1 Chronicles 21:9
1 Chronicles 21:9 in Multiple Translations
And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer,
¶ And the LORD spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
Then the word of the Lord came to Gad, David's seer, saying,
The Lord told Gad, David's seer,
And the Lord spake vnto Gad Dauids Seer, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Gad, seer of David, saying:
The LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,
And the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,
And the Lord spoke to Gad the seer of David, saying:
Then Yahweh said to Gad, David’s prophet,
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 21:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 21:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
יְהוָה֙
אֶל
גָּ֔ד
חֹזֵ֥ה
דָוִ֖יד
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
גָּ֔ד
Gâd
H1410
Gad
N-proper
חֹזֵ֥ה
chôzeh
H2374
seer
N-ms
דָוִ֖יד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 21:9
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
גָּ֔ד
Gâd
H1410
"Gad"
N-proper
Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and the founder of the tribe of Gad, which was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was also the name of a prophet during David's time.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.5 § Gad = "troop" 1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher. 2) the tribe descended from Gad 3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Gad. See also: Genesis 30:11; Joshua 22:10; Jeremiah 49:1.
חֹזֵ֥ה
chôzeh
H2374
"seer"
N-ms
A seer or prophet, someone who receives visions from God, like those mentioned in 1 Samuel and Isaiah. This word is used to describe people with spiritual insight.
Definition: 1) seer 1a) seer 1b) vision
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: agreement, prophet, see that, seer, (star-) gazer. See also: 2 Samuel 24:11; 2 Chronicles 33:18; Isaiah 28:15.
דָוִ֖יד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 21:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judgment for David’s Sin
7This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel.
8Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
9And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer,
10“Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” 11So Gad went and said to David, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You must chooseCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 9:9 | (Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.) |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 24:11 | When David got up in the morning, a revelation from the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer: |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 29:29 | Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are indeed written in the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, the Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer, |
1 Chronicles 21:9 Summary
This verse shows how God communicated with King David through a prophet named Gad. God was about to give David a choice of punishments for his sin of taking a census, as seen in 1 Chronicles 21:1-8. It's a reminder that God is involved in our lives and wants us to make good choices, like He did with Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. By listening to God's instructions, we can avoid mistakes and follow His plan for our lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Gad and what was his role in the Bible?
Gad was a prophet and seer in the Bible, often serving as a messenger of God to King David, as seen in 1 Chronicles 21:9, and other instances like 1 Samuel 22:5 and 2 Samuel 24:11-14.
What does it mean for God to 'instruct' someone in the Bible?
When the Bible says God 'instructed' someone, like in 1 Chronicles 21:9, it means God gave them a direct command or message, similar to how God spoke to prophets like Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8-10 or Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:1-3:11.
Why did God use prophets like Gad to communicate with leaders like David?
God used prophets to communicate with leaders to guide them in making righteous decisions and to convey His will, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:15 and Numbers 12:6, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's word.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of David's life and reign?
This verse is part of the story of David's sin in taking a census, which is a significant event in his life, as seen in 1 Chronicles 21:1-8, and reflects the ongoing theme of God's mercy and justice, as discussed in Psalms like Psalm 51:1-19, which David wrote after this event.
Reflection Questions
- What role do you think God wants to play in guiding your decisions, and how can you be more open to His instruction like Gad was?
- How does knowing that God communicates through various means, including prophets and scripture, impact your daily walk with Him?
- In what ways can you apply the principle of seeking God's guidance before making significant decisions, as seen in David's experience?
- What does this verse teach about the importance of humility and acknowledging one's mistakes, as David did after his sin was pointed out?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 21:9
See Gill "1 Chronicles 21:1".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 21:9
And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, The Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:9
(9) And the Lord (Jehovah) spake unto Gad.—Samuel, “And David arose in the morning. Now a word of Jehovah had come to Gad the prophet, a seer of David, saying—“ This appears to be more original than our text. David’s seer.—Better, a seer of David’s, for the same title is applied to Heman (1 Chronicles 25:5). For Gad, see 1 Samuel 22:5, and 1 Chronicles 29:29. From the latter passage it has been inferred that it was Gad who wrote the original record of the census.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 21:9
9. And the Lord spake] The historian now retraces his steps to describe the circumstances which heralded the approach of the plague. Gad] He is three times mentioned in Chron., each time as a “seer,” viz. 1 Chronicles 21:9 (= 2 Samuel 24:11); 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 29:25. He was perhaps an older contemporary of Nathan, who bears the more modern title of “prophet” (cp. 1 Samuel 9:9).