act of pride and reliance on military strength rather than on God's provision. This action displeased the Lord, and as a result, a severe plague was sent upon Israel as divine punishment.

In the verse at hand, the angel of the Lord, who is a theophanic figure representing God's presence, commands the prophet Gad to deliver a message to David. The message is clear: David is to ascend to the threshing floor of Ornan (also known as Araunah) the Jebusite and there erect an altar to the Lord. This act is intended to be one of repentance and sacrifice, a tangible expression of David's contrition for his sin.

The threshing floor of Ornan is significant because it is the location where, according to 2 Chronicles 3:1, the future Temple of Solomon would be built. This site, therefore, becomes a place of atonement and a focal point for Israel's worship. By obeying the command to build an altar, David is taking the first step towards making amends for his error and restoring his relationship with God. This event underscores themes of divine judgment, repentance, and the importance of seeking God's forgiveness through acts of worship and sacrifice as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. It also prefigures the permanent place of worship that would later be established in Jerusalem.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1410
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּד
   Transliteration: Gâd
   Pronunciation: gawd
   Description: from גּוּד; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet; Gad.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
8. Strong's Number: H4196
   There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
   Transliteration: mizbêach
   Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
   Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1637
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֹּרֶן
   Transliteration: gôren
   Pronunciation: go'-ren
   Description: from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area; (barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place.
   
10. Strong's Number: H771
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אׇרְנָן
    Transliteration: ʼOrnân
    Pronunciation: or-nawn'
    Description: probably from אֹרֶן; strong; Ornan, a Jebusite; Ornan. See אֲרַוְנָה.
    
11. Strong's Number: H2983
    There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְבוּסִי
    Transliteration: Yᵉbûwçîy
    Pronunciation: yeb-oo-see'
    Description: xlit Yebûwçîy corrected to Yᵉbûwçîy; patrial from יְבוּס; a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus; Jebusite(-s).