What Does 1 Chronicles 17:24 Mean in the King James?
Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The prayer asks for God’s nature, not merely a title, to be recognized as great through the ages, alongside David’s house made firm before him.
THE MEANING
The LORD of hosts is named as the God of Israel, a God to Israel. His name, שֵׁם (shem, name as nature), is spoken of as enduring in greatness, while David’s house stands firm before him. The verse holds divine identity and lasting relationship together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
God’s name is only a title, detached from how God is present to a people.
THE ROOT
וְיִגְדַּל
veyigdal
GROWS FROM
גדל
g-d-l
Grow, become great.
The root gives “magnified” the sense of becoming great and being made visible as great. Its object is שֵׁם (shem, name as nature), so the prayer concerns the enduring recognition of God’s nature, not merely a larger reputation.
ALSO GROWS
gādōl: Great, large.
גָּדוֹל
This adjective shares the root’s sense of greatness, showing what the name is said to become.
migdāl: Tower, raised structure.
מִגְדָּל
The same root appears in a structure that rises into view, echoing the image of a name becoming manifest.
וְיִתְאַמֵּץ
veyit'ammets
GROWS FROM
אמץ
ʾ-m-ts
Be strong, strengthen.
The first “established” uses the language of strength: may the word be strengthened or confirmed. English repeats “established” later, but the Hebrew first speaks of strengthening and then of a house set firm.
ALSO GROWS
ʾāmats: Be strong or strengthen.
אָמַץ
This is the root’s basic action behind the opening request for confirmation.
ʾammits: Strong, mighty.
אַמִּיץ
This related form makes the strengthening in the first clause more concrete.
נָכוֹן
nakhon
GROWS FROM
כון
k-w-n
Be firm, set in place, establish.
The closing word describes David’s house as firm before God. The verse’s two English “established” phrases thus carry different motions: the prayer is strengthened, and the house is set in place.
ALSO GROWS
hekin: Prepare, set in order.
הֵכִין
This form of the root carries the sense of making something ready and placing it in order.
mekhonah: Base, stand, foundation.
מְכוֹנָה
The root also names the support on which something stands, deepening the image of a house made firm.
THE PATTERN
A name becomes great as the character it carries is made visible through enduring relationship and promise.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:THE THREAD
And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.This parallel prayer repeats גדל (gadal, grow or become great) and נכון (nakhon, be firm or established), joining the enduring name to David’s house. Chronicles makes the relationship explicit with “a God to Israel,” showing the people named in the prayer alongside the greatness of God’s name.
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