King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 2:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 2:6 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Chronicles 2:6 · KJV


Context

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. to grave: Heb. to grave gravings

8

Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, algum: or, Almuggim, I.Kin.10.11.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Solomon's rhetorical question 'But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?' expresses proper theological understanding of divine transcendence. God is omnipresent (1 Kings 8:27) - no physical structure can 'contain' Him. Yet paradoxically, God condescends to dwell among His people. The phrase 'who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?' acknowledges human limitation while affirming God's gracious accommodation. The temple's purpose is worship (sacrifice) not housing God. This tension between transcendence and immanence finds resolution in Christ, the true temple who is fully God yet dwelling among us.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's letter to Hiram of Tyre (c. 967 BCE) requesting cedar demonstrates the temple project's international scope. Acknowledging God's transcendence to a pagan king served apologetic purposes, distinguishing YHWH from local deities supposedly bound to shrines.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you hold in tension God's transcendence (beyond all creation) and His immanence (dwelling with His people)?
  2. What does Christ's incarnation teach about God's willingness to dwell with humanity despite our unworthiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וּמִ֤י1 of 22
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַֽעֲצָר2 of 22

But who is able

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

כֹּ֙חַ֙3 of 22
H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

אֶבְנֶה4 of 22

him who am I then that I should build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

ל֣וֹ5 of 22
H0
בַ֔יִת6 of 22

him an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֧י7 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם8 of 22

and heaven

H8064

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

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם9 of 22

and heaven

H8064

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

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם10 of 22

and heaven

H8064

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

לֹ֣א11 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ12 of 22

cannot contain

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

וּמִ֤י13 of 22
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֲנִי֙14 of 22
H589

i

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶבְנֶה16 of 22

him who am I then that I should build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לּ֣וֹ17 of 22
H0
בַ֔יִת18 of 22

him an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֖י19 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם20 of 22

save only

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לְהַקְטִ֥יר21 of 22

to burn sacrifice

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

לְפָנָֽיו׃22 of 22

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


Study Guide

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 2:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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