1 Chronicles 16:18

Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

Saying {H559}, Unto thee will I give {H5414} the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, the lot {H2256} of your inheritance {H5159};

"To you I will give the land of Kena'an as your allotted heritage."

‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’

Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:18 (KJV): "Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;"

This verse is part of a psalm of thanksgiving given by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. It recounts God's historical faithfulness to Israel, focusing specifically on the divine promise concerning the land of Canaan.

Context

The psalm recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 is a compilation of verses found in Psalms 105, 96, and 106. It serves as a hymn of praise and remembrance, recounting God's mighty acts and covenant promises from the time of the patriarchs through the Exodus and settlement in Canaan. Verse 18 specifically quotes God's promise regarding the land, reminding Israel of the divine basis for their possession of it.

Key Themes

  • God's Promise: The verse highlights God's direct declaration ("Saying, Unto thee will I give...") as the source of Israel's claim to the land.
  • The Land of Canaan: This specific geographical region is identified as the promised territory.
  • Inheritance: The term "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah) signifies a possession received, particularly one passed down through lineage or granted as a gift. Here, it is a divine gift to the nation of Israel.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The inclusion of this promise in the psalm underscores God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lot of your inheritance" uses the Hebrew word goral (lot) and nachalah (inheritance). While "lot" sometimes refers to a method of division (like casting lots), here it signifies the *apportioned share* or *allotted portion* of their inheritance, emphasizing that Canaan was specifically designated for them by God.

Commentary and Application

This verse encapsulates a foundational promise of the Old Testament covenant. God, out of His sovereign will and grace, chose the descendants of Abraham and promised them a specific land. This promise was first made to Abraham himself and reiterated to subsequent generations. The psalm reminds Israel that their dwelling in Canaan was not by their own strength or conquest alone, but was a fulfillment of God's gracious word.

For believers today, while the promise of the physical land of Canaan was specific to Israel, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's promise-keeping nature. Just as God secured a physical inheritance for Israel, He has secured a spiritual inheritance for believers in Christ. This spiritual inheritance includes salvation, eternal life, and participation in the new creation, a theme explored in the New Testament (e.g., our inheritance in Christ Jesus).

Reflecting on 1 Chronicles 16:18 encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, both those made in the past and those yet to be fulfilled. It highlights the truth that God's gifts are secure and based on His unchangeable word.

Reflection

Consider how this verse demonstrates God's active involvement in the history of His people. How does knowing that God keeps His promises, even across centuries, strengthen your faith today regarding the promises He has made to you?

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 13:15 (5 votes)

    For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

  • Deuteronomy 32:8 (2 votes)

    When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

  • Genesis 28:13 (2 votes)

    And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

  • Genesis 28:14 (2 votes)

    And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  • Genesis 35:11 (2 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 (2 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.

  • Micah 2:5 (2 votes)

    Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.