Text: 1 Chronicles 21:16
OT Text Referred to: Numbers 22:31
Subject: divine confrontation
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Echo
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Both texts describe a human seeing the angel of the LORD (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, mal'akh YHWH) standing with a drawn sword. In Numbers 22:31 Balaam's eyes are opened to see the angel blocking his path, sword in hand. In 1 Chronicles 21:16 David sees the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven with a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem during the plague resulting from the census. Both encounters provoke prostration and fear, and both involve the angel as an agent of divine judgment who can either destroy or relent. The shared imagery of the sword-bearing angel functions as a visual warning that God's holiness threatens destruction, while also opening the door to mercy when properly approached.