1 Chronicles 21:21

KJV

And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with [his] face to the ground.

KJV (with Strong's)

And as David {H1732} came {H935} to Ornan {H771}, Ornan {H771} looked {H5027} and saw {H7200} David {H1732}, and went out {H3318} of the threshingfloor {H1637}, and bowed {H7812} himself to David {H1732} with his face {H639} to the ground {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David approached Ornan. When Ornan looked and saw David, he went out from the threshing-floor and prostrated himself before David with his face to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

David came to Ornan, and when Ornan looked out and saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed facedown before David.

American Standard Version

And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing-floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:21 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David's unauthorized census and the subsequent divine judgment. As David approaches the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, Ornan immediately recognizes the king and responds with profound respect and humility, prostrating himself with his face to the ground. This encounter sets the stage for David's act of obedience in building an altar and offering sacrifices, which would ultimately halt the devastating plague and consecrate a site destined to become the location of the future Temple in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader account of David's census, a sin initiated by Satan (or God's anger, depending on the parallel account in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2_samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - David's Census")) that brought a severe plague upon Israel ([1 Chronicles 21:14](/1_chronicles/21-14 "1 Chronicles 21:14 - The Plague on Israel")). The narrative reaches a turning point when the angel of the Lord, who was executing the judgment, stops at Ornan's threshingfloor. The prophet Gad then instructs David to go up and build an altar there to the Lord, to make atonement and avert further wrath ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). Ornan's immediate and humble response to David's presence underscores the gravity of the situation and David's authority, even in a moment of national crisis and repentance, setting the stage for the crucial act of sacrifice that follows.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Threshingfloors in ancient Israel were typically elevated, open-air areas, often on hilltops, where grain was separated from chaff by being trampled by oxen or beaten. These locations were common, practical, and sometimes served as public gathering places or sites for transactions. Ornan (also known as Araunah in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Altar")) is identified as a Jebusite, indicating that he was a descendant of the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David conquered the city. His presence and ownership of this significant plot of land are crucial. The act of "bowing himself... with his face to the ground" (prostration) was a common gesture of profound respect, submission, or even worship in the ancient Near East, reserved for kings, deities, or those of superior status. Ornan's immediate and unprompted prostration signifies his deep deference to King David and perhaps his awareness of the divine judgment unfolding.

* **Key Themes:** Several major themes converge in this verse. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Mercy**, as God's wrath is stayed at this specific location, signaling a shift from punishment to an opportunity for atonement. Secondly, **Obedience and Atonement** are central, as David's journey to the threshingfloor is a direct act of obedience to God's command through the prophet Gad, seeking to avert further wrath through sacrifice. Thirdly, the concept of **Sacred Space** is powerfully illustrated; a common agricultural threshingfloor is transformed into a holy site, chosen by God for an altar of atonement. This transformation is particularly significant as this very site would later become the location for [Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Location of Solomon's Temple"), underscoring its enduring sacredness. Finally, **Humility and Submission** are embodied in Ornan's immediate and profound reverence for David, acknowledging the king's authority and the solemnity of the divine purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ornan (Hebrew, `אׇרְנָן`, _’Ornān_):** This name refers to the Jebusite owner of the threshingfloor. His willingness to offer his property for the sacrifice is crucial to the narrative. The Chronicler's emphasis on Ornan, a non-Israelite, highlights God's sovereignty over all people and His ability to use anyone to accomplish His purposes, even in the context of Israel's national atonement.
* **threshingfloor (Hebrew, `גֹּרֶן`, _gōren_):** This term denotes a flat, open area, typically on elevated ground, used for separating grain from chaff. Beyond its agricultural function, the "threshingfloor" often carried symbolic weight in the Old Testament, sometimes associated with judgment (separating the good from the worthless) or, as here, a place of significant encounter and transaction. Its elevation made it a suitable place for an altar, visible and accessible.
* **bowed himself (Hebrew, `וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ`, _vayyištaḥû_ from the root `שָׁחָה`, _shachah_):** This verb signifies a deep gesture of respect, submission, or even worship, often involving full prostration where one's face touches the ground. Ornan's immediate and unprompted action demonstrates profound deference to King David's authority and perhaps an intuitive understanding of the solemnity and divine purpose behind the king's unexpected visit. It conveys a readiness to submit to the king's will and, by extension, to God's will operating through David.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as David came to Ornan":** This phrase emphasizes David's intentional and purposeful approach, acting in direct obedience to the divine command received through the prophet Gad to build an altar at this specific location. It marks the beginning of the process of national atonement.
* **"Ornan looked and saw David":** This indicates Ornan's immediate recognition of the king. The unexpected arrival of the monarch, especially in a time of national crisis (the plague), would have been highly unusual and immediately signaled a matter of great importance. Ornan's quick perception sets the stage for his subsequent actions.
* **"and went out of the threshingfloor":** Ornan's proactive movement to meet David demonstrates his respect and readiness to engage. He doesn't wait for David to enter his working space but steps out to greet him, a gesture of honor and hospitality towards a superior.
* **"and bowed himself to David with [his] face to the ground":** This is the ultimate expression of humility, reverence, and submission. Ornan's full prostration signifies his acknowledgment of David's supreme royal authority and the gravity of the moment, perhaps even an intuitive understanding of the divine hand at work in David's visit. It sets a tone of immediate cooperation and respect for the king's urgent mission.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident in the transformation of a common threshingfloor into a sacred site, which prophetically points to its future as the location of the Temple Mount, the central place of worship for Israel. **Symbolism** is also present: the threshingfloor itself, a place of separation (grain from chaff), becomes a symbol of judgment averted and atonement offered. Ornan's act of prostration is a powerful **symbol** of humility, submission, and reverence in the face of divine authority and human leadership, contrasting with David's prior act of pride in taking the census. The rapid sequence of Ornan's actions—looking, seeing, going out, and bowing—creates a sense of **immediacy** and **urgency**, highlighting the profound impact of David's presence and the gravity of the situation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This encounter between David and Ornan powerfully illustrates the principle of humble submission to divine authority, even when exercised through human instruments. Ornan's immediate prostration, a gesture of profound respect, demonstrates a readiness to yield personal property and plans for the greater purposes of God. This act of deference, coming from a Jebusite, underscores God's universal sovereignty and His ability to use anyone to accomplish His will. The transformation of a mundane threshingfloor into a holy site where atonement is made foreshadows God's redemptive work, turning places of ordinary life or even judgment into sanctuaries of mercy. This moment is a turning point, where human obedience and divine mercy converge to halt a devastating plague, emphasizing that true repentance and costly sacrifice are the pathways to reconciliation with God.

* [Genesis 18:2](/genesis/18-2 "Genesis 18:2 - Abraham Bows to Visitors")
* [Exodus 34:8](/exodus/34-8 "Exodus 34:8 - Moses Bows Before the Lord")
* [Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ornan's immediate and humble response to King David's arrival, even before David states his purpose, offers a profound lesson in spiritual readiness and submission. His willingness to prostrate himself and later offer his land and oxen for the sacrifice, without hesitation, reflects a heart attuned to the gravity of the moment and the authority of God's chosen leader. This challenges us to consider our own posture when confronted with God's directives or the needs of His kingdom. Are we quick to recognize divine authority, whether through scripture, spiritual leaders, or providential circumstances? Are we willing to yield our personal possessions, plans, or comfort for God's greater purposes, even when it involves personal cost, much like David's insistence on [paying for the sacrifice](/1_chronicles/21-24 "1 Chronicles 21:24 - David's Costly Sacrifice")? Ornan's example encourages a spirit of humility and generosity, reminding us that true worship often involves a costly surrender that facilitates God's redemptive work in our lives and in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Ornan's immediate and humble response challenge my own readiness to obey God's directives, especially when they involve personal sacrifice?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to yield personal possessions, plans, or comfort for God's greater purposes?**
* **What does Ornan's recognition of David's authority teach me about discerning and honoring God's chosen instruments today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Ornan at the threshingfloor when David arrived?**

Answer: Ornan was at his threshingfloor because it was his place of work. Threshingfloors were common agricultural sites where grain was processed. It was a practical and public location, and Ornan was likely engaged in or overseeing the daily operations of his farm when David, accompanied by his servants, approached. The fact that he was "out of the threshingfloor" when he saw David suggests he came out from the immediate working area to meet the king, indicating respect and readiness.

**What is the significance of Ornan being a Jebusite?**

Answer: The fact that Ornan was a Jebusite, a non-Israelite and a remnant of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem, is highly significant. It demonstrates God's sovereignty extending beyond the chosen people of Israel. God used a Gentile to facilitate a crucial act of atonement for Israel, on the very land that would become the site of His holy Temple. This foreshadows God's universal plan of salvation, which would eventually include all nations, as seen in the New Testament. It also highlights that the sacred space of the Temple was established on land acquired through a legitimate transaction with its original, non-Israelite owner, emphasizing justice and divine provision.

**How does this account relate to 2 Samuel 24?**

Answer: 1 Chronicles 21:21 is the Chronicler's parallel account to [2 Samuel 24:18](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18 - Gad's Instruction to David"). Both passages describe David's sin of taking a census, the subsequent plague, and the divine instruction to build an altar on the threshingfloor of Ornan (called Araunah in 2 Samuel). While there are minor differences in detail (e.g., the specific instigator of the census, the price of the land), the core narrative and theological message are consistent: God's judgment, David's repentance, the intercession through sacrifice, and the establishment of a sacred site that would become the Temple Mount. The Chronicler's account often emphasizes the Temple and the priesthood more explicitly, aligning with his overall theological agenda.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The encounter at Ornan's threshingfloor, culminating in David's purchase and sacrifice, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. The threshingfloor, a place of judgment where grain is separated from chaff, becomes a site of atonement, pointing to Christ as the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). David's costly sacrifice, insisted upon as something that "costs him something" ([1 Chronicles 21:24](/1_chronicles/21-24 "1 Chronicles 21:24 - David's Principle of Costly Sacrifice")), anticipates the infinitely greater and truly costly sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which alone provides perfect and eternal atonement for humanity's sin ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Ornan's humble prostration before David, recognizing his authority, mirrors the universal submission that will ultimately be rendered to Christ, before whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow to Christ")). Furthermore, the transformation of a common agricultural site into a holy place, the future Temple Mount, foreshadows how Christ's redemptive work sanctifies not just specific locations but makes believers themselves temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), bringing God's presence into the ordinary and making all of life sacred through His indwelling. The plague's cessation at this site, through sacrifice, points to Christ's victory over sin and death, ending the spiritual plague that afflicts humanity and offering eternal life to all who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and God's Gift")).

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

2 Samuel 24:18

¶ And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2 Samuel 24:20

And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

1 Samuel 25:23

And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,