1 Chronicles 16:17

And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant,

And hath confirmed {H5975} the same to Jacob {H3290} for a law {H2706}, and to Israel {H3478} for an everlasting {H5769} covenant {H1285},

and established as a law for Ya'akov, for Isra'el as an everlasting covenant:

He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:17 is part of a psalm of thanksgiving sung by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to the covenant He established with the patriarchs, specifically highlighting its enduring and authoritative nature for the nation of Israel.

Context

This verse is extracted from a longer psalm (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) that David gave to Asaph and his brethren to sing before the Ark of the Covenant. The psalm itself is a compilation, drawing heavily from Psalm 105:1-15 and Psalm 96:1-13, along with a portion of Psalm 106. Verses 15-17 specifically echo Psalm 105:8-10, recounting God's remembrance of His covenant. This covenant was first made with Abraham, reaffirmed to Isaac, and then to Jacob (who was renamed Israel), promising land, descendants, and a unique relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The core message is God's absolute commitment to His promises. He "confirmed" His word, demonstrating His reliability and unchangeable character.
  • The Everlasting Covenant: The term "everlasting covenant" underscores the eternal and unbreakable nature of God's agreement with His chosen people. It signifies a perpetual and binding relationship.
  • Divine Decree and Law: Calling it a "law" for Jacob highlights its authoritative and established nature. It wasn't a suggestion but a divine decree, a fixed ordinance from God.
  • The Special Relationship with Israel: This verse reiterates God's specific election of Jacob and his descendants, Israel, as the recipients of His covenant blessings and promises, including the promise of the land of Canaan.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "law" here is choq (ื—ึนืง), which can mean a statute, an ordinance, a decree, or something prescribed. In this context, it signifies an established, unchangeable divine decree, rather than the Mosaic Law of commandments. It emphasizes the fixed and authoritative nature of God's promise. The phrase "everlasting covenant" uses b'rith 'olam (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช ืขื•ึนืœึธื), where b'rith is a solemn, binding agreement, and 'olam denotes eternity or a very long duration, reinforcing the perpetual and unbreakable nature of this divine pledge.

Practical Application

This verse provides profound assurance for believers today. God's faithfulness to His ancient covenant with Israel serves as a powerful testament to His character. If He was so steadfast in His promises then, we can trust Him equally with the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. It reminds us that God's plans are eternal, not subject to human failure or the passage of time. Our hope is rooted in an unchanging God who keeps every promise, offering security and peace in an ever-changing world. This faithfulness encourages us to live in obedience and trust, knowing that His word stands forever.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 35:11 (3 votes)

    And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

  • Genesis 35:12 (3 votes)

    And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

  • Jeremiah 11:2 (2 votes)

    Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

  • 2 Samuel 23:5 (2 votes)

    Although my house [be] not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all [things], and sure: for [this is] all my salvation, and all [my] desire, although he make [it] not to grow.

  • Hebrews 13:20 (2 votes)

    Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

  • Exodus 3:17 (2 votes)

    And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

  • Isaiah 55:3 (2 votes)

    Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.