· Translation: KJV

1 Chronicles 21:23Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes. Behold, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all."

The setting

Mount Moriah, Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. Ornan realizes the king needs his threshing floor for an emergency altar to stop a plague. Without hesitation, he offers everything - land, animals, tools...

The emotion here: overwhelmed gratitude mixed with awe at serving the king in his hour of need

The original word

nāthan (נָתַן) — to give freely, bestow as a gift, not sell or trade

Why it matters

Ornan offered oxen worth about 2 years' wages plus expensive threshing sledges made with iron teeth

Read with care

What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 21:23

Ornan gives away his entire business operation in one moment - this would bankrupt most farmers

Common misconceptionPeople admire Ornan's generosity but miss that he's actually making a shrewd spiritual investment - helping the king could bring lifelong protection and blessing.

Bible Genome reading

1 Chronicles 21:23 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerOrnan
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotiongrateful
Literary typedialogue

Emotional genome

Comfort power50%
Quotability40%
Memorability40%
Crisis relevance20%
Standalone30%
Themes:generosityhonor

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 1 Chronicles 21

1 Chronicles 21:23 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Ornan. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include generosity, honor. Notable phrases: take it for yourself; I give the oxen.

Your reflection

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