1 Chronicles 29:21

KJV

And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, [even] a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, [and] a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they sacrificed {H2076} sacrifices {H2077} unto the LORD {H3068}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}, on the morrow {H4283} after that day {H3117}, even a thousand {H505} bullocks {H6499}, a thousand {H505} rams {H352}, and a thousand {H505} lambs {H3532}, with their drink offerings {H5262}, and sacrifices {H2077} in abundance {H7230} for all Israel {H3478}:

Complete Jewish Bible

On the following day they presented sacrifices to ADONAI and offered burnt offerings to ADONAI - a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings - and sacrifices in abundance for all Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

The next day they offered sacrifices and presented burnt offerings to the LORD: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

American Standard Version

And they sacrificed sacrifices unto Jehovah, and offered burnt-offerings unto Jehovah, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the public anointing of Solomon and David's magnificent prayer of praise, 1 Chronicles 29:21 records a monumental act of national worship. On the day after these pivotal events, the entire Israelite nation offered an extraordinary quantity of sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD, including thousands of animals, accompanied by drink offerings. This lavish display of devotion was a collective expression of profound gratitude, consecration, and unity, marking a joyful and abundant response to God's blessings and the anticipation of Solomon's reign and the building of the Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of David's reign, specifically in the final chapter of 1 Chronicles, which focuses on the preparations for the Temple and the transition of kingship to Solomon. Immediately preceding 1 Chronicles 29:21, David has delivered a powerful prayer of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings and the people's generous contributions for the Temple's construction (see [1 Chronicles 29:10-20](/1_chronicles/29-10 "1 Chronicles 29:10-20 - David's Prayer and the People's Response")). The people's enthusiastic and willing contributions (as described in [1 Chronicles 29:6-9](/1_chronicles/29-6 "1 Chronicles 29:6-9 - Generous Contributions for the Temple")) set the stage for this grand act of communal worship. Following this verse, the narrative details the great gladness and feasting that accompanied these sacrifices, culminating in Solomon's second anointing and the establishment of his reign (see [1 Chronicles 29:22-25](/1_chronicles/29-22 "1 Chronicles 29:22-25 - Solomon's Reign Established")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 29:21 serves as the spiritual high point of this transition, a corporate act of consecration before the new era.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Chronicles 29:21 take place during the transition from King David's reign to King Solomon's, a period of significant national prosperity and spiritual fervor in ancient Israel. The practice of offering sacrifices was central to Israelite worship, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. The "sacrifices" (זְבָחִים, _zevachim_) mentioned here often refer to peace offerings, which involved a portion being burned on the altar, a portion given to the priests, and the remainder eaten by the offerers in a communal meal, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God. "Burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, _olot_) were entirely consumed by fire, representing complete dedication and atonement. "Drink offerings" (נְסָכִים, _nesakim_), typically of wine, accompanied these animal sacrifices, signifying a complete and lavish act of devotion, as outlined in passages like [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Laws for Offerings"). The sheer scale of the offerings—thousands of animals—was culturally indicative of immense wealth, profound gratitude, and a national commitment to the covenant, often associated with major national events like coronations or covenant renewals.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Abundant Worship and Generosity**, demonstrating the nation's overwhelming gratitude and devotion to God, expressed through lavish giving from their prosperity. The extraordinary quantity of animals reflects a desire to give generously in response to divine blessing, echoing David's own declaration that "all things come from you, and of your own have we given you" ([1 Chronicles 29:14](/1_chronicles/29-14 "1 Chronicles 29:14 - David's Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty")). Secondly, the phrase "sacrifices in abundance for all Israel" emphasizes **National Unity and Consecration**. This was a unifying event, bringing the entire nation together in a shared act of worship and affirmation of Solomon's kingship, solidifying the transition of leadership under divine approval. Thirdly, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the context of "great gladness" mentioned immediately after ([1 Chronicles 29:22](/1_chronicles/29-22 "1 Chronicles 29:22 - The People's Great Gladness")) confirms that these offerings were made with immense **Joy and Thanksgiving** for God's blessings, David's successful reign, and the hopeful future under Solomon. Finally, these sacrifices were a tangible expression of Israel's commitment to their **Covenant Relationship** with God, particularly as they prepared for the construction of the Temple, which would serve as the central symbol of God's presence among His people and the focal point of their worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sacrifices (Hebrew, _zevachim'_):** This term (זְבָחִים) generally refers to "peace offerings" or "fellowship offerings." Unlike burnt offerings, portions of these sacrifices were returned to the offerers to be eaten, symbolizing a communal meal shared with God. They were typically offered in thanksgiving, for a vow, or as a freewill offering, signifying a state of peace and communion between God and His people. The abundance of these indicates a desire for deep fellowship and celebration of God's presence.
* **Burnt offerings (Hebrew, _olot'_):** The Hebrew word (עֹלוֹת) literally means "that which goes up" or "ascends," referring to an animal entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. These offerings symbolized complete dedication, consecration, and often atonement for sin. The inclusion of thousands of burnt offerings alongside peace offerings highlights the nation's desire for both intimate communion with God and a complete, unreserved dedication of themselves and their future to Him.
* **Drink offerings (Hebrew, _nesakim'_):** These (נְסָכִים) were libations, typically of wine, poured out as an accompaniment to animal sacrifices. They are mentioned in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Laws for Offerings")) and often signify a lavish, complete, and joyful act of devotion. Their presence here underscores the overflowing generosity and thoroughness of the people's worship, leaving no aspect of their devotion unexpressed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine recipient of the offerings and highlights the dual nature of the worship. The repetition of "unto the LORD" emphasizes that the entire act was directed towards God, not merely a human ceremony. The "sacrifices" (peace offerings) signify fellowship and communion, while "burnt offerings" represent complete dedication and atonement, indicating a comprehensive expression of their relationship with God.
* **"on the morrow after that day":** This phrase denotes immediacy and continuity. The offerings were made the very next day after Solomon's anointing and David's final public address and prayer. This quick response underscores the people's eagerness, unity, and the profound impact of the preceding events, demonstrating their immediate commitment to the new leadership and the covenant.
* **"[even] a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, [and] a thousand lambs":** This specifies the astounding quantity of animals offered. The sheer number—three thousand large sacrificial animals—is a hyperbolic expression of the immense scale of the worship. It signifies not only the nation's wealth and ability to give but, more importantly, their overwhelming gratitude, joy, and complete devotion. It was a national outpouring of worship unparalleled in its magnitude.
* **"with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel":** This concluding phrase further emphasizes the completeness and communal nature of the event. The inclusion of "drink offerings" indicates a full and lavish act of worship, leaving nothing back. The phrase "sacrifices in abundance for all Israel" underscores that this was a collective, national endeavor, involving the entire community in a unified act of worship and consecration. It speaks to the unity and shared spiritual fervor present among the people.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in 1 Chronicles 29:21 to convey the significance of this moment. **Hyperbole** is evident in the enumeration of "a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs." While it's unlikely to be a precise literal count, the repetition of "a thousand" emphasizes the extraordinary, overwhelming scale of the offerings, conveying a sense of boundless generosity and devotion rather than a mere numerical fact. This exaggeration serves to highlight the immense spiritual fervor and national wealth. **Repetition** is also used effectively with the phrase "unto the LORD," which appears twice in the first clause, underscoring the singular focus and divine recipient of all these offerings. This reinforces the theological point that all worship and giving are ultimately directed towards God. Furthermore, the various types of offerings—peace offerings, burnt offerings, and drink offerings—function as **Symbolism**, each representing different facets of the people's relationship with God: fellowship, complete dedication, and lavish devotion, respectively. Together, they form a comprehensive symbolic representation of the nation's spiritual state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This monumental act of sacrifice in 1 Chronicles 29:21 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of true worship and the appropriate response to divine blessing. It illustrates that genuine devotion is not merely ritualistic but flows from a heart of gratitude and generosity, expressed communally and with unreserved abundance. The sheer scale of the offerings signifies a people deeply committed to their covenant God, willing to give lavishly from their prosperity as an act of thanksgiving and consecration. This event also highlights the importance of corporate worship in fostering national unity and affirming leadership under God's sovereignty. It underscores the principle that God's people, when blessed, are called to respond with overflowing joy and dedication, recognizing that all they possess ultimately belongs to Him. This act of worship laid a spiritual foundation for the physical Temple, demonstrating that the people's hearts were prepared to receive God's presence.

* [Deuteronomy 12:6-7](/deuteronomy/12-6 "Deuteronomy 12:6-7 - Joyful Feasting Before the Lord"): This passage describes the joyful communal feasting on peace offerings before the Lord, aligning with the "sacrifices" (peace offerings) in 1 Chronicles 29:21 and the "great gladness" mentioned in the subsequent verse.
* [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Laws for Burnt Offerings"): Provides detailed instructions for the burnt offering, emphasizing its complete consumption and its role in making atonement, which helps to understand the significance of the "burnt offerings" in 1 Chronicles 29:21 as a symbol of complete dedication.
* [Exodus 24:5-8](/exodus/24-5 "Exodus 24:5-8 - Covenant Ratification with Sacrifices"): Describes the ratification of the Mosaic covenant through sacrifices and the sprinkling of blood, demonstrating how sacrifices were integral to covenant renewal and commitment, a theme implicitly present in 1 Chronicles 29:21 as Israel renewed its commitment under Solomon.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The extraordinary scene in 1 Chronicles 29:21 offers a powerful and enduring model for worship and devotion for believers today. It challenges us to consider the depth and sincerity of our own offerings to God, whether of our resources, time, or talents. The "abundance" of the sacrifices was not merely about quantity but about the spirit of unreserved generosity and joy that accompanied them. This reminds us that our worship should be an overflowing response to God's immense goodness and grace, given not out of obligation but out of a cheerful and grateful heart. Furthermore, the communal nature of this event, involving "all Israel," underscores the importance of corporate worship and unity within the body of Christ. Our individual acts of devotion are enriched and amplified when we gather as a community, offering our praise and resources together. This passage calls us to a life of complete consecration, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, and our highest privilege is to offer ourselves and our possessions back to Him in joyful service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sheer abundance of Israel's offerings in this verse challenge my understanding of generous giving and worship in my own life?**
* **In what ways can my personal and communal worship reflect the spirit of joy, unity, and complete dedication seen in 1 Chronicles 29:21?**
* **Considering that "all Israel" participated in this act of consecration, how can I contribute more effectively to the unity and shared devotion within my local faith community?**

### FAQ
**Why were so many animals sacrificed?**

Answer: The immense quantity of animals—"a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs"—was not merely for atonement, but primarily for profound thanksgiving, national consecration, and communal celebration. It symbolized the overwhelming gratitude of the Israelite nation for God's blessings, their immense wealth, and their complete devotion as they transitioned leadership to Solomon and prepared for the Temple. The sheer scale emphasized the magnitude of the event and the people's collective joy and commitment to the covenant with God.

**What is the significance of the different types of offerings mentioned?**

Answer: The verse mentions "sacrifices" (זְבָחִים, _zevachim_), "burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, _olot_), and "drink offerings" (נְסָכִים, _nesakim_). The "sacrifices" typically refer to peace offerings, which symbolized fellowship and communion with God, often culminating in a communal meal. "Burnt offerings" were entirely consumed by fire, representing complete dedication, consecration, and atonement for sin. "Drink offerings" were libations, usually of wine, accompanying the animal sacrifices, signifying a lavish and complete act of devotion. Together, these different types of offerings represent a multifaceted and comprehensive expression of the nation's worship, covering aspects of fellowship, dedication, and thanksgiving.

**How does this event relate to the building of the Temple?**

Answer: This event is a crucial spiritual prelude to the building of the Temple. The preceding verses (e.g., [1 Chronicles 29:6-9](/1_chronicles/29-6 "1 Chronicles 29:6-9 - Generous Contributions for the Temple")) describe the people's generous contributions of materials for the Temple's construction. This massive act of worship, consecration, and thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 29:21 served to spiritually prepare and unite the nation for God's dwelling among them. It established a foundation of devotion, unity, and covenant commitment, signifying that the people's hearts were ready for the sacred task of building the house of the LORD and for His presence to dwell within it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lavish and comprehensive sacrifices in 1 Chronicles 29:21, though pointing to Israel's devotion, ultimately foreshadow the singular, perfect, and infinitely abundant sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The thousands of animals offered, representing complete dedication and fellowship, pale in comparison to the one-time, all-sufficient offering of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated, Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a [single offering for sins for all time](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice"), perfecting those who are sanctified. The complete consumption of the burnt offerings finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's absolute obedience and surrender to the Father's will, even to death on a cross. The communal aspect of "all Israel" participating in these offerings prefigures the new covenant community, the Church, united in Christ's body, where believers are called to offer themselves as [living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices"). Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate "drink offering" poured out in love, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")), providing not just fellowship but eternal reconciliation and access to God for all who believe.

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

Ezra 6:17

And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

Numbers 15:7

And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third [part] of an hin of wine, [for] a sweet savour unto the LORD.

2 Chronicles 7:4

Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.

2 Chronicles 7:9

And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

Leviticus 23:13

And the meat offering thereof [shall be] two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof [shall be] of wine, the fourth [part] of an hin.

Numbers 15:10

And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, [for] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Numbers 15:5

And the fourth [part] of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.