1 Chronicles 21:27

KJV

And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} commanded {H559} the angel {H4397}; and he put up {H7725} his sword {H2719} again {H7725} into the sheath {H5084} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI gave an order to the angel, and he put his sword back in its sheath.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put his sword back into its sheath.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:27 marks the dramatic cessation of a devastating plague upon Israel, initiated by King David's sinful census. This pivotal verse describes the Lord's direct command to His angel, who had been executing divine judgment, to sheathe his sword. It signifies the immediate withdrawal of God's wrath, brought about by David's humble repentance and the atoning sacrifices offered on the threshing floor of Ornan, powerfully demonstrating God's sovereignty over judgment and His profound mercy in the face of contrite obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the intense narrative of divine judgment following King David's unauthorized census. The preceding verses detail the Lord's anger, the prophet Gad's presentation of three choices for punishment, and David's decision to fall into the hand of God rather than man. The plague ensues, claiming 70,000 lives, and the angel of the Lord is seen poised over Jerusalem, ready to destroy it. David, seeing the angel, intercedes passionately for his people, confessing his sin and pleading for mercy. God then instructs David through Gad to build an altar and offer sacrifices on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David obeys, purchasing the site at full price, and as he offers burnt offerings and peace offerings, fire descends from heaven, consuming the sacrifice. It is at this precise moment of divine acceptance and atonement that 1 Chronicles 21:27 declares the Lord's command for the angel to cease the destruction, bringing the immediate judgment to a halt.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of taking a census in ancient Israel, while sometimes commanded by God (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")), could also be an act of pride or a demonstration of reliance on human strength rather than divine provision. In this case, David's census, explicitly prompted by Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), was not divinely ordained and likely stemmed from a desire to boast in military might or to assess his kingdom's strength for secular purposes, rather than for God's glory. The concept of divine judgment through plague was a common understanding in the ancient Near East, often seen as a direct consequence of a ruler's or nation's sin. The threshing floor, a common agricultural site, was often located on high ground, making it a suitable place for an altar. The act of offering sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings (for atonement and dedication) and peace offerings (for fellowship and thanksgiving), was central to Israelite worship and a prescribed means of seeking God's favor and averting wrath, as seen in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and the Plague") is rich with several profound themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, showing God's absolute control over the affairs of humanity, including the administration of judgment for sin. Secondly, it highlights the critical theme of **Repentance and Atonement**. David's humble confession and immediate obedience in offering sacrifices are directly linked to the cessation of the plague, underscoring the efficacy of a contrite heart and the prescribed means of reconciliation with God. This foreshadows the ultimate atonement. Thirdly, the event emphasizes **God's Mercy and Compassion**, as He relents from full destruction even in the midst of severe judgment. The angel's sheathed sword symbolizes God's willingness to withdraw His wrath when His terms for reconciliation are met. Finally, the narrative establishes the **Significance of the Temple Site**, as the threshing floor of Ornan, where this pivotal act of atonement occurred, later becomes the sacred ground for Solomon's Temple ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Site of Solomon's Temple")). This makes the location a perpetual reminder of God's mercy and the power of atonement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _wayyaṣaw'_):** This verb emphasizes the direct, authoritative, and immediate nature of God's intervention. It is not a suggestion or a gradual process, but a definitive decree from the ultimate authority. The use of this strong verb highlights God's absolute control over the angel and, by extension, over the forces of judgment and destruction. It underscores that the plague ceased not by chance or by running its course, but by divine will.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _ḥerev'_):** In biblical literature, the sword is a potent symbol of divine judgment, wrath, and destruction. It represents the instrument by which God's justice is executed against sin. Its appearance in the hand of the angel of the Lord signifies the active, devastating power of God's anger. The imagery of the sword being drawn and then sheathed vividly portrays the initiation and cessation of divine punishment, making the angel a tangible agent of God's will.
* **Sheath (Hebrew, _nāḏān'_):** The sheath is the scabbard for a sword, a place of rest and containment. The act of the angel putting his sword back into its sheath is a powerful visual metaphor for the immediate and complete withdrawal of divine wrath. It signifies that the judgment is not merely paused, but definitively concluded, and God's anger has been appeased. The contrast between the drawn sword of destruction and its return to the sheath marks a dramatic shift from judgment to mercy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD commanded the angel;":** This initial clause establishes the divine initiative and sovereignty. The "LORD" (YHWH) is the active agent, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all creation, including His heavenly messengers. The command is direct and unequivocal, signifying that the cessation of the plague is not a natural occurrence or a response to human effort alone, but a direct act of God's will, prompted by David's repentance and atonement.
* **"and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.":** This clause describes the immediate and visible consequence of the Lord's command. The "he" refers to the angel of the Lord, who had been actively engaged in executing the plague. The action of "putting up his sword" into its "sheath" is a powerful symbolic act. It visually confirms the instant cessation of judgment and the withdrawal of divine wrath. The sword, as an instrument of destruction, being returned to its place of rest, signifies that the period of punishment is definitively over, and mercy has prevailed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "sword" representing divine judgment and wrath, and the "sheath" symbolizing the cessation of that judgment and the restoration of peace. The angel's action of sheathing the sword is a vivid **Metaphor** for God's anger being appeased and His punishment being withdrawn. The narrative also utilizes **Anthropomorphism** in depicting the "LORD" as one who "commands," attributing human-like action (giving orders) to God, making His intervention relatable and understandable. The concise, declarative statement creates a sense of **Dramatic Climax**, marking the turning point in a narrative of intense suffering and fear. The immediate nature of the angel's obedience underscores God's absolute control and the efficacy of the atonement offered.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a profound testament to God's character, revealing His justice in judgment and His mercy in repentance. It underscores the Old Testament principle that sin incurs divine wrath, but also that God is willing to relent when His people humble themselves and seek atonement according to His prescribed ways. The immediate cessation of the plague upon the Lord's command demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over life and death, judgment and mercy. It highlights that true peace and the end of divine chastisement come not from human effort or the passage of time, but from God's direct intervention in response to faithful obedience and sacrificial offering.

* [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16 - Parallel Account of the Plague's Cessation")
* [Exodus 12:23](/exodus/12-23 "Exodus 12:23 - The Destroying Angel in Egypt")
* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Heal the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 21:27 offers enduring lessons for believers, reminding us of the gravity of sin and the profound grace of God. It teaches us that even when facing the dire consequences of our disobedience, God's character is marked by compassion and a willingness to relent when we turn to Him in genuine repentance. David's immediate and costly obedience in building the altar and offering sacrifices was not merely a ritual but an act of profound humility and faith, which God honored. This narrative encourages us to respond to our own failings not with despair or evasion, but with swift confession, humble submission to God's will, and a trusting reliance on His provision for atonement. Just as the angel's sword was sheathed, we are assured that God has the power to bring an end to our suffering and restore peace when we align ourselves with His redemptive purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate and costly obedience in this narrative challenge my own willingness to obey God, especially when it requires sacrifice or humility?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own strength or resources rather than trusting in God's provision, similar to David's census?**
* **How does the imagery of the sheathed sword offer hope and comfort in times of personal or collective suffering, reminding me of God's ultimate control and mercy?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the importance of repentance and atonement in restoring my relationship with God when I have sinned?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's census considered a sin worthy of such severe judgment?**

Answer: While censuses were sometimes commanded by God (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")), David's census in 1 Chronicles 21:1 is explicitly stated to have been prompted by "Satan" and was not divinely ordained. The sin likely lay in David's motivation: it was an act of pride, a display of reliance on his own military strength and numbers rather than on God's power and provision. It suggested a lack of faith in God as the true source of Israel's security and prosperity. Furthermore, it may have been conducted without the proper ritual atonement (Exodus 30:12), which was required when numbering the people to avert a plague. This act, therefore, represented a departure from trusting God and an embrace of human self-sufficiency, incurring divine displeasure.

**What is the significance of the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite?**

Answer: The threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite holds immense theological and historical significance. It was the specific site where God commanded David to build an altar and offer sacrifices to stop the plague. This act of atonement, performed on this very ground, led to the immediate cessation of God's judgment. Crucially, this same location later became the site for the construction of the First Temple by King Solomon ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Site of Solomon's Temple")). Thus, the place where God's wrath was averted through sacrifice became the permanent dwelling place of God's presence among His people, serving as a perpetual reminder of divine mercy, the power of atonement, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:27, with its vivid imagery of the angel sheathing the sword of judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate cessation of divine wrath achieved through Jesus Christ. David's sin brought a plague, and the judgment was stayed only through a costly sacrifice on a specific altar. This points directly to the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, whose perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross became the ultimate atonement for the sins of humanity. Just as the fire consumed David's offering as a sign of acceptance, so too was Christ's sacrifice accepted by God, leading to the withdrawal of the sword of judgment against all who believe. In Christ, the wrath of God against sin is fully appeased, and those who are "in Christ Jesus" are declared to have "no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). He is our great High Priest, who "always lives to intercede" for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession")), just as David interceded for his people. The sheathed sword in 1 Chronicles 21:27 is a beautiful Old Testament picture of the peace and reconciliation offered to us through the shed blood of our Savior, who has "made peace by the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through Christ's Blood")), ensuring that God's judgment is forever turned away from those who are found in Him.

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

Psalms 103:20

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Jeremiah 47:6

O thou sword of the LORD, how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

1 Chronicles 21:12

Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh [thee]; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

1 Chronicles 21:20

And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.

Ezekiel 21:30

Shall I cause [it] to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.

1 Chronicles 21:15

And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 Chronicles 21:16

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders [of Israel, who were] clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.