2 Chronicles 8:12

Authorized King James Version

Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָ֣ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#2
הֶֽעֱלָ֧ה
offered
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה
Then Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#4
עֹל֖וֹת
burnt offerings
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#5
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
עַ֚ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
מִזְבַּ֣ח
on the altar
an altar
#8
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
בָּנָ֖ה
which he had built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#11
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#12
הָֽאוּלָֽם׃
the porch
a vestibule (as bound to the building)

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 divine sovereignty 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection