1 Chronicles 21:12 net — three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, or three days bein…

NET Bible

"three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, or three days being struck down by the LORD, during which a plague will invade the land and the LORD’s angel will destroy throughout Israel’s territory.’ Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.”"

— 1 Chronicles 21:12, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

1 Chronicles 21:12 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.”

  • ASV

    “either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before thy foes, while the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of Jehovah, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Jehovah destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him that sent me. ”

  • WEB

    “either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.'"”

  • DRB

    “Either three years famine: or three months to flee from thy enemies, and not to be able to escape their sword: or three days to have the sword of the Lord, and pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying in all the coasts of Israel: now therefore see what I shall answer him who sent me.”

  • BBE

    “Three years when there will not be enough food; or three months of war, when you will go in flight before your haters, being in great danger of the sword; or three days of the sword of the Lord, disease in the land, and the angel of the Lord taking destruction through all the land of Israel. Now give thought to the answer I am to take back to him who sent me.”

  • KJVA

    “Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.”

1 Chronicles 21 — Context

9

The LORD told Gad, David’s prophet,

10

“Go, tell David,‘This is what the LORD says:“I am offering you three forms of judgment from which to choose. Pick one of them.”’”

11

Gad went to David and told him,“This is what the LORD says:‘Pick one of these:

12

three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, or three days being struck down by the LORD, during which a plague will invade the land and the LORD’s angel will destroy throughout Israel’s territory.’ Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.”

13

David said to Gad,“I am very upset! I prefer to be attacked by the LORD, for his mercy is very great; I do not want to be attacked by men!”

14

So the LORD sent a plague through Israel, and 70,000 Israelite men died.

15

God sent an angel to ravage Jerusalem. As he was doing so, the LORD watched and relented from his judgment. He told the angel who was destroying,“That’s enough! Stop now!” Now the LORD’s angel was standing near the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 Chronicles 21:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Chronicles 21:12 say?
1 Chronicles 21:12 in the NET Bible reads: “three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, or three days being struck down by the LORD, during which a plague will invade the land and the LORD’s angel will destroy throughout Israel’s territory.’ Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.””
Where is 1 Chronicles 21:12 in the Bible?
1 Chronicles 21:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 21, verse 12.
Who wrote 1 Chronicles?
1 Chronicles is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Ezra). It was written c. 450–425 BC.
What is the book of 1 Chronicles about?
1 Chronicles retells Israel's history from a priestly, post-exilic perspective. After extensive genealogies, it focuses on David — his reign, his preparations for the temple, and the line through which God's eternal kingdom would come.
What are the major themes of 1 Chronicles?
1 Chronicles explores themes including Genealogy, David's Reign, Temple Preparation, Worship, Continuity. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Chronicles 21:12.
What translation should I read 1 Chronicles 21:12 in?
1 Chronicles 21:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Chronicles 21:12?
1 Chronicles 21:12 reads (NET): “three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, or three days being struck down by the LORD, during which a plague will invade the land and the LORD’s angel will destroy throughout Israel’s territory.’ Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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