2 Chronicles 6:14

Authorized King James Version

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And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר And said H559
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר And said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֞ה O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֞ה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֔ים God H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 17
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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֵין H369
אֵין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 5 of 17
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
כָּמ֣וֹךָ H3644
כָּמ֣וֹךָ
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 6 of 17
as, thus, so
אֱלֹהִ֔ים God H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 17
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
בַּשָּׁמַ֖יִם like thee in the heaven H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֖יִם like thee in the heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 8 of 17
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
וּבָאָ֑רֶץ nor in the earth H776
וּבָאָ֑רֶץ nor in the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
שֹׁמֵ֤ר which keepest H8104
שֹׁמֵ֤ר which keepest
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 10 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הַבְּרִית֙ covenant H1285
הַבְּרִית֙ covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 11 of 17
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד and shewest mercy H2617
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד and shewest mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 12 of 17
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לַֽעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ unto thy servants H5650
לַֽעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ unto thy servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 13 of 17
a servant
הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים that walk H1980
הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים that walk
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 14 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנֶ֖יךָ before H6440
לְפָנֶ֖יךָ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 15 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לִבָּֽם׃ thee with all their hearts H3820
לִבָּֽם׃ thee with all their hearts
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 17 of 17
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Analysis & Commentary

Solomon's prayer begins: 'And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts.' The declaration of YHWH's uniqueness ('no God like thee') establishes monotheistic foundation. The two divine attributes emphasized are covenant-keeping (shomer habrit) and mercy-showing (chesed). These aren't abstract qualities but are demonstrated toward 'thy servants who walk before thee with all their hearts' - those in covenant relationship exhibiting wholehearted devotion. This teaches that God's faithfulness and mercy operate within covenant framework, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who secures the covenant through His blood.

Historical Context

Solomon's dedicatory prayer (c. 960 BCE) established theological framework for temple worship. His emphasis on covenant and mercy reflected Deuteronomic theology while appealing to God's character as basis for confidence in prayer.

Questions for Reflection