1 Chronicles 21:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Gad lays out the three options: famine, defeat by enemies, or plague from the LORD.
What Does 1 Chronicles 21:12 Mean?
The choices are spelled out in full: three years of famine, three months fleeing before enemies, or three days of pestilence by the sword of the Lord and His destroying angel. Gad asks David to decide what answer he should carry back.
Each path is grievous, yet they differ in one respect, whether the affliction comes by the hand of men or directly from God. The framing presses David to weigh not only the severity but the source. When every road is hard, the deepest question becomes not which spares us most, but into whose hands we are willing to fall.
1 Chronicles 21:12 in the Original Language
deber (דֶּבֶר), 'pestilence' -- a deadly plague sent as judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Chronicles 21:12
What does 1 Chronicles 21:12 mean?
Gad lays out the three options: famine, defeat by enemies, or plague from the LORD.