1 Chronicles 21:5 net — Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone…

NET Bible

"Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers."

— 1 Chronicles 21:5, NET Bible

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1 Chronicles 21:5 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.”

  • ASV

    “And Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. ”

  • WEB

    “Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword.”

  • DRB

    “And he gave David the number of them, whom he had surveyed: and all the number of Israel was found to be eleven hundred thousand men that drew the sword: and of Juda four hundred and seventy thousand fighting men.”

  • BBE

    “And Joab gave David the number of all the people; all the men of Israel, able to take up arms, were one million, one hundred thousand men; and those of Judah were four hundred and seventy thousand men, able to take up arms.”

  • KJVA

    “And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.”

1 Chronicles 21 — Context

2

David told Joab and the leaders of the army,“Go, count the number of warriors from Beer Sheba to Dan. Then bring back a report to me so I may know how many we have.”

3

Joab replied,“May the LORD make his army a hundred times larger! My master, O king, do not all of them serve my master? Why does my master want to do this? Why bring judgment on Israel?”

4

But the king’s edict stood, despite Joab’s objections. So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel before returning to Jerusalem.

5

Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers.

6

Now Joab did not number Levi and Benjamin, for the king’s edict disgusted him.

7

God was also offended by it, so he attacked Israel.

8

David said to God,“I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

1 Chronicles 21:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Chronicles 21:5 say?
1 Chronicles 21:5 in the NET Bible reads: “Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers.”
Where is 1 Chronicles 21:5 in the Bible?
1 Chronicles 21:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 21, verse 5.
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 21:5.
What translation should I read 1 Chronicles 21:5 in?
1 Chronicles 21:5 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 21:5?
1 Chronicles 21:5 reads (NET): “Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers.” 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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