1 Chronicles 21:18

Amharic Catholic Version (መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ - (ካቶሊካዊ እትም - ኤማሁስ)) No Year

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, an angel of the Lord tells Gad to instruct David to build an altar to the Lord at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. This is a command from God, delivered through the angel, to help David seek forgiveness and make amends for his sin.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your friend was feeling really sad because they made a big mistake. A nice angel comes and tells them to go to a special place and say sorry to God. That's what's happening here with David. He needs to build a special place to say sorry and thank God.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the 1 Chronicles, traditionally attributed to Ezra or a descendant of Levi. It was written around the 5th century BCE, aimed at the returning exiles to Jerusalem. The cultural context involves the importance of worship and atonement in the face of sin.

Living It Out Today

In today’s context, if someone makes a mistake, they can seek forgiveness by going to a place that holds spiritual significance for them, much like David went to Ornan’s threshing floor to build an altar.

Topics

forgivenessatonementaltarsinworshipangel

Related Verses

2 Samuel 24:181 Chronicles 21:282 Chronicles 3:1Psalm 51:16-17Luke 19:8

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an altar in the Bible?
An altar is a place where sacrifices are offered to God, symbolizing the worshipper's commitment and seeking forgiveness for sins.
Who was Ornan the Jebusite?
Ornan was a Jebusite who owned land in Jerusalem where David was commanded to build an altar to atone for his sin.
What mistake did David make?
David had taken a census of the Israelites, which was considered a sin, leading to God's wrath and the command for David to build an altar.
How does this verse relate to forgiveness?
The verse shows that through sincere repentance and the right actions, like building an altar, one can seek and receive forgiveness from God.
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