King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 6:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 6:14 in the King James Version says “And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and s...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

2 Chronicles 6:14 · King James Version

Context

12

And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:

13

For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, long: Heb. the length thereof, etc

14

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:

15

Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

16

Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. There: Heb. There shall not a man be cut off

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's covenant-keeping and mercy-showing character provide confidence for your prayers?
  2. What does 'walking before God with all your heart' practically require in your daily life?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר1 of 17

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֞ה2 of 17

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהִ֔ים3 of 17

“God”

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙4 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֵין5 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כָּמ֣וֹךָ6 of 17
H3644

as, thus, so

אֱלֹהִ֔ים7 of 17

“God”

H430

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

בַּשָּׁמַ֖יִם8 of 17

“like thee in the 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

וּבָאָ֑רֶץ9 of 17

“nor in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שֹׁמֵ֤ר10 of 17

“which keepest”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַבְּרִית֙11 of 17

“covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד12 of 17

“and shewest mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לַֽעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ13 of 17

“unto thy servants”

H5650

a servant

הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים14 of 17

“that walk”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֶ֖יךָ15 of 17

“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

בְּכָל16 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לִבָּֽם׃17 of 17

“thee with all their hearts”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 15:11Deuteronomy 7:91 Thessalonians 2:12Nehemiah 1:5Psalms 89:28Luke 1:54-55

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