1 Chronicles 21:14 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell."
Sitting at the heart of the chapter, this verse is part of the central message. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret 1 Chronicles 21:14 inside the chapter flow.
1 Chronicles 21:12
either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days of the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and Yahweh"s angel destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.""
1 Chronicles 21:13
David said to Gad, "I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into Yahweh"s hand, for his mercies are very great. Don"t let me fall into man"s hand."
1 Chronicles 21:14
So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell.
1 Chronicles 21:15
God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough. Now withdraw your hand." Yahweh"s angel was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
1 Chronicles 21:16
David lifted up his eyes, and saw Yahweh"s angel standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem.
Meaning and Themes
1 Chronicles 21:14 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "pestilence" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after 1 Chronicles 21:14. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining 1 Chronicles 21:14 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read 1 Chronicles 21:14 — "So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell." — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read 1 Chronicles 21 in full. Mark where verse 14 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read 1 Chronicles 21:14 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did 1 Chronicles 21:14 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how 1 Chronicles 21:14 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn 1 Chronicles 21:14 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
Use this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
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When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does 1 Chronicles 21:14 mean?
1 Chronicles 21:14 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply 1 Chronicles 21:14 to my life today?
Start by reading 1 Chronicles 21:14 slowly: "So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell." Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is 1 Chronicles 21:14 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read 1 Chronicles 21:14 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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