King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 2:4 Mean?

“Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. sweet: Heb. incense of spices”

Context

And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. Huram: or, Hiram

Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. sweet: Heb. incense of spices

And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

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? is able: Heb. hath retained, or, obtained strength

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **I build.**—*Am about to build* (*bôneh*)*.* **To the name of the Lord.**—1Kings 3:2; 1Chronicles 16:35; 1Chronicles 22:7. **To dedicate.**—Or, *consecrate.* (Comp. Leviticus 27:14; 1Kings 9:3; 1Kings 9:7.) The italicised *and* should be omitted, as the following words define the purpose of the dedication, viz., *for burning before him,* &c. Comp. Vulgate: “Ut consecrem eam ad adolendum incensum coram illo.” (See Exodus 25:6; Exodus 30:7-8.) **And for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings.**—In the Hebrew this is loosely connected with the verb rendered *to burn,* as part of its object: *for* *offering before him incense of spices and a continual pile* (of shewbread) *and burnt offerings.* (See Leviticus 24:5; Leviticus 24:8; Numbers 28:4.) **On** **the** **sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn** **feasts.**—1Chronicles 23:31. “Solemn feasts:” *set seasons.* These special sacrifices are prescribed in Numbers 28:9 to Numbers 29:40 **This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.**—Literally, *for ever this is* (is obligatory) *upon Israel,* viz., this ordinance of offerings. (Comp. the similar phrase, 1Chronicles 23:31; and the formula, “a statute for ever,” so common in the Law, Exodus 12:14; Exodus 29:9.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 2:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.