2 Chronicles 7:3

Authorized King James Version

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
בְּנֵ֣י
H1121
And when all the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
רֹאִים֙
H7200
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#5
בְּרֶ֣דֶת
H3381
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#6
הָאֵ֔שׁ
H784
how the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#7
וּכְב֥וֹד
H3519
and the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#8
לַֽיהוָה֙
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הַבָּ֑יִת
H1004
upon the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
וַיִּכְרְעוּ֩
H3766
they bowed
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
#12
אַפַּ֨יִם
H639
themselves with their faces
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#13
אַ֤רְצָה
H776
to the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
הָרִֽצְפָה֙
H7531
upon the pavement
a hot stone; also a tessellated pavement
#16
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ
H7812
and worshipped
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#17
וְהֹד֤וֹת
H3034
and praised
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
#18
לַֽיהוָה֙
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#20
ט֔וֹב
H2896
saying For he is good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#21
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#22
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
H5769
endureth for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#23
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃
H2617
for his mercy
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing glory contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection