O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

1 CHRONICLES 29:18KJV
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1 Chronicles 29:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 29:18 mean?

In 1 Chronicles 29:18, David asks God to preserve the willing attitude his people have shown and to direct their hearts toward God. David’s prayer follows the people’s generous gifts for the temple that his son Solomon will build.

David addresses God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, linking the present people with their ancestors. The phrase “imagination of the thoughts of the heart” refers to what the people form and intend within themselves. David asks that their present willingness continue.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 29:18

  • “imagination” — יֵצֶר (yetser): This word can mean something formed or shaped. Here it describes the inward shaping of the people’s thoughts and intentions.
  • “heart” — לֵבָב (levav): In Hebrew, the heart can refer to a person’s inner life, including thought and intention. David’s words concern more than a passing feeling.
  • “prepare” — כּוּן (kun): This word can carry the sense of making something firm or directing it. David asks God to set the people’s hearts toward him.

Why 1 Chronicles 29:18 matters

  • The prayer looks beyond the gifts themselves to the attitude behind them. In verse 17, David speaks of the people offering willingly and with joy.
  • David asks for lasting direction, not merely a response on one occasion. His words “keep this for ever” point beyond the moment of giving.
  • The prayer concerns the people together. David speaks of “thy people” and “their heart,” addressing their shared response to God.

Where else these words appear

“imagination” Hebrew H3336 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Deuteronomy 31:21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
  • Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

“thoughts” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
  • Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

“Isaac” Hebrew H3327 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
  • Genesis 35:27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.