1 Chronicles 21:6

1 Chronicles 21:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
• New International Version (NIV)But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king's command was abhorrent to Joab.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

Context of 1 Chronicles 21:6

4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem. 5And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah. But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him. 7This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel. 8Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

1 Chronicles 21:6 word by word

וְלֵוִי֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן לֹ֥א פָקַ֖ד בְּתוֹכָ֑ם כִּֽי־נִתְעַ֥ב דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֶת־יוֹאָֽב׃Read the interlinear

• But Joab did notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• includeפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: listH6485
• Leviלֵוִיlêvîy · LeviH3878
• and Benjaminבִּנְיָמִיןbinyâmîyn · BenjaminH1144
• in the countתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• becauseכִּיkîy · forH3588
• the king’sמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• commandדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• was detestableתַּעָבtâ‛ab · to abhorH8581
• toאֵת'êth · withH854
• himיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097

Cross-references for 1 Chronicles 21:6

• Numbers 1:47The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.
• 2 Samuel 3:27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
• 2 Samuel 11:15In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”
• 2 Samuel 20:9“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

Commentaries on 1 Chronicles 21:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Levi and Benjamin counted he not - The rabbins give the following reason for this: Joab, seeing that this would bring down destruction upon the people, purposed to save two tribes. Should David ask, Why have you not numbered the Levites? Joab purposed to say, Because the Levites are not reckoned among the children of Israel. Should he ask, Why have you not numbered Benjamin? he would answer, Benjamin has been already sufficiently punished, on account of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6To omit the Levites would be to follow the precedent recorded in Numbers 1:47-49. The omission of Benjamin must he ascribed to a determination on the part of Joab to frustrate the king‘s intention, whereby he might hope to avert God‘s wrath from the people.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-30This account of the census is similar to 2 Samuel 24:1–25 but focuses on different aspects. The Chronicler’s version sets the stage for dedicating the altar and preparing to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. Levi and Benjamin counted he not--If this census was ordered with a view to the imposition of taxes, this alone would account for Levi, who were not warriors (1Ch 21:5), not being numbered (see on Nu 1:47-54). The population of Benjamin had been taken (see on 1Ch 7:6-11), and the register preserved in the archives of that tribe. This, however, was taken on another occasion, and by other agency than that of Joab. The non-numbering of these two tribes…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Chronicles 21:6

• Benjamin
• Census
• Conscience
• Integrity
• Israel
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Benjamin
• Joab
• Levi
• Benjamin, Benjaminite
• Levi, Levite
• Matthew, Levi
• Advise
• Cost
• Displease
• Grant

Commentaries on 1 Chronicles 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings