1 Chronicles 21:16

Translations

Modern

When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

Traditional

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

Literal

And David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of YHWH standing between the earth and between the heavens, and his sword being drawn in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. And David fell, and the elders, covered in sackcloth, on their faces.

Latin

Levansque David oculos suos, vidit angelum Domini stantem inter cælum et terram, et evaginatum gladium in manu ejus, et versum contra Jerusalem: et ceciderunt tam ipse quam majores natu, vestiti ciliciis, proni in terram.

Original

Hebrew

English

When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

Notes

1 Chronicles 21:16–17

These verses describe the angel and David's response in more detail than the similar text in 2 Samuel 24:17. Seeing the angel on his mission moved David to plead for the people.

1 Chronicles 21:1–22:1

This account of the census is similar to 2 Samuel 24:1–25 but focuses on different aspects. The Chronicler’s version sets the stage for dedicating the altar and preparing to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22).

Theme notes and profiles

David God or Satan?

Related verses

Numbers 14:5
Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel.
1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.
Joshua 5:13–14
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”
2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Jonah 3:6–8
When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
Psalm 35:13–14
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
Genesis 3:24
So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life.
Numbers 22:31
Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.
Exodus 14:19–20
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them,
2 Kings 19:1
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.

Parallels

2 Samuel 24:15–17

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Araunah Chronicles, Books of First and Second David Gad (Person) Genealogy Moriah Zion

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To David, at the Threshing Floor of Araunah Angel (A Spirit): Execute Judgments Upon the Wicked Araunah: Also Called Ornan Government: Mosaic: Closely Associated with David Miracles: Catalogue of The Plague in Israel Nation: Involved in Sins of Rulers Ornan: A Jebusite Prayer: Postures in Falling on the Face Vision of David of the Angel of the Lord Beside the Threshing-Floor of Ornan

1 Chronicles 21:16

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?