And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
1 CHRONICLES 17:21KJVWhat does 1 Chronicles 17:21 mean?
1 Chronicles 17:21 describes how unique the people of Israel are among all the nations on earth, because God personally acted to redeem them from Egypt, making them His own people and giving Himself a reputation for greatness and awe by driving out other nations before them. The verse highlights Israel’s special relationship with God, who intervened in history to save and set them apart.
In this verse, King David is speaking to God in prayer after receiving God’s promise about his descendants. David is reflecting on how God chose Israel out of all the nations (using the word for “nation” that often means a group of people or ethnicity) and performed mighty acts to rescue them from slavery in Egypt. The verse is part of David’s response of wonder and gratitude for God’s unique actions on behalf of Israel.
The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 17:21
- גּוֹי (goy, H1471): This word means “nation” or “people group.” Here, it emphasizes that Israel is unlike any other nation because of God’s direct involvement with them.
- פָּדָה (padah, H6299): This word means “to redeem” or “to rescue.” The verse uses it to describe God’s act of freeing Israel from Egypt, highlighting a personal and costly intervention.
- שֵׁם (shem, H8034): This word means “name,” but in this context, it refers to reputation or fame. God’s actions gave Him a name known for greatness and awe among the nations.
- גָּדְלָה (gadol, H1420) and יָרֵא (yare, H3372): These words mean “greatness” and “terribleness” (awe-inspiring fear), showing that God’s deeds were both impressive and caused reverence.
Why 1 Chronicles 17:21 matters
- The verse clears up any idea that Israel’s status was ordinary or accidental; it stresses that God’s choice and actions made Israel unique among all nations.
- The verse connects Israel’s identity directly to God’s saving acts, especially the Exodus, reminding readers that their history and relationship with God are rooted in redemption.
- In the wider passage, this verse is part of David’s humble response to God’s promises, showing that gratitude and awe are fitting responses to God’s faithfulness and power.