2 Chronicles 5:14

Authorized King James Version

PDF

So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכְל֧וּ could H3201
יָכְל֧וּ could
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 2 of 14
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֛ים So that the priests H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֛ים So that the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 3 of 14
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לַֽעֲמ֥וֹד not stand H5975
לַֽעֲמ֥וֹד not stand
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 4 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְשָׁרֵ֖ת to minister H8334
לְשָׁרֵ֖ת to minister
Strong's: H8334
Word #: 5 of 14
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
מִפְּנֵ֣י by reason H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י by reason
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 6 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הֶֽעָנָ֑ן of the cloud H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֑ן of the cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 7 of 14
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָלֵ֥א had filled H4390
מָלֵ֥א had filled
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 9 of 14
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
כְבוֹד for the glory H3519
כְבוֹד for the glory
Strong's: H3519
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֥ית the house H1004
בֵּ֥ית the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 13 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

The climax of temple dedication: 'So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.' The divine glory (kavod YHWH) so overwhelmed the space that priests couldn't function. This manifestation validated the temple as God's dwelling place, echoing the tabernacle's dedication (Exodus 40:34-35). The inability to minister shows that divine presence transcends human activity - God's glory isn't produced by ritual but sovereignly given. This anticipates the greater glory when God's fullness dwells bodily in Christ (Colossians 2:9) and through the Spirit in believers corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Historical Context

This dramatic moment (c. 960 BCE) marked Israel's worship reaching its zenith. The Shekinah glory's visible manifestation, though eventually departing due to sin (Ezekiel 10), established the temple's legitimacy and shaped Israel's theology of divine presence for centuries.

Questions for Reflection