1 Chronicles 21:7
1 Chronicles 21:7 in Multiple Translations
This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel.
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
And God was not pleased with this thing; so he sent punishment on Israel.
The Lord considered the census a bad thing to do and he punished Israel for it.
And God was displeased with this thing: therefore he smote Israel.
And it is evil in the eyes of God concerning this thing, and He smiteth Israel,
God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel.
And God was displeased with this thing, therefore he smote Israel.
And God was displeased with this thing that was commanded: and he struck Israel.
David’s command to count the people caused God to become angry, so he told David that he had decided to punish the people of Israel.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 21:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 21:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֨רַע֙
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
עַל
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
וַ/יַּ֖ךְ
אֶת
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
וַ/יֵּ֨רַע֙
râʻaʻ
H7489
be evil
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
וַ/יַּ֖ךְ
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 21:7
וַ/יֵּ֨רַע֙
râʻaʻ
H7489
"be evil"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
וַ/יַּ֖ךְ
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 21:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Chronicles 21:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 21:7
- Sermons on 1 Chronicles 21:7
Context — Judgment for David’s Sin
5And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.
6But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.
7This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel.
8Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 9And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 15:5 | For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. |
| 2 | Joshua 7:5 | And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 21:14 | And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 11:27 | And when the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 24:1 | Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 21:14 | So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. |
| 7 | Joshua 7:13 | Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 21:1 | During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” |
| 9 | Joshua 7:1 | The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. |
| 10 | Joshua 22:16–26 | “This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says: ‘What is this breach of faith you have committed today against the God of Israel by turning away from the LORD and building for yourselves an altar, that you might rebel against the LORD this day? Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD. And now, would you turn away from the LORD? If you rebel today against the LORD, tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel. If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God. Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’” Then the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the clans of Israel: “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today. If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable. But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD. That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices. |
1 Chronicles 21:7 Summary
This verse, 1 Chronicles 21:7, tells us that God was not pleased with King David's decision to count the people of Israel, and as a result, He punished the nation. This happened because King David's command was driven by pride and a lack of trust in God, which is similar to the warnings against pride in Proverbs 16:18. We can learn from this that our actions have consequences, and it's essential to trust in God's power and provision, rather than our own strength or abilities, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. By studying this verse, we can understand the importance of humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereignty, as expressed in Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God strike Israel in 1 Chronicles 21:7?
According to the verse, God struck Israel because the command to take a census, as given by King David, was evil in His sight, similar to how God views pride and self-reliance in Proverbs 16:5. This act of disobedience had consequences, as seen in the subsequent punishment of Israel.
What was wrong with King David's command to take a census?
The command was detestable to Joab, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 21:6, implying that it went against God's will, possibly because it was driven by pride or a lack of trust in God, similar to the warnings against trusting in numbers in Deuteronomy 17:16. This act of disobedience ultimately led to God's judgment on Israel.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and its consequences?
This verse illustrates the biblical principle that sin has consequences, as seen in Romans 6:23, where it states that the wages of sin is death. In this case, the sin of King David and the nation of Israel resulted in God's judgment, serving as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands, as emphasized in 1 Samuel 15:22-23.
What can we learn from God's response to King David's actions in this verse?
We can learn that God is a holy and just God who takes sin seriously, as stated in Isaiah 59:1-2, and that our actions have consequences, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. This verse also highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and repentance, as demonstrated by King David in 1 Chronicles 21:8, and the need to trust in God's sovereignty, as expressed in Psalm 37:3-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be trusting in my own strength or numbers, rather than in God's power and provision, and how can I apply the lesson from 1 Chronicles 21:7 to my life?
- How can I cultivate a heart of humility and trust in God, rather than relying on my own abilities or resources, as warned against in 1 Corinthians 10:12?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be disobedient to God's commands, and what steps can I take to repent and seek forgiveness, as seen in 1 John 1:9?
- How can I balance the need for planning and preparation with the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What can I learn from King David's example in this verse about the importance of acknowledging and confessing sin, and how can I apply this to my own life, as encouraged in Psalm 51:1-17?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 21:7
See Gill "1 Chronicles 21:1".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 21:7
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
God was displeased with this thing; because this was done without any colour of necessity, and out of mere curiosity, and ostentation, and carnal confidence, as David’ s own conscience told him, which therefore smote him, as it is related, . Therefore he smote Israel; which is particularly related in the following verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
1 Chronicles 21:7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.Ver. 7. And God was displeased.] Pride flieth in the face of God, when other sinners fly from him; and creature confidence robbeth him of his jewel: hence he so hateth them.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:7
(7-13) The Divine wrath, declared by Gad the seer.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 21:7
7. he smote Israel] with the plague. David’s confession (1 Chronicles 21:8) was probably wrung from him by the appearance of the pestilence.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 21:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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"I Will Not Offer Unto the Lord That Which Cost Me Nothing" by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of sacrifice in our relationship with God, using the story of David and the threshing floor of Ornan as a backdrop. He highlights that |
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Rizpah — Communion by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Risba, the daughter of Aya, who spread sackcloth on a rock and protected the bones of Saul's sons from birds and beasts until r |
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David as He Avenges the Gibionites by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the story of David and the famine that occurred during his reign. David seeks the face of Jehovah and discovers that the famine is a re |
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Victory Over Your Besetting Sin by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the destructive power of secret sin in the lives of Christians, which leads to cowardice and defeat. He illustrates this through the story of King David, |
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(2 Samuel) the Sweet Psalmist and the Mighty Men by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a short psalm written by David towards the end of his life. The psalm contains wisdom and lessons from David's life. The speaker admires David |
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A Misplaced Confidence by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp discusses the theme of misplaced confidence in the life of King David, who, despite his long reign, succumbed to pride by numbering the people of Israel to gauge milit |
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David's Mistake in Numbering Israel by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of being prepared as a Christian to share the message of Jesus Christ with others. He encourages believers to know and |