1 Chronicles 17:21
New International Version
And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?

New Living Translation
What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way.

English Standard Version
And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?

Berean Standard Bible
And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt.

King James Bible
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

New King James Version
And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?

New American Standard Bible
And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for You a name by great and awesome things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt?

NASB 1995
“And what one nation in the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make You a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?

NASB 1977
“And what one nation in the earth is like Thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make Thee a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before Thy people, whom Thou didst redeem out of Egypt?

Legacy Standard Bible
And what one nation in the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make You a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?

Amplified Bible
And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make a name for Yourself by great and awesome and terrible things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?

Christian Standard Bible
And who is like your people Israel? God, you came to one nation on earth to redeem a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself through great and awesome works by driving out nations before your people you redeemed from Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And who is like Your people Israel? God, You came to one nation on earth to redeem a people for Yourself, to make a name for Yourself through great and awesome works by driving out nations before Your people You redeemed from Egypt.

American Standard Version
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem unto himself for a people, to make thee a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou redeemedest out of Egypt?

Contemporary English Version
And there is no other nation on earth like Israel, the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so that your people could live here.

English Revised Version
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem unto himself for a people, to make thee a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before thy people, which thou redeemedst out of Egypt?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Who is like your people Israel? It is the one nation on earth that God came to free in order to make its people his own, to make your name known, and to do great and wonderful things for them. You forced the nations and their gods out of the way of your people, whom you freed from Egypt.

Good News Translation
There is no other nation on earth like Israel, whom you rescued from slavery to make them your own people. The great and wonderful things you did for them spread your fame throughout the world. You rescued your people from Egypt and drove out other nations as your people advanced.

International Standard Version
What other one nation on the earth is like your people Israel, God, which you have redeemed from slavery to become your own people, making a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You did awesome miraculous deeds, driving out nations that stood in their way.

Majority Standard Bible
And who is like Your people Israel?the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt.

NET Bible
And who is like your people, Israel, a unique nation in the earth? Their God went to claim a nation for himself! You made a name for yourself by doing great and awesome deeds when you drove out nations before your people whom you had delivered from the Egyptian empire and its gods.

New Heart English Bible
And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem to be a people for himself, to make a name for yourself by great and awesome deeds, by driving out from before your people, whom you redeemed out of Egypt, a nation and its gods?

Webster's Bible Translation
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

World English Bible
What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people whom you redeemed out of Egypt?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And who [is] as Your people Israel, one nation in the earth whom God has gone to ransom to Himself for a people, to make a great and fearful name for Yourself, to cast out nations from the presence of Your people whom You have ransomed out of Egypt?

Young's Literal Translation
And who is as Thy people Israel, one nation in the earth whom God hath gone to ransom to Him for a people, to make for Thee a name great and fearful, to cast out from the presence of Thy people whom Thou hast ransomed out of Egypt -- nations?

Smith's Literal Translation
And what one nation as thy people Israel, in the earth, whom God went to redeem to him a people to set up to thee a name of greatnesses and terrible things, to thrust out nations from before thy people, whom thou didst redeem from Egypt?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For what other nation is there upon earth like thy people Israel, whom God went to deliver, and make a people for himself, and by his greatness and terrors cast out nations before their face whom he had delivered out of Egypt?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For what other single nation upon earth is like your people Israel, to whom God reached out, so that he might free them, and might make a people for himself, and by his greatness and terribleness cast out the nations before the face of those whom he had freed from Egypt?

New American Bible
“Is there, like your people Israel, whom you redeemed from Egypt, another nation on earth whom a god went to redeem as his people? You won for yourself a name for great and awesome deeds by driving out the nations before your people.

New Revised Standard Version
Who is like your people Israel, one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and terrible things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And what other nation on earth is united like thy people Israel? For thou didst reveal thyself from heaven and saved them, and for their sakes thou didst perform great and terrible wonders and brought severe plagues upon the Egyptians until thou didst bring them out from among them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And who is there like your people Israel, one people in the earth, for you were revealed from Heaven and you have saved them! And because of them you have performed great temptation and awesome and great affliction against the Egyptians, until you brought them out from among them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And who is like Thy people Israel, a nation one in the earth, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people, to make Thee a name by great and tremendous things, in driving out nations from before Thy people, whom Thou didst redeem out of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Neither is there another nation upon the earth such as thy people Israel, whereas God led him in the way, to redeem a people for himself, to make for himself a great and glorious name, to cast out nations from before thy people, whom thou redeemedst out of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Prayer of Thanksgiving
20O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears. 21And who is like Your people Israel— the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt. 22For You have made Your people Israel Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.…

Cross References
Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Deuteronomy 4:7-8
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? / And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?

Deuteronomy 4:32-34
Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported? / Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived? / Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 10:21
He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome wonders that your eyes have seen.

2 Samuel 7:23
And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.

Psalm 147:20
He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 63:12-14
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? / Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

Jeremiah 32:21
You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.

Amos 3:2
“Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Luke 1:68-75
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. / He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, / as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, ...

John 17:6
I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

Acts 7:35-36
This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. / He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Romans 9:4-5
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

And what one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make you a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before your people whom you have redeemed out of Egypt?

what one

Deuteronomy 4:7,32-34
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? …

Deuteronomy 33:26-29
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky…

Psalm 147:20
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

redeem

Exodus 3:7,8
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; …

Exodus 19:4-6
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself…

Deuteronomy 15:15
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

make thee

Nehemiah 9:10
And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

Isaiah 48:9
For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.

Isaiah 63:12
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

greatness

Deuteronomy 4:34
Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Psalm 56:5
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Psalm 66:3-7
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee…

by driving

Deuteronomy 7:1,2
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; …

Joshua 10:42
And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

Joshua 21:43-45
And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein…

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1 Chronicles 17
1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house
3. after by the word of God forbids him
11. He promises him blessings and benefits in his seed
16. David's prayer and thanksgiving














And who is like Your people Israel
This phrase emphasizes the uniqueness of Israel as God's chosen people. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), which signifies a collective group bound by a common identity and purpose. Historically, Israel was set apart by God through the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This distinctiveness is not just in their ethnic identity but in their relationship with God, who chose them to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). The rhetorical question underscores the unparalleled status of Israel in God's redemptive plan.

the one nation on earth
The phrase highlights Israel's singularity among all nations. The Hebrew word for "nation" is "גּוֹי" (goy), often used to refer to Gentile nations but here signifies Israel's unique role. Archaeologically, Israel's existence as a nation was marked by its monotheistic faith in a polytheistic world, setting it apart from surrounding cultures. This distinction is not based on merit but on God's sovereign choice and purpose.

whom God went out to redeem
The concept of redemption is central to Israel's identity. The Hebrew root "גָּאַל" (ga'al) means to redeem or buy back, often used in the context of a kinsman-redeemer. This reflects God's intimate involvement in Israel's deliverance, particularly from Egypt. Redemption here is both a physical and spiritual act, symbolizing liberation from bondage and a call to holiness.

as a people for Himself
This phrase indicates God's personal claim over Israel. The Hebrew "לְעַם" (le'am) suggests possession and purpose. Israel is not just any people but a people belonging to God, set apart for His glory. This covenant relationship is foundational, as seen in Exodus 19:5-6, where God declares Israel to be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests.

and to make a name for Himself
God's actions in redeeming Israel were not only for their benefit but to reveal His character and power to the world. The Hebrew "שֵׁם" (shem) means name, reputation, or fame. God's deeds in history, particularly the Exodus, were meant to establish His name as the one true God, distinct from the idols of the nations. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God's glory is paramount (Isaiah 42:8).

by doing great and awesome deeds
The phrase refers to the miraculous acts God performed on behalf of Israel. The Hebrew "גְּדוֹלוֹת" (gedolot) and "נוֹרָאוֹת" (nora'ot) mean great and awesome, respectively. These deeds include the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision in the wilderness. Such acts were not only demonstrations of power but also of God's faithfulness and covenant love.

by driving out nations before Your people
This phrase speaks to God's active role in securing the Promised Land for Israel. The Hebrew "לִפְנֵי" (lifnei) means before or in the presence of, indicating God's direct intervention. Historically, this involved the conquest of Canaan, where God fought for Israel, fulfilling His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). It underscores God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises.

whom You redeemed from Egypt
The reference to Egypt is a reminder of God's deliverance from slavery, a foundational event in Israel's history. The Hebrew "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim) is often symbolic of bondage and oppression. The Exodus is a central narrative that defines Israel's identity and God's power to save. It prefigures the ultimate redemption through Christ, who delivers from the bondage of sin.

(21) And what one nation in the earth.--Rather, And who is like Thy people Israel, a single (isolated) race on the earth? (Comp. Numbers 23:9.)

Nation (goy)--i.e., race; a people considered as united by common blood, speech, country.

People ('?m)--i.e., a political community, social union, or state, owning one sovereign.

Whom God went . . .--Literally, which God went (marched) to redeem to Himself as a people. Samuel has "which gods went."

To make thee a name.--That is, for Thyself, God. Samuel has "for him," in the same sense.

A name of greatness and terribleness.--Both nouns are plural, and imply renown for great and terrible deeds.

By driving.--To drive; parallel with "to redeem "and "to make."

Nations.--Samuel adds, "and his gods." The text of this verse in Samuel is corrupt (comp. the LXX.), and perhaps the added phrase is spurious. But, on the other hand, the chronicler may have omitted it because, like Isaiah, he regarded the heathen deities as non-entities. In earlier times, foreign gods were spoken of as real beings, subordinate to Jehovah. (Comp. the LXX. rendering of Deuteronomy 32:8.) . . .

Verse 21. - In the parallel verse (2 Samuel 7:23), our Authorized Version, following the Hebrew text (לְכֶם), reads, "To do for you great things and terrible." The transition is awkward, no way in harmony with the other short clauses of the passage, and it would be inexplicable except for the alternative open to us, of regarding it as a quotation from Deuteronomy 4:34, brought in regardless of the context into which it was introduced. The difficulty does not meet us in our present passage, being obviated by the other sentences of our compiler. Both places, however, manifestly quote from the Book of Deuteronomy, with the grand passages and grand verbiage of which we may well imagine David familiar. A similar familiarity is also betokened in the following verses, as regard other Pentateuchal passages.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And who
וּמִי֙ (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is like Your people
כְּעַמְּךָ֣ (kə·‘am·mə·ḵā)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel—
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

the one
אֶחָ֖ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

nation
גּ֥וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

on earth
בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

whom
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

God
הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

went out
הָלַ֨ךְ (hā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to redeem
לִפְדּ֧וֹת (lip̄·dō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

as a people
עָ֗ם (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

for Himself,
ל֣וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

to make
לָשׂ֤וּם (lā·śūm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

a name
שֵׁ֚ם (m)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

for Yourself
לְךָ֙ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

through great
גְּדֻלּ֣וֹת (gə·ḏul·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1420: Greatness, mighty acts

and awesome wonders
וְנֹרָא֔וֹת (wə·nō·rā·’ō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

by driving out
לְגָרֵ֗שׁ (lə·ḡā·rêš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce

nations
גּוֹיִֽם׃ (gō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

from before
מִפְּנֵ֧י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Your people,
עַמְּךָ֛ (‘am·mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You redeemed
פָּדִ֥יתָ (pā·ḏî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

from Egypt?
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 17:21 What one nation in the earth (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 17:20
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