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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Chronicles 27:23 David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/27-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/13_1Ch_27_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 27:23 - The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-22.htm" title="1 Chronicles 27:22">◄</a> 1 Chronicles 27:23 <a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm" title="1 Chronicles 27:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/27.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/27.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When David took his census, he did not count those who were younger than twenty years of age, because the LORD had promised to make the Israelites as numerous as the stars in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the LORD had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But David did not take up a count of those twenty years of age and under, because Yahweh had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, for the LORD had said he would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David didn’t count the men aged twenty or under, for the LORD had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David didn&#8217t count the men aged 20 or under, for the LORD had said He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When David decided to count the people of Israel, he gave orders not to count anyone under 20 years of age, because the LORD had promised long ago that Israel would have as many people as there are stars in the sky. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David didn't count those under 20 years old, because the LORD had promised that the people of Israel would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />King David did not take a census of the people who were under the age of twenty, because of the LORD's promise to make the people of Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David did not complete a census of those younger than 20 years of age, since the LORD had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But David did not take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />But David has not taken up their number from a son of twenty years and under, for YHWH had said [He would] multiply Israel as the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David hath not taken up their number from a son of twenty years and under, for Jehovah said to multiply Israel as the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David lifted not up their number, from the son of twenty years and beneath: for Jehovah said to multiply Israel as the stars of the heavens.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But David would not number them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said that he would multiply Israel like the stars of heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But David was not willing to number them from twenty years old and under. For the Lord had said that he would multiply Israel like the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />David did not count those who were twenty years of age or younger, for the LORD had promised to multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But David did not number those twenty years old and under because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David did not take the number of them, from a son of twenty years and under, because LORD JEHOVAH said that he would multiply Israel as the stars that are in Heaven.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under; because the LORD had said He would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But David took not their number from twenty years old and under: because the Lord said that he would multiply Israel as the stars of the heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=7690" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/27.htm">The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wîḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nā·śā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">count</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: mis·pā·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: lə·mib·ben (Prep-l, Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">aged</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">twenty</a> <a href="/hebrew/4295.htm" title="4295: ū·lə·māṭ·ṭāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: Adv) -- From avar with directive enclitic appended; downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes.">or under,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">had said that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">He would make Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: lə·har·bō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">as numerous</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3556.htm" title="3556: kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê (Prep-k:: N-mpc) -- A star. Probably from the same as Kabbown or kavah; a star; figuratively, a prince.">as the stars</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of the sky.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a></span><br />And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a></span><br />I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-12.htm">Genesis 32:12</a></span><br />But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7</a></span><br />but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37</a></span><br />The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-46.htm">Numbers 1:46</a></span><br />And all those counted totaled 603,550.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/2-32.htm">Numbers 2:32</a></span><br />These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. The total of those counted in the camps, by their divisions, was 603,550.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-1.htm">Numbers 26:1-4</a></span><br />After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, / “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.” / So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Deuteronomy 1:10</a></span><br />The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-22.htm">Deuteronomy 10:22</a></span><br />Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-62.htm">Deuteronomy 28:62</a></span><br />You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left few in number, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-1.htm">2 Samuel 24:1-2</a></span><br />Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” / So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-10.htm">2 Samuel 24:10</a></span><br />After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/147-4.htm">Psalm 147:4</a></span><br />He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm">Isaiah 10:22</a></span><br />Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.</p><p class="hdg">from twenty</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Numbers 1:18</a></b></br> And they assembled all the congregation together on the first <i>day</i> of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.</p><p class="hdg">he would increase</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a></b></br> And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12</a></b></br> Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, <i>so many</i> as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/23-25.htm">Age</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-30.htm">Below</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-17.htm">Count</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-18.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-5.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-9.htm">Less</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-27.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-17.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/17-26.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-15.htm">Twenty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/28-7.htm">Age</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-3.htm">Below</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm">Count</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-11.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-27.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">Less</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-23.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-9.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-15.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-26.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-5.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-10.htm">Twenty</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-1.htm">The twelve captains for each month</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-16.htm">The princes of the twelve tribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">The numbering of the people is hindered</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-25.htm">David's several officers</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This reflects the cultural and historical context where young men were not considered part of the military force. David's decision not to count those under twenty aligns with the practice of counting only those eligible for military service, as seen in <a href="/numbers/1-3.htm">Numbers 1:3</a>. This also demonstrates David's adherence to divine instructions, as counting the people without God's command was seen as an act of pride or lack of trust in God's provision.<p><b>because the LORD had said</b><br>This phrase underscores the importance of divine command and guidance in the actions of Israel's leaders. It reflects the theocratic nature of Israel, where God's word was the ultimate authority. The reference to God's word indicates that David's actions were in response to a specific divine directive, emphasizing obedience to God's promises and commands. This obedience is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where blessings and curses are contingent upon adherence to God's word.<p><b>that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky</b><br>This promise echoes the covenant God made with Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> and reiterated to Isaac and Jacob. It signifies not only a promise of numerical growth but also a spiritual and covenantal relationship with God. The imagery of stars suggests an innumerable and divinely blessed nation, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises. This promise is prophetic, pointing to the future expansion and spiritual significance of Israel, ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles into the spiritual Israel, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The second king of Israel, known for his heart for God and leadership. In this context, he is organizing the military and administrative divisions of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob. Here, it is the focus of God's promise of growth and blessing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who made promises to the patriarchs about the growth and prosperity of their descendants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/promise_of_multiplication.htm">Promise of Multiplication</a></b><br>Refers to God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>David's decision not to count the young men reflects his faith in God's promise. We are called to trust in God's promises, even when we cannot see their fulfillment immediately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty and Timing</a></b><br>The fulfillment of God's promises is in His timing. We must learn to wait on the Lord and trust His perfect plan for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_self-reliance.htm">Avoiding Self-Reliance</a></b><br>By not counting the young men, David avoids relying on human strength and numbers. We should also avoid placing our trust in worldly measures of success and instead rely on God's provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_faithfulness.htm">Generational Faithfulness</a></b><br>The promise to make Israel numerous was not just for David's time but for future generations. We should live in a way that honors God's promises for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_record_a_partial_count_in_1_chron_27.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 27:23–24 mention divine wrath for numbering, yet still record a partial count of fighting men? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_chron_27's_census_align.htm">How does 1 Chronicles 27's census reconcile with other conflicting census figures in the Bible (e.g., 2 Samuel 24)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_rhetorical_criticism.htm">Who was Uriah the Hittite in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_king_hiram_honor_israel's_god.htm">In 2 Chronicles 2:11-12, why does Tyrian King Hiram express devotion to Israel's God when no independent Tyrian records verify such reverence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">But David took</span> (<a href="/numbers/3-40.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.">Numbers 3:40</a>, <span class= "ital">n?s?'mispar</span>) <span class= "bld">not the number of them.</span>--This and the next verse contain concluding remarks on the two lists communicated in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/27-1.htm" title="Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.">1Chronicles 27:1-22</a>. The heading of the chapter professes that the "sons of Israel, <span class= "ital">according to their number</span>," is the subject in hand. This appended note limits that statement to those who were above "twenty years old," that is, to those who were of the military age. The reference is undoubtedly to the census, of which 1 Chronicles 21 gave the account; and it is evident that one of the main objects of that census was the military and political organisation here so scantily and obscurely described.<p><span class= "bld">Because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.</span>--The reason why David restricted the census to those who were capable of bearing arms (see <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm" title="And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and he said to him, So shall your seed be.">Genesis 15:5</a>; <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm" title="That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;">Genesis 22:17</a>). The idea implied seems to be that to attempt to number Israel would be to evince a distrust of Jehovah's faithfulness; and, perhaps, that such an attempt could not possibly succeed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - The contents of this and the following verse may be supposed to be suggested by the distinct reference to the matter of number in the first verse of the chapter, and in the latter halves of the following fourteen verses, contrasting with the utter absence of any allusion to the same matter, when the whole body of the <span class="accented">tribes and their princes</span> are the subject, in vers. 16-22. The deeper significance of the latter part of this verse probably comes to this; that God had already given his people the proudest name for their numbers, in saying that they should be <span class="accented">numberless</span>, <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>like to the stars of the heavens</span>, and perpetually on the increase. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָוִיד֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·wîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">count</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשָׂ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(nā·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִבֶּ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mib·ben)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">aged</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">twenty</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twenty, twentieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or under,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְמָ֑טָּה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·māṭ·ṭāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4295.htm">Strong's 4295: </a> </span><span class="str2">Downward, below, beneath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֚י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had said that</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He would make Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as numerous</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַרְבּ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lə·har·bō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as the stars</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3556.htm">Strong's 3556: </a> </span><span class="str2">A star, a prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sky.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 27:23 But David didn't take the number (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 27:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 27:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 27:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 27:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>