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.

1 CHRONICLES 29:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 29:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 29:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 29:11 declares that everything in heaven and earth belongs to the LORD, who alone possesses greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. The verse recognizes the LORD as the supreme ruler whose kingdom and authority are above all, and who is exalted as head over everything.

King David speaks these words in front of the gathered people of Israel as part of a public prayer, after the nation has given generously for building the temple. David’s words emphasize that all honor and authority ultimately come from the LORD, not from human effort or kingship. This verse sets the tone for humble worship, reminding everyone that God is the true source of all things.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 29:11

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting a direct and covenant relationship with Israel.
  • "Greatness" (גְּדֻלָּה, gedullah): This word points to God’s unmatched magnitude and importance, stressing that no one else compares to Him in status or being.
  • "Victory" (נֵצַח, netzach): This word can mean endurance or everlastingness, but here it highlights God’s triumph and enduring success, not just a single win.
  • "Majesty" (הוֹד, hod): This term refers to splendor or royal dignity, underlining the LORD’s kingly presence and honor.

Why 1 Chronicles 29:11 matters

  • This verse corrects any idea that human leaders or nations have ultimate control; it centers all greatness and authority in God alone.
  • By listing greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty, David’s prayer highlights the fullness of God’s character, not just one aspect.
  • The verse connects to the larger context of giving for the temple, showing that generosity and worship flow from recognizing God’s ownership of everything.

Where else these words appear

“exalted” Hebrew H4984 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Kings 1:5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

“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 17:21 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?
  • 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?

“majesty” Hebrew H1935 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 27:20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
  • Psalms 21:5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
  • Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

“victory” Hebrew H5331 · used in 42 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
  • Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
  • Isaiah 13:20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.