2 Chronicles 2:6

Authorized King James Version

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But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

Original Language Analysis

וּמִ֤י H4310
וּמִ֤י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 1 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַֽעֲצָר But who is able H6113
יַֽעֲצָר But who is able
Strong's: H6113
Word #: 2 of 22
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
כֹּ֙חַ֙ H3581
כֹּ֙חַ֙
Strong's: H3581
Word #: 3 of 22
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
אֶבְנֶה him who am I then that I should build H1129
אֶבְנֶה him who am I then that I should build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 4 of 22
to build (literally and figuratively)
ל֣וֹ H0
ל֣וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 22
בַ֔יִת him an house H1004
בַ֔יִת him an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּ֧י H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 8 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 9 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 10 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ cannot contain H3557
יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ cannot contain
Strong's: H3557
Word #: 12 of 22
properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
וּמִ֤י H4310
וּמִ֤י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 13 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
אֲנִי֙ H589
אֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 14 of 22
i
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶבְנֶה him who am I then that I should build H1129
אֶבְנֶה him who am I then that I should build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 16 of 22
to build (literally and figuratively)
לּ֣וֹ H0
לּ֣וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 22
בַ֔יִת him an house H1004
בַ֔יִת him an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 18 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּ֖י H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 19 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם save only H518
אִם save only
Strong's: H518
Word #: 20 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לְהַקְטִ֥יר to burn sacrifice H6999
לְהַקְטִ֥יר to burn sacrifice
Strong's: H6999
Word #: 21 of 22
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
לְפָנָֽיו׃ before H6440
לְפָנָֽיו׃ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 22 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Cross References

1 Kings 8:27But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?2 Chronicles 6:18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?Exodus 3:11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?1 Chronicles 29:14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.2 Chronicles 1:10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?2 Samuel 7:18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;2 Corinthians 2:16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?Deuteronomy 12:14But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.

Analysis & Commentary

Solomon's rhetorical question 'But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?' expresses proper theological understanding of divine transcendence. God is omnipresent (1 Kings 8:27) - no physical structure can 'contain' Him. Yet paradoxically, God condescends to dwell among His people. The phrase 'who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?' acknowledges human limitation while affirming God's gracious accommodation. The temple's purpose is worship (sacrifice) not housing God. This tension between transcendence and immanence finds resolution in Christ, the true temple who is fully God yet dwelling among us.

Historical Context

Solomon's letter to Hiram of Tyre (c. 967 BCE) requesting cedar demonstrates the temple project's international scope. Acknowledging God's transcendence to a pagan king served apologetic purposes, distinguishing YHWH from local deities supposedly bound to shrines.

Questions for Reflection