Book of 2 Samuel - Chapter 24 - Verse 16

The verse 'And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.' from 2 Samuel 24:16 in the Bible tells the story of God's mercy and compassion towards the people of Jerusalem. In this verse, we see that God was initially going to bring destruction upon Jerusalem, but then decided to spare the city. This demonstrates God's willingness to change course and show mercy, even in the face of judgment. The presence of the angel at the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite signifies a moment of pause and reflection, as God's plan for destruction is halted. Through this verse, we can see the complex nature of God's character - one of justice, but also one of compassion and forgiveness.

The theological interpretation of this verse revolves around the concept of God's mercy and His ability to change His mind. In this particular instance, the angel of the Lord was sent to destroy Jerusalem due to the evil deeds of its people. However, when the angel was about to carry out this destruction, the Lord repented of the evil and stopped the angel from causing further harm. This displays God's compassion and willingness to show mercy, even in the face of judgment.

Word studies on this verse could focus on the meaning of "repented" in this context. The Hebrew word used here, "נָחַם" (nacham), can also be translated as "relent" or "comfort." This sheds light on the idea that God's decision to spare Jerusalem was not a change of His character, but rather a demonstration of His compassion and grace towards His people.

Another interesting aspect of this verse is the mention of the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. This detail serves as a historical marker, highlighting the specific location where this event took place and adding depth to the narrative. It also underscores the significance of the land and its inhabitants in God's plan for His people.