Bible Strands
Psalms 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the "mountains of many peaks" to contrast their insignificance with God’s chosen dwelling, declaring His sovereign presence amid a vast heavenly host.
The words — רֶכֶב (Re.khev) denotes chariotry, and שִׁנְאָ֑ן (shin.'An) literally means repetitions, together emphasizing the countless, multiplying ranks of God’s forces.
The thread — This depiction of divine hosts appears in Deuteronomy 33:2 where the Lord comes from Sinai, Daniel 7:10 describing thousands attending His throne, and Revelation 5:11 with multitudes encircling the heavenly throne.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s present sanctuary carries the same authority as His revelation at Sinai, requiring the reader to recognize His unchanging rule and the reality of His heavenly court.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 33:2 He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.
- Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
- Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
- Revelation 9:16 And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.
- Habakkuk 3:8 Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode on Your horses, on Your chariots of salvation?
- Matthew 26:53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- 2 Kings 6:16 “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- Psalms 18:10 He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.
- Ezekiel 1:15 When I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.
- Exodus 19:22 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”