Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 CHRONICLES 21:18KJV
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1 Chronicles 21:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 21:18 mean?

1 Chronicles 21:18 describes how the angel of the LORD instructed the prophet Gad to tell King David to go to the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite and build an altar to the LORD there. This command sets up the next steps David must take in response to a crisis affecting Israel.

The verse takes place after David has sinned by ordering a census, leading to a plague as punishment. The angel (a messenger from God) gives directions through Gad, a prophet who serves as God’s spokesman to David. The threshing floor of Ornan is named as the specific place where David is to build the altar, which will become significant in the story that follows.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 21:18

  • "angel" (מַלְאָךְ, mal’akh): This word means "messenger," and here it refers to a supernatural being carrying out God’s instructions. The angel is the one delivering God’s command, showing the seriousness of the message.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the command comes directly from the God of Israel, not just any deity.
  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This refers to a structure for offering sacrifices. The instruction to build an altar signals that worship and atonement are needed at this specific spot.
  • "threshingfloor" (גֹּרֶן, goren): A threshing floor is a flat area used for separating grain. Naming Ornan’s threshing floor as the location is important, as this site will later become the location of the temple in Jerusalem.

Why 1 Chronicles 21:18 matters

  • The verse marks a turning point in the story, as God provides a way for David and Israel to respond to the crisis through sacrifice and worship, rather than continued judgment.
  • The specific mention of Ornan the Jebusite’s threshing floor introduces a location that will have lasting significance, as it becomes the future site of Solomon’s temple.
  • The involvement of the angel and the prophet Gad highlights the seriousness of the situation and the importance of following God’s instructions exactly, not acting on personal initiative.