1 Chronicles 16:16

KJV

[Even of the covenant] which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

KJV (with Strong's)

Even of the covenant which he made {H3772} with Abraham {H85}, and of his oath {H7621} unto Isaac {H3327};

Complete Jewish Bible

the covenant he made with Avraham; the oath he swore to Yitz'chak

Berean Standard Bible

the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.

American Standard Version

The covenantwhich he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:16 is a profound declaration embedded within King David's psalm of thanksgiving, recited during the momentous occasion of the Ark of the Covenant's arrival in Jerusalem. This verse, identical to Psalm 105:9, serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness, specifically highlighting the eternal and unconditional covenant He established with Abraham and solemnly confirmed with Isaac. It underscores the foundational nature of these divine promises, which serve as the bedrock of Israel's identity, hope, and understanding of God's enduring commitment to His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a grand psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) that King David delivered to the assembled congregation when the Ark of the Covenant was successfully brought into Jerusalem and placed in the tent he had prepared for it. The psalm itself is a historical recounting of God's mighty deeds and covenant faithfulness to Israel, urging the people to "remember his marvelous works" [1 Chronicles 16:12](/1_chronicles/16-12 "1 Chronicles 16:12 - Remember God's Works"). Verses 14-22 specifically emphasize God's covenant with the patriarchs, serving as the historical and theological foundation for Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh. The verbatim repetition of this verse in [Psalm 105:9](/psalm/105-9 "Psalm 105:9 - God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob") further highlights its theological importance and enduring significance within Israel's worship and historical memory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the newly established capital of Jerusalem, during the reign of King David, a period of significant national consolidation and religious centralization for Israel. The transfer of the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem was a pivotal event, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people and legitimizing Jerusalem as the spiritual and political heart of the nation. In the ancient Near East, covenants were common, but God's covenant with Abraham stood apart due to its unilateral, unconditional nature, initiated and guaranteed by God Himself. An "oath" in this context was the most solemn form of promise, often involving a self-malediction, making God's sworn word to Isaac an unbreakable guarantee of the covenant's continuation, transcending human fallibility and ensuring divine integrity.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Divine Covenant Fidelity**, emphasizing God's absolute commitment to His promises. This verse highlights that God's word is not fleeting but is upheld with divine integrity across generations, forming the very basis of Israel's existence and future hope. Closely related is the theme of **Election and Identity**, as Israel's unique status as God's chosen people is rooted in this foundational covenant with Abraham and Isaac, reiterated in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:6-8](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6-8 - Israel, a Holy People"). Furthermore, the psalm, including this verse, underscores the theme of **Worship and Remembrance**, calling the people to recall God's mighty acts and covenant promises as a basis for their praise and trust. This historical recollection serves as a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness in the past provides assurance for His faithfulness in the present and future, a truth echoed in [Psalm 77:11](/psalm/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering God's Deeds").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bĕrît'_):** This term signifies a solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by a superior party (God) and involving specific promises and obligations. In the context of Abraham, it refers to a unilateral, unconditional promise from God, establishing a special relationship and guaranteeing land, numerous descendants, and universal blessing [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham"). It is not a mere contract but a divinely established relationship that defines Israel's identity and destiny.
* **Oath (Hebrew, _shĕbûʿâ'_):** An "oath" is a sworn promise, often accompanied by an appeal to a higher power (in this case, God Himself) as a guarantor. The addition of "oath" to "covenant" intensifies the commitment, indicating an irrevocable and absolutely guaranteed promise. God's oath to Isaac [Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "Genesis 26:3 - God's Promise to Isaac") underscores the unchangeable nature of His word, demonstrating that His promises are not subject to human failure but are upheld by His own character and integrity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Even of the covenant] which he made with Abraham":** This phrase directly references the foundational Abrahamic Covenant, first detailed in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abraham") and further developed in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abram") and [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"). It highlights God's sovereign initiative in establishing a relationship with Abraham, promising him a great nation, a land, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. This covenant is presented as an enduring, unconditional commitment from God, forming the bedrock of Israel's identity and future.
* **"and of his oath unto Isaac":** This clause emphasizes the continuation and confirmation of the Abrahamic covenant through Abraham's son, Isaac. As recorded in [Genesis 26:3-5](/genesis/26-3 "Genesis 26:3-5 - God's Promise to Isaac Confirmed"), God explicitly reaffirms the promises made to Abraham to Isaac, stating that He would be with him, bless him, and multiply his descendants. The mention of an "oath" underscores the absolute certainty and irrevocability of this divine promise, demonstrating that God's faithfulness extends across generations and that His word is utterly reliable.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, as this verse is a direct quotation from [Psalm 105:9](/psalm/105-9 "Psalm 105:9 - God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"), emphasizing its critical theological importance and ensuring its memorability within Israel's collective consciousness and worship. The pairing of "covenant" and "oath" creates a powerful **Emphasis** through **Synonymy** or **Intensification**, reinforcing the unbreakable and utterly reliable nature of God's promises. While "covenant" denotes the agreement, "oath" underscores the divine guarantee of its fulfillment, leaving no doubt about God's commitment. Furthermore, the verse functions as a profound **Historical Allusion**, drawing the audience's attention back to the foundational narratives of their patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac, thereby grounding Israel's present identity and future hope in God's past faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:16 profoundly articulates the unchanging nature of God and the enduring reliability of His divine promises. It serves as a theological anchor, reminding Israel, and by extension, all believers, that God's character is one of unwavering faithfulness. The covenant with Abraham and its confirmation through an oath to Isaac established not merely a historical lineage but a theological precedent: God is true to His word, and His plans will come to fruition regardless of human circumstances or failures. This divine fidelity forms the very basis of Israel's hope for the future and their understanding of their unique relationship with Yahweh. It teaches that God's commitment is not conditional on human performance but on His own righteous character, providing a powerful assurance that transcends generations and historical epochs.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham and the Covenant Promises")
* [Genesis 26:3-5](/genesis/26-3 "Genesis 26:3-5 - God Reaffirms the Covenant to Isaac")
* [Psalm 89:34](/psalm/89-34 "Psalm 89:34 - God's Covenant Will Not Be Broken")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth embedded in 1 Chronicles 16:16—that God remembers and upholds His covenant and oath across generations—offers immense comfort and a solid foundation for faith in our contemporary lives. Just as God was faithful to Abraham and Isaac, securing their future and the destiny of a nation through His unbreakable word, so too is He faithful to His promises to us. This verse encourages us to look back at God's historical faithfulness as a powerful testament to His character, providing a basis for present trust and future hope. In a world characterized by shifting sands of promises and broken commitments, God's unchanging nature stands as an immovable rock. We are invited to rest in the assurance that whatever God has promised, He will surely bring to pass, whether it pertains to our personal salvation, His provision, or His ultimate plan for redemption. This should inspire a deeper confidence in prayer, a steadfastness in trials, and a joyful anticipation of His future work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac strengthen your trust in His promises for your life today?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to rely more fully on God's unchanging character and His sworn word?**
* **How does the enduring nature of God's covenant with Abraham and Isaac inform your understanding of His commitment to the church and His ultimate plan for humanity?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse repeated in Psalm 105?**

Answer: The repetition of 1 Chronicles 16:16 in [Psalm 105:9](/psalm/105-9 "Psalm 105:9 - God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob") serves to emphasize its profound significance and theological weight. In ancient literature, repetition was a common rhetorical device used to highlight key truths, ensure memorability, and underscore the foundational nature of a statement. For Israel, God's covenant with Abraham and His oath to Isaac were not just historical facts but the very bedrock of their identity, their claim to the land, and their hope for the future. By including it in both a historical narrative (1 Chronicles) and a psalm of praise (Psalm 105), the inspired authors ensured that this truth would be continually recalled and celebrated in both their national history and their worship. It reinforces the message of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness across all contexts of Israel's life.

**What is the significance of "oath" in addition to "covenant"?**

Answer: The inclusion of "oath" alongside "covenant" is significant because it intensifies the commitment and irrevocability of God's promise. A "covenant" (Hebrew: *bĕrît'*) is a solemn, binding agreement, but an "oath" (Hebrew: *shĕbûʿâ'*) is a sworn promise, often involving a divine self-curse or an appeal to God's own character as the guarantor. When God makes an oath, as He did to Isaac in [Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "Genesis 26:3 - God's Promise to Isaac Confirmed"), it means He is binding Himself by His very nature and integrity. It underscores that the promise is absolutely certain, unchangeable, and will be fulfilled regardless of human circumstances or failures. It leaves no room for doubt regarding the divine commitment, providing the strongest possible assurance of God's faithfulness to His word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The covenant made with Abraham and the oath sworn to Isaac, as highlighted in 1 Chronicles 16:16, find their ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promises of a numerous "seed" and a universal "blessing to all nations" [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Promise of Blessing to All Nations") are realized in Him. As the apostle Paul explains in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham and His Seed"), the "seed" to whom the promises were made is Christ Himself. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus became the means by which the blessing of Abraham—salvation by faith—is extended to all, Jew and Gentile alike [Galatians 3:8-9](/galatians/3-8 "Galatians 3:8-9 - The Gospel Preached to Abraham"). The new covenant, inaugurated by Jesus' blood [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Jesus' Blood"), is the superior and eternal fulfillment of the spirit of the old, securing a spiritual inheritance and an everlasting relationship with God for all who believe [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant"). Thus, God's unwavering faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac points directly to His ultimate faithfulness in sending His Son, who perfectly embodies and fulfills every divine promise, offering an eternal hope far surpassing the temporal promises of old.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Genesis 17:2

And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Genesis 28:13

And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Genesis 28:14

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,