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 17:21KJV
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1 Chronicles 17:21 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“greatness” Hebrew H1420 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
  • Esther 10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

“out” Hebrew H1644 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • Leviticus 21:7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
  • 1 Kings 2:27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

“redeem” Hebrew H6299 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
  • Deuteronomy 24:18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
  • Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.