And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.

1 CHRONICLES 21:23KJV
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1 Chronicles 21:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 21:23 mean?

1 Chronicles 21:23 shows Ornan offering King David everything needed for a sacrifice—his threshing floor, oxen, tools for wood, and wheat—freely and generously, without asking for payment. Ornan tells David to take it all and do what he thinks is right, showing complete willingness to help.

In this verse, Ornan (also called Araunah in other passages) is speaking to David during a crisis, when David needs a place to build an altar to stop a plague. Ornan’s response is remarkable because he offers not just the land, but also the animals and materials for the entire sacrifice, showing humility and generosity toward the king and God’s purpose.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 21:23

  • "Take" (לָקַח, laqach): This word means to take or receive. Ornan is not just permitting David to use the property; he is urging David to accept it as a gift, emphasizing his eagerness to help.
  • "Give" (נָתַן, natan): Ornan repeats this word, stressing that he is giving everything freely, not holding anything back. This highlights the completeness of his offer.
  • "Burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, olot): This term refers to sacrifices that are entirely burned, symbolizing total dedication to God. Ornan’s gift includes what is needed for this specific kind of offering, underlining the seriousness of the moment.
  • "Threshing instruments" (מוֹרֵג, moreg): These are the wooden tools used for threshing grain. By offering them for wood, Ornan is even willing to give up his means of livelihood for the sacrifice.

Why 1 Chronicles 21:23 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Ornan was reluctant or forced to give; instead, he is shown as eager and generous, which contrasts with how property might usually be taken by a king.
  • The verse emphasizes the completeness of Ornan’s offer—he gives not just the land, but every necessary part for the sacrifice, which shows deep respect for both David and God.
  • This moment sets up the importance of the site, which later becomes the location for Solomon’s temple, connecting Ornan’s generosity to a much larger story in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“instruments” Hebrew H4173 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 24:22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
  • Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

“Ornan” Hebrew H771 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

“wheat” Hebrew H2406 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • 1 Samuel 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
  • Psalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.