What Does 2 Samuel 24:23 Mean in the King James?

All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

2 Samuel 24:23 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The gift reaches a king; acceptance is pictured as the LORD taking pleasure in him.

THE MEANING

You see a complete gift placed into the king’s hands, alongside a blessing that the LORD receive him favorably. Human generosity and divine favor meet here, but they remain distinct: one is given, the other is sought from God.

THE ROOT

יִרְצֶךָ

yirtsekha

GROWS FROM

רצה

To be pleased with, accept, or receive favorably.

Here, “accept” carries the sense of being pleased with or receiving favorably. In this root, ⁨נִרְצָה⁩ (nirtzah, be accepted) describes one received favorably, while ⁨רִצָּה⁩ (ritstsah, satisfy or appease) describes bringing satisfaction; the blessing asks for the LORD’s favorable regard.

ALSO GROWS

nirtzah: Be accepted or received favorably; a Niphal form of ⁨רצה⁩.

נִרְצָה

It makes explicit the receiving with favor that Araunah wishes for the king.

ritstsah: Satisfy or appease; a Piel form of ⁨רצה⁩.

רִצָּה

This form shows the root’s relation to pleasure and satisfaction, deepening the wish that the LORD take pleasure in the king.

נָתַן

natan

GROWS FROM

נתן

To give, put, or set in place.

“give” in this verse is natan. The root holds giving together with setting or placing. “All these things” names a concrete transfer into another’s hands, set alongside the distinct hope of divine acceptance.

ALSO GROWS

natan: Give, put, or set.

נָתַן

This is the verb in the verse, making Araunah’s gift an act of placing what he has into the king’s hands.

nittan: Be given or be set; a Niphal form of ⁨נתן⁩.

נִתַּן

The passive form keeps the same root while shifting attention to what is placed with its recipient.

THE PATTERN

Scripture locates acceptance in God’s regard, even when a human gift or offering is the visible act.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:4 · KJVThe LORD’s regard names both Abel and what he brings, echoing Araunah’s wish that God receive the king.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 51:17 · KJVThe offering here is inward, yet acceptance still rests in God’s regard.

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Acts 10:35 · KJVAcceptance is named as a relationship with God, extending the pattern beyond a material gift.

THE THREAD

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 147:11 · KJV

“Taketh pleasure” uses the same Hebrew root ⁨רצה⁩ (ratzah, to be pleased with or accept) as “accept thee” here. Araunah’s blessing over the king appears in the Psalm as the LORD’s own pleasure in those who hope in him.

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