1 Chronicles 29:16

KJV

O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name [cometh] of thine hand, and [is] all thine own.

KJV (with Strong's)

O LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, all this store {H1995} that we have prepared {H3559} to build {H1129} thee an house {H1004} for thine holy {H6944} name {H8034} cometh of thine hand {H3027}, and is all thine own.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI our God, all these supplies that we have prepared in order to build you a house for your holy name come from your own hand, all of it is already yours.

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy Name, and all of it belongs to You.

American Standard Version

O Jehovah our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name cometh of thy hand, and is all thine own.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 29:16, a central declaration within King David's profound prayer of thanksgiving, articulates the fundamental theological truth that all material wealth and resources, meticulously prepared by humanity for divine purposes, ultimately originate from God's sovereign hand and remain His exclusive possession. This verse, offered in the wake of Israel's unprecedented generosity toward the construction of the Temple, serves as a humble acknowledgment of divine ownership and an exemplary model of stewardship, redirecting all praise, glory, and claims of possession back to the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within King David's magnificent public prayer, recorded in [1 Chronicles 29](/1_chronicles/29 "1 Chronicles 29 - David's Prayer and the People's Generosity"), which serves as the climax of an extraordinary outpouring of voluntary contributions from the leaders and people of Israel for the future construction of the Temple. David, though forbidden by God to build the Temple himself due to his history as a man of war ([1 Chronicles 22:8](/1_chronicles/22-8 "1 Chronicles 22:8 - David is forbidden to build the Temple")), had diligently prepared vast resources for the project. His prayer, particularly this verse, shifts the entire focus from human effort and generosity to God's ultimate provision and ownership. It functions as a theological capstone, ensuring that the glory for this monumental national undertaking is rightly ascribed to God alone, establishing a vital precedent for all future acts of worship and service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, monumental building projects, especially temples, were common, often serving to glorify the king or the nation. Kings typically amassed wealth through conquest or taxation, claiming it as their own. David's prayer, however, radically redefines the source of Israel's immense riches. Rather than attributing their prosperity to his own power, military victories, or the nation's might, David unequivocally declares that everything originates from Yahweh. This public acknowledgment would have profoundly impacted a culture where divine favor was often linked to material prosperity, emphasizing that such prosperity was a gift to be stewarded, not an earned right or a basis for human pride. The Temple itself was to be the central sanctuary, a permanent dwelling place for God's holy name, signifying His abiding presence among His people and serving as the focal point of their worship and national identity.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme powerfully articulated by [1 Chronicles 29:16](/1_chronicles/29-16 "1 Chronicles 29:16 - God's Ownership of All") is God's absolute **sovereignty and ownership** over all creation and all resources. This verse asserts that human wealth is not self-generated but divinely bestowed, reinforcing the crucial biblical concept of **stewardship**—that humanity is entrusted with managing God's possessions, rather than owning them outright. It highlights the indispensable importance of **gratitude and humility** in worship, preventing human pride in accomplishment and rightly directing all praise and glory to God. Furthermore, the verse implicitly underscores the principle of **purposeful giving**, as the "store" was prepared specifically "to build thee an house for thine holy name," demonstrating that true generosity is most meaningful when directed toward God's purposes and for His glory, echoing the universal truth found in [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"), "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Store (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This term (H1995) signifies a "noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth; abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult." In this context, it specifically refers to the vast accumulation of wealth, treasure, and abundant resources—gold, silver, precious stones, and other materials—that David and the people had gathered for the Temple's construction. The use of "store" emphasizes not merely raw materials but the immense value and sheer quantity of the prepared resources, highlighting the magnitude of the people's contribution, which is immediately and humbly reattributed to God as its ultimate source.
* **Prepared (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** This verb (H3559) means "to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)." It encompasses actions such as "to make preparation," "provide," or "make ready." Here, it acknowledges the diligent human effort and intentionality involved in gathering and organizing the vast resources for the Temple. Despite the immense human labor and planning, the verse immediately qualifies this effort by stating that the very means to prepare came from God, underscoring divine enablement as foundational to human endeavor.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word (H3027), in distinction from _kaph_ (the closed hand), refers to "the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)." It is used in a great variety of literal and figurative applications, including "power," "means," "dominion," and even idiomatically, "thine own." In the phrase "cometh of thine hand," "hand" serves as a powerful metonymy for God's active power, provision, and agency. It signifies divine origin and ultimate source, conveying that God is not merely a passive recipient of human gifts but the active provider of the very means by which those gifts are made possible. This emphasizes God's active involvement in human affairs and His role as the ultimate benefactor and possessor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name":** David commences with a direct and intimate address to God, acknowledging both His covenant relationship with Israel ("our God") and His supreme, covenantal authority ("LORD," Yahweh). The subsequent phrase, "all this store that we have prepared," humbly recognizes the immense human effort, diligent planning, and extraordinary generosity involved in gathering the vast materials. Crucially, this preparation was not for human glory or self-aggrandizement but "to build thee an house for thine holy name," explicitly stating the sacred and God-centered purpose of their giving – the glorification of God through the Temple, which would serve as a central place of worship and the manifest presence of His character and authority.
* **"[cometh] of thine hand":** This pivotal clause immediately reorients the source of the "store" from human effort to divine provision. Despite the human act of preparation, the ability to acquire, possess, and even conceive of such wealth is attributed directly to God's power and active provision. It signifies that God is the ultimate giver of all resources, and human effort is merely the stewardship of what He has first supplied. This highlights divine enablement as the prerequisite for any genuine human generosity or accomplishment.
* **"and [is] all thine own":** This is a powerful, conclusive declaration of God's absolute and undeniable ownership. It unequivocally states that not only did the resources originate from God, but they perpetually remain His. This truth underpins all principles of biblical stewardship, asserting that human beings are merely temporary managers of God's eternal possessions. This emphatic declaration serves to humble the givers, prevent any human boasting, and elevate God as the supreme possessor and sovereign over all things, leaving no room for human pretense of self-sufficiency or independent wealth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Doxology** is fundamentally evident in David's prayer, as it is an expansive expression of praise and glory directed solely to God, acknowledging His attributes, actions, and supreme sovereignty. The phrase "cometh of thine hand" is a clear example of **metonymy**, where "hand" stands in for God's power, agency, and provision, signifying His active involvement and ultimate source. This also functions as a subtle **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (having a hand) to God to make His divine action more relatable and comprehensible to a human audience. The repetition of the idea of divine ownership, first implied by "cometh of thine hand" and then explicitly stated with "and is all thine own," creates a powerful **emphasis** on God's absolute sovereignty and ownership. This emphatic declaration serves a profound **rhetorical** purpose, aiming to instill humility, gratitude, and a proper theological perspective in the hearts of the people and leaders, ensuring that all glory is rightly returned to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the foundational biblical principle of divine ownership and human stewardship, a cornerstone of Old Testament theology that resonates throughout the entirety of Scripture. It challenges any notion of self-sufficiency or independent wealth, consistently redirecting the focus to God as the ultimate source of all good things. This truth is not merely about material possessions but extends to life itself, talents, time, and every blessing, all of which are gracious gifts from the Creator to be managed for His glory. It establishes a paradigm where human generosity is not an act of giving *from* one's own, but an act of returning *to* the One who first provided.

* [Psalm 50:10-12](/psalm/50-10-12 "Psalm 50:10-12 - God Owns the Cattle on a Thousand Hills")
* [Haggai 2:8](/haggai/2-8 "Haggai 2:8 - The Silver is Mine, and the Gold is Mine")
* [Romans 11:36](/romans/11-36 "Romans 11:36 - For From Him and Through Him and To Him Are All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 29:16 offers a timeless and transformative perspective on our relationship with material possessions and, indeed, with all aspects of our lives. It compels us to shift from a mindset of absolute ownership to one of faithful stewardship, recognizing that everything we possess—our talents, time, finances, relationships, and even our very breath—are gracious gifts from God, entrusted to our care. This profound understanding liberates us from the burdens of covetousness, anxiety, and the relentless pursuit of more, fostering instead a spirit of deep gratitude and radical generosity. When we truly grasp the truth that "it is all thine own," our giving becomes less about obligation or duty and more about joyful worship, an act of returning a small portion of what God has already so lavishly provided. This perspective cultivates genuine humility, preventing pride in our accomplishments and rightly directing all praise and glory back to the One who is the ultimate source of all blessings. It calls us to live lives of faithful management, using God's resources for His purposes, whether in our personal finances, our professional endeavors, our care for creation, or our service to the church and the wider community, always seeking to honor Him with what He has entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's ultimate ownership of all things change your perspective on your personal possessions and resources, and what practical implications does this have for your daily life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life (e.g., time, talents, finances, relationships) can you cultivate a deeper sense of faithful stewardship rather than personal ownership?**
* **How might a clearer understanding of 1 Chronicles 29:16 impact your approach to generosity and giving within your family, community, or church?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live out the truth that everything you have "cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own," demonstrating your gratitude and trust in God's provision?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, particularly verse 16, for understanding biblical giving?**

Answer: David's prayer, culminating in [1 Chronicles 29:16](/1_chronicles/29-16 "1 Chronicles 29:16 - God's Ownership of All"), is profoundly significant for understanding biblical giving because it establishes the foundational principle that all resources ultimately belong to God. It directly refutes the idea that our possessions are solely the result of our own efforts, ingenuity, or hard work. Instead, David humbly acknowledges that even the vast "store" prepared for the Temple came "of thine hand," meaning it was God who provided the means, the ability, and the wealth in the first place. Therefore, when the people gave so generously, they were not giving *from* their own independent wealth, but rather returning a portion of what was already God's. This transforms giving from a mere transaction or burdensome obligation into a joyful act of worship, profound gratitude, and a recognition of God's supreme sovereignty. It underscores that human beings are stewards, not owners, of God's abundant provision, and our giving is a cheerful, worshipful response to His prior and lavish generosity, as echoed in [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 2:9 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 29:16 speaks powerfully of God's ownership over physical wealth and material resources, its profound truth finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's sovereign ownership and the supreme expression of His divine provision. All things were created through Him and for Him ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ")), affirming that indeed, "all this store...cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own" in and through the Son. Christ, who was infinitely rich in His divine nature, yet for our sakes became poor, so that we through His poverty might become spiritually rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Generosity")), demonstrated the ultimate act of divine generosity. He gave not merely material wealth but His very life as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "store" of spiritual blessings, including salvation, forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and eternal life, comes entirely "of thine hand" through Christ's finished work on the cross. Therefore, our response of worship and "giving" to God is now primarily a spiritual offering of ourselves, our lives, and our profound gratitude, in recognition that we are "bought with a price" ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - You Were Bought With a Price")), and thus, by virtue of His redemptive work, we are "all thine own" in Christ.

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 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

1 Chronicles 29:14

But who [am] I, and what [is] my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things [come] of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Luke 19:16

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

Hosea 2:8

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal.

2 Chronicles 31:10

And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left [is] this great store.