1 Chronicles 17 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 17:14, 17:16
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Chapter 17
Hebrew source [H17] • Greek source [G17]
The promised house and kingdom (17:1–15)
Verse 17:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:1] When David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I dwell in a cedar house, but the ark of YHWH's covenant is under tent curtains.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:1] When David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I dwell in a cedar house, but the ark of the Lord's covenant is beneath skins.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names curtains without specifying their material; Greek names skins. The contrast with David's cedar house agrees.
Verse 17:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:2] Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:2] Nathan said to David, “Do everything in your soul, for God is with you.”
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both give Nathan's initial approval and assurance of divine presence.
Verse 17:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:3] That night God's word came to Nathan, saying,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:3] That night the Lord's word came to Nathan, saying,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The source of the message is named God in Hebrew and Lord in Greek.
Verse 17:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:4] “Go and say to David My servant, ‘Thus says YHWH: You are not the one who shall build Me the house to dwell in.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:4] “Go and say to David My servant, ‘Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house for Me to dwell in it.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both explicitly deny that David is to build the dwelling house.
Verse 17:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:5] For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up until this day; I have moved from tent to tent and from a dwelling.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:5] For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up until this day; I was in a tent and in a lodging.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew depicts movement and ends with the incomplete from-a-dwelling expression; Greek describes residence in a tent and lodging. A missing final Hebrew destination is not reconstructed.
Verse 17:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:6] Wherever I moved among all Israel, did I ever speak a word to any of Israel's judges whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, “Why have you not built Me a cedar house?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:6] In all the places I passed through in all Israel, did I ever speak to one tribe of Israel for shepherding My people, saying, “You have not built Me a cedar house”?
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names judges and their command to shepherd; Greek names a tribe and lacks the explicit appointment verb. Greek also lacks the why in the quoted complaint.
Verse 17:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:7] Now say this to My servant David: Thus says YHWH of Hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become leader over My people Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:7] Now say this to My servant David: Thus says the Lord Almighty: I took you from the sheepfold, from following the flocks, to become leader over My people Israel.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The pastoral origin and leadership appointment agree; pasture/sheepfold and Hosts/Almighty preserve each source's wording.
Verse 17:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:8] I was with you wherever you went and cut off all your enemies before you; I will make you a name like the name of the great ones on the earth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:8] I was with you wherever you went and destroyed all your enemies before you; I made you a name like the name of the great ones on the earth.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew's final clause is provisionally read as a promise in the developing oracle; Greek explicitly uses a past making of the name. The preceding protection agrees.
Verse 17:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:9] I will appoint a place for My people Israel and plant them, so they may dwell in their own place and no longer be disturbed. Sons of wickedness shall no longer wear them down as before,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:9] I will appoint a place for My people Israel and plant them, and they shall dwell by themselves and no longer be anxious. Injustice shall no longer humble them as at the beginning.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew identifies wicked people as the oppressors and speaks of wearing down; Greek makes injustice the agent and speaks of humbling. The promise of secure settlement agrees.
Verse 17:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:10] as from the days when I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. I declare to you that YHWH will build you a house.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:10] From the days when I appointed judges over My people Israel, I humbled all your enemies. I will increase you, and the Lord will build you a house.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew's declaration becomes Greek increase, and the humbling clause has different temporal force. Both promise a house for David, reversing his proposed house for God.
Verse 17:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:11] When your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one who will be from your sons, and establish his kingdom.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:11] When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one who will be from your body, and prepare his kingdom.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew identifies the successor as one of David's sons; Greek says from his body and uses sleep for going to the fathers. Rabbinic: the commentary presented as Rashi on this verse [R3] connects the established kingdom with Solomon in First Kings two twelve.
Verse 17:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:12] He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:12] He shall build Me a house, and I will set his throne upright forever.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The builder and enduring throne agree. Saints: Augustine, City of God XVII.8 [S3], reads the corresponding promise in Second Samuel seven as fully realized in Christ; Solomon's temple and peace serve as figures, while Christ builds a house of believers. This is an attributed Christian typological reading of the parallel oracle, not a replacement of the immediate royal language.
Verse 17:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:13] I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to Me. I will not remove My steadfast love from him as I removed it from the one who was before you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:13] I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to Me. I will not withdraw My mercy from him as I withdrew it from those before you.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew refers to one predecessor; Greek to plural predecessors. Rabbinic: the commentary [R3] identifies the predecessor as Saul and explains the retained kindness by contrasting Solomon's chastening with Saul's loss of dynasty; it attributes Chronicles' omission of the parallel chastening clause to Davidic honor. That literary explanation is the commentator's interpretation, not an established textual history.
Verse 17:14 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:14] I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:14] I will make him secure in My house and in his kingdom forever, and his throne shall be set upright forever.’”
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew locates the successor in God's own kingdom, My kingdom; Greek says his kingdom, the successor's. This is a substantive change in the explicit portrayal of royal possession, though both promise divine establishment.
Verse 17:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:15] Nathan spoke to David according to all these words and all this vision.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:15] Nathan spoke to David according to all these words and all this vision.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both affirm Nathan's transmission of the complete revelation.
David’s prayer (17:16–27)
Verse 17:16 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:16] King David went in and sat before YHWH. He said, “Who am I, YHWH God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:16] King David went in and sat before the Lord. He said, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that You have loved me forever?
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew marvels at being brought to this point; Greek explicitly declares enduring divine love. The stated benefit and its temporal scope differ substantially within the same humble question.
Verse 17:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:17] This was a small thing in Your eyes, God, and You spoke of Your servant's house far into the future. You regarded me according to the standing of a man of high degree, YHWH God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:17] These things became small before You, God, and You spoke of Your servant's house far ahead. You looked upon me as a human vision, and You exalted me, Lord God.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The Hebrew standing/rank phrase is difficult; the commentary [R3] explains it as placing David among the great. Greek instead has a human-vision expression and a separate exaltation verb. Its precise vision syntax remains uncertain.
Verse 17:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:18] What more can David add to You concerning the honor of Your servant? You know Your servant.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:18] What more can David add to You in glorifying? You know Your servant.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew explicitly mentions honor for Your servant; Greek leaves the object of glorifying unstated. It is not silently supplied with the Hebrew object.
Verse 17:19 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:19] YHWH, for Your servant's sake and according to Your heart, You have done all this greatness, to make known all these great things.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:19] According to Your heart You have done all the greatness.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek lacks the address YHWH, the servant's sake, and the purpose of making the great things known.
Verse 17:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:20] YHWH, there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all we have heard with our ears.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:20] Lord, there is none like You, and there is none besides You, according to all we have heard with our ears.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek omits the explicit noun God in the second clause; the declaration of divine uniqueness remains clear.
Verse 17:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:21] Who is like Your people Israel, one nation on the earth, whom God went to redeem as a people for Himself, to make You a name through great and fearsome deeds, driving nations out before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:21] There is no nation on the earth like Your people Israel, whom God led to redeem a people for Himself, to make Himself a great and manifest name, driving nations out before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew has God going to redeem and great/fearsome deeds; Greek has God leading the people and a great/manifest name. Both retain the shift between third-person God and direct second-person address, and the expulsion of nations.
Verse 17:22 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:22] You made Your people Israel Your people forever, and You, YHWH, became their God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:22] You gave Your people Israel to Yourself as a people forever, and You, Lord, are their God.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both affirm the lasting people–God relationship.
Verse 17:23 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:23] Now, YHWH, let the word You spoke concerning Your servant and his house be confirmed forever, and do as You have spoken.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:23] Now, Lord, let Your word which You spoke to Your servant and concerning his house be made secure forever,
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek lacks the final request to do as You have spoken and continues directly into the following acclamation.
Verse 17:24 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:24] Let it be confirmed, and let Your name be magnified forever, as people say, ‘YHWH of Hosts, Israel's God, is God to Israel,’ and let the house of David Your servant be established before You.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:24] while people say, ‘Lord, Lord Almighty, God of Israel,’ and let the house of David Your servant be set upright before You.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek lacks the renewed confirmation and magnifying of the name, has a doubled Lord address, and omits Hebrew's God-to-Israel predicate. Both ask for the servant's house to stand before God.
Verse 17:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:25] For You, my God, uncovered Your servant's ear, saying You would build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:25] For You, Lord, opened Your servant's ear to build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew addresses my God; Greek says Lord. The revealed house promise and resulting prayer agree; courage is an English completion of the compressed found expression.
Verse 17:26 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:26] Now, YHWH, You are God, and You have spoken this good thing concerning Your servant.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:26] Now, Lord, You are God, and You have spoken these good things concerning Your servant.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew singular good thing becomes Greek plural good things; the divine identity and promise agree.
Verse 17:27 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[17:27] Now You have been pleased to bless Your servant's house, so it may remain before You forever. For You, YHWH, have blessed it, and it is blessed forever.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[17:27] Now You have begun to bless Your servant's house, so it may remain before You forever. For You, Lord, have blessed it; bless it forever.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew pleased becomes Greek begun, and Hebrew's concluding state of being blessed becomes a Greek imperative requesting continued blessing. Both retain the preceding blessing and enduring house.