2 Samuel 24:16

KJV

And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the angel {H4397} stretched out {H7971} his hand {H3027} upon Jerusalem {H3389} to destroy {H7843} it, the LORD {H3068} repented {H5162} him of the evil {H7451}, and said {H559} to the angel {H4397} that destroyed {H7843} the people {H5971}, It is enough {H7227}: stay {H7503} now thine hand {H3027}. And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} was by the threshingplace {H1637} of Araunah {H728} the Jebusite {H2983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when the angel stretched out his hand toward Yerushalayim to destroy it, ADONAI changed his mind about causing such distress and said to the angel destroying the people, "Enough! Now withdraw your hand."The angel of ADONAI was at the threshing-floor of Aravnah the Y'vusi.

Berean Standard Bible

But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

American Standard Version

And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Jehovah repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough; now stay thy hand. And the angel of Jehovah was by the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 24:16 marks the pivotal moment in David's unauthorized census narrative when the divine plague, unleashed upon Israel as a consequence of the king's sin, is dramatically halted. As the angel of the LORD stretches out its hand over Jerusalem, poised to unleash further destruction, the LORD's compassion overrides His judgment. He declares, "It is enough: stay now thine hand," demonstrating His sovereign control over wrath and His readiness to show mercy. This crucial intervention occurs at the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite, a location destined for profound spiritual significance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the narrative in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and the Plague"), which recounts King David's decision to conduct a census of Israel and Judah. This act, described as a sin in [2 Samuel 24:10](/2_samuel/24-10 "2 Samuel 24:10 - David's Heart Smote Him"), provoked the LORD's anger, leading to a severe plague upon the nation. David was presented with a choice of three punishments by the prophet Gad, as detailed in [2 Samuel 24:13](/2_samuel/24-13 "2 Samuel 24:13 - The Three Punishments"). David, acknowledging God's great mercies, chose to "fall into the hand of the LORD" rather than man, as recorded in [2 Samuel 24:14](/2_samuel/24-14 "2 Samuel 24:14 - David Chooses God's Hand"). The plague then swept through the land, claiming 70,000 lives. Verse 16 serves as the dramatic turning point where God's judgment, executed by a destroying angel, is mercifully brought to a halt, setting the stage for David's atonement and the establishment of a sacred site.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, a census was often undertaken for military conscription or taxation, implying a reliance on human strength and resources rather than divine provision and protection. David's census, though not explicitly condemned in its purpose, was considered a sin because it likely stemmed from pride, a desire to boast in numbers, or a lack of trust in God's ability to deliver victory. Plagues were commonly understood in the ancient Near East as divine judgments for sin, a direct manifestation of a deity's displeasure. Threshing floors, like that of Araunah, were common, open areas typically located on high ground outside city walls, used for separating grain from chaff. Their elevated position made them suitable for catching wind to aid in the winnowing process. The fact that the plague was halted at such a mundane yet elevated location, just outside Jerusalem, underscores God's sovereign intervention in the midst of everyday life and foreshadows the sacred significance it would soon acquire.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Mercy**. God's righteous anger against sin is evident in the devastating plague, demonstrating His justice and the serious consequences of disobedience. Yet, His profound mercy is equally on display as He limits the destruction, declaring "It is enough." Second, the **Angel of the LORD as an Agent of Divine Will** is prominent. This figure, often understood in the Old Testament as a special manifestation of God Himself or a direct divine messenger, is depicted as God's instrument for executing judgment. His actions cease only by direct command from the LORD, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death. Third, the **Significance of Location** is crucial. The "threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite" is not arbitrary. It becomes the site where David builds an altar and offers sacrifices to atone for the sin, as detailed in [2 Samuel 24:18-25](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18-25 - David Builds an Altar"). This very location later becomes the site for Solomon's Temple, Jerusalem's holiest place, as confirmed in [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple on Mount Moriah"). This transformation underscores that God's mercy often manifests at the very place where sin is acknowledged and sacrifice is made.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **repented (Hebrew, _nāḥam'_):** This word, when applied to God, does not imply regret, error, or a change of mind in the human sense of having made a mistake. Instead, it signifies a change in God's disposition or action concerning a previously declared or executed judgment. Here, it denotes God's compassionate turning from His wrath, a cessation of the destructive action, in response to David's repentance and the suffering of His people. It reflects His covenant faithfulness and His willingness to relent from calamity.
* **evil (Hebrew, _rāʿāh'_):** In this context, "evil" refers not to moral wickedness on God's part, but to the disaster, calamity, or destructive judgment that God brought upon the people. It is the "evil" of the plague, the devastating consequence of sin. God "repents" of this calamity by halting its progression, demonstrating His power to both inflict and cease judgment.
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _malʾaḵ YHWH'_):** This specific designation often refers to a unique divine messenger in the Old Testament, sometimes identified with God Himself (a theophany or Christophany). Here, this Angel is the direct agent of God's judgment, executing the plague. Its direct obedience to God's command to "stay now thine hand" underscores God's absolute authority over all His agents and over the forces of judgment and destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it":** This clause vividly portrays the immediate peril facing Jerusalem. The angel, previously active in the broader land, now specifically targets the capital, indicating the culmination of the judgment. The "stretched out his hand" signifies an active, imminent threat of destruction, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the direct, personal nature of the divine judgment.
* **"the LORD repented him of the evil":** This is the pivotal moment of divine intervention. God, observing the suffering and perhaps David's repentance, changes His course of action regarding the calamity. This "repenting" highlights God's compassion and His sovereign right to limit His own judgment, even when justly deserved. It signals a shift from wrath to mercy.
* **"and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand":** This is a direct, authoritative divine command. "It is enough" (רַב, _rav_) signifies a declaration of sufficiency, a definitive halt to the ongoing destruction. God's word alone is powerful enough to immediately cease the devastating plague, demonstrating His absolute control over the angel and the forces of judgment. This phrase encapsulates God's mercy setting a boundary to His wrath.
* **"And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite":** This final clause provides the precise geographical location where the divine intervention occurred. The angel's presence "by" or "at" this specific site marks it as the divinely appointed place for the cessation of the plague and, as subsequent verses reveal, the place of atonement and future worship. Its identity as a "threshingplace" (a place of separation and processing) and belonging to "Araunah the Jebusite" (a non-Israelite, yet one who would cooperate with David) adds layers of symbolic and historical significance.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "the LORD repented him of the evil," attributing a human-like emotion or change of mind to God. This conveys God's dynamic interaction with humanity and His responsiveness to His people's plight, without implying any imperfection or error in His divine nature. **Symbolism** is rich in the "threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite." A threshing floor, typically a place of separation (grain from chaff), here becomes a place where judgment is halted and mercy is extended, foreshadowing its transformation into a holy site for reconciliation. The angel's "stretched out his hand" is a visual **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the hand represents the angel's full destructive power and intent. The divine declaration, "**It is enough**," functions as a powerful **Divine Command**, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and the immediate efficacy of His spoken word to halt even the most severe judgments. This abrupt cessation of the plague also serves as dramatic **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the future significance of this very spot as the site of the Temple, the ultimate place of atonement and communion with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 24:16 profoundly illustrates the tension and ultimate harmony between God's justice and His boundless mercy. While David's sin justly provoked divine wrath, God's compassion ultimately prevailed, demonstrating His desire to limit destruction and provide a path to reconciliation. The immediate cessation of the plague at a specific location underscores the principle that God often designates a particular place or means for atonement and the manifestation of His grace. This narrative prefigures the broader biblical theme of intercession and the necessity of sacrifice to turn away divine judgment, setting the stage for the establishment of a permanent place of worship and atonement in Jerusalem.

* [Genesis 6:6](/genesis/6-6 "Genesis 6:6 - God's Grief Over Humanity's Wickedness")
* [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - The LORD Relents from Disaster")
* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Return to the LORD, for He is Gracious and Merciful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers profound reassurance of God's character: He is a God of both righteous judgment and infinite mercy. Even when our sins provoke His righteous anger, He sets limits to His wrath, always ready to extend compassion when there is repentance and a turning toward Him. The phrase "It is enough" echoes through the ages, reminding us that God's grace is sufficient to halt the consequences of our sin and that His desire is for reconciliation, not ultimate destruction. It calls us to acknowledge our own sin, to trust in His readiness to forgive, and to seek His mercy, knowing that He is faithful to respond. The halting of the plague at a specific, seemingly ordinary place that becomes holy also reminds us that God's redemptive work can transform any location or circumstance into a site of divine encounter and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage deepen your understanding of God's justice and mercy, particularly in their interplay?**
* **What does David's choice to "fall into the hand of the LORD" teach us about trusting God's character even in the face of deserved judgment?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge sin and seek God's compassionate "It is enough," trusting in His readiness to forgive?**
* **How does the significance of Araunah's threshing floor, transforming from an ordinary place to a holy site, encourage you about God's presence and redemptive work in seemingly mundane or unexpected circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Question?** Why did God "repent" if He is unchanging?

Answer: The concept of God "repenting" (Hebrew: _nāḥam_) is an anthropomorphism, attributing human-like language to divine actions to help us understand them. It does not mean God made a mistake or changed His mind in the sense of regret or error, as humans do. Instead, when applied to God, _nāḥam_ signifies a change in His disposition or a cessation of a previously declared or executed action, often in response to human repentance, intercession, or a shift in circumstances. In [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16 - The LORD Repents of the Evil"), God "repents of the evil" (the calamity/plague) by halting its progression, demonstrating His compassionate nature and His sovereign right to limit His own judgment. This aligns with other passages where God relents from disaster, such as in [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - The LORD Relents from Disaster") after Moses' intercession, or [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Return to the LORD, for He is Gracious and Merciful") where His character is described as gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, "relenting from disaster." It highlights His dynamic relationship with humanity and His responsiveness within the framework of His unchanging character and purposes.

**Question?** What is the significance of the "Angel of the LORD" in this narrative?

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" is a distinct and significant figure in the Old Testament, often understood as a special manifestation of God Himself (a theophany or Christophany) or a highly authoritative divine messenger. In [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16 - The LORD Repents of the Evil"), this Angel is depicted as the direct agent of God's judgment, executing the plague upon Israel. Its actions are precise and devastating, demonstrating its immense power and its direct obedience to the divine will. The fact that the Angel immediately ceases its destruction upon hearing God's command, "It is enough: stay now thine hand," underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all forces, including those of judgment. This figure highlights the reality of divine intervention in human affairs, both for judgment and for mercy, and points to God's active involvement in the world.

**Question?** How does Araunah's threshing floor become so important?

Answer: Araunah's threshing floor, initially a common agricultural site, gains immense spiritual significance due to the divine intervention that occurs there. It is the precise location where the Angel of the LORD is halted, marking the end of the plague. Immediately following this, God commands David to build an altar there ([2 Samuel 24:18](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18 - Gad's Command to David")), and David purchases the site from Araunah to offer sacrifices that atone for the nation's sin ([2 Samuel 24:19-25](/2_samuel/24-19 "2 Samuel 24:19-25 - David Buys the Threshing Floor and Offers Sacrifice")). This act of sacrifice at this specific place leads to God's favor and the lifting of the plague. Critically, [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple on Mount Moriah") explicitly states that Solomon later built the First Temple on this very spot, Mount Moriah, which was Araunah's threshing floor. Thus, an ordinary place of labor is consecrated by divine intervention and becomes the holiest site in Israel, the center of worship and the place where God's presence would dwell among His people. It symbolizes God's transformation of a place of judgment into a place of atonement and communion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene at Araunah's threshing floor in [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16 - The LORD Repents of the Evil") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine intervention and the cessation of God's wrath found in Jesus Christ. David's sin, which brought a plague of death upon Israel, mirrors humanity's universal sin, which brings the plague of spiritual death and separation from God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Just as the LORD "repented him of the evil" and declared "It is enough" at a specific location, so too did God's ultimate mercy manifest in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the perfect sacrifice, bearing the full weight of divine judgment on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). At Golgotha, the spiritual "threshing floor" where judgment was met, God's wrath against sin was fully satisfied, and His declaration of "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words on the Cross")) echoed the "It is enough" that halted the plague. Through Christ's atoning work, the destroying hand of judgment is stayed for all who believe ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God Demonstrates His Love Through Christ's Death")), and His ongoing intercession ensures that God's mercy continues to prevail ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). The threshing floor, destined to become the Temple Mount, points to Christ as the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, where reconciliation and eternal life are found ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")).

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

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 2:14

Who knoweth [if] he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; [even] a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Genesis 6:6

¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Exodus 12:23

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].

1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

2 Kings 19:35

¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.