The Meaning of 2 Samuel 7:21 Explained

2 Samuel 7:21

KJV: For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

YLT: Because of Thy word, and according to Thy heart, Thou hast done all this greatness, to cause Thy servant to know it.

Darby: For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, to make thy servant know it.

ASV: For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou wrought all this greatness, to make thy servant know it.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For thy word's  sake, and according to thine own heart,  hast thou done  all these great things,  to make thy servant  know  [them]. 

What does 2 Samuel 7:21 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 7:18-29 - David's Humble And Grateful Prayer
The promise made through Nathan was threefold: (1) that David's house should reign forever; (2) that his seed should build the Temple; (3) that the kingdom of Israel should be made sure. These glowing words were fulfilled in shadow in the literal story of Judah, but in substance in Him whom David foresaw, Acts 2:30. There is only One whose reign is permanent, whose kingdom is without end, and who can bring rest to the hearts of men, Zechariah 6:12.
Take time to sit before God. It is good to kneel or stand; but have moments of reverie, when you shall expose the sensitive plate of your soul to receive His imprint. It is good for us all to take up God's holy words of promise and turn them back on Himself, saying, "Do as thou hast said." Learn to put your finger on this or the other promise, turning each check into the cash of its daily use for daily thanksgiving. There is no exercise in which mortal man can engage, more strengthening, more prolific of good, more glorifying to God. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 7

1  Nathan, first approving the purpose of David to build God a house
4  After by the word of God forbids him
12  God promises him benefits and blessings in his seed
18  David's prayer and thanksgiving

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 7:21 mean?

for sake of Your word and according to Your own heart You have done - all great thing this to make know [them] - Your servant
בַּעֲב֤וּר דְּבָֽרְךָ֙ וּֽכְלִבְּךָ֔ עָשִׂ֕יתָ אֵ֥ת כָּל־ הַגְּדוּלָּ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את לְהוֹדִ֖יעַ אֶת־ עַבְדֶּֽךָ

בַּעֲב֤וּר  for  sake 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֲבוּר  
Sense: for the sake of, on account of, because of, in order to conj.
דְּבָֽרְךָ֙  of  Your  word 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
וּֽכְלִבְּךָ֔  and  according  to  Your  own  heart 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
עָשִׂ֕יתָ  You  have  done 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אֵ֥ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַגְּדוּלָּ֖ה  great  thing 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: גְּדוּלָּה  
Sense: greatness.
הַזֹּ֑את  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
לְהוֹדִ֖יעַ  to  make  know  [them] 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
עַבְדֶּֽךָ  Your  servant 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.