King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 7:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 7:3 in the King James Version says “And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed the... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:3 · KJV


Context

1

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

2

And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.

3

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

4

Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.

5

And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people's response to divine glory: 'And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.' Seeing God's glory produced immediate worship - bowing (kara), worshiping (hishtachavu), and praising (yadah). Their confession 'he is good; for his mercy endureth forever' became Israel's characteristic praise refrain. This demonstrates that encountering God's glory naturally produces humble worship and thanksgiving. The gospel produces similar response - seeing Christ's glory (John 1:14) leads to worship and proclamation of His goodness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The entire assembly's unified worship (c. 960 BCE) following the fire and glory created a defining moment in Israel's history. This mass recognition of God's presence and praise established patterns for subsequent generations of worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. When did you last encounter God's glory in a way that produced spontaneous worship and thanksgiving?
  2. How can corporate worship recapture the sense of encountering God's presence that leads to bowing in humble adoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְכֹ֣ל׀1 of 23
H3605

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

בְּנֵ֣י2 of 23

And when all the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל3 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

רֹאִים֙4 of 23

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְּרֶ֣דֶת5 of 23

came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הָאֵ֔שׁ6 of 23

how the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּכְב֥וֹד7 of 23

and the glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

לַֽיהוָה֙8 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

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

עַל9 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבָּ֑יִת10 of 23

upon the house

H1004

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

וַיִּכְרְעוּ֩11 of 23

they bowed

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

אַפַּ֨יִם12 of 23

themselves with their faces

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

אַ֤רְצָה13 of 23

to the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַל14 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָרִֽצְפָה֙15 of 23

upon the pavement

H7531

a hot stone; also a tessellated pavement

וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ16 of 23

and worshipped

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וְהֹד֤וֹת17 of 23

and praised

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

לַֽיהוָה֙18 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֣י19 of 23
H3588

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

ט֔וֹב20 of 23

saying For he is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּ֥י21 of 23
H3588

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

לְעוֹלָ֖ם22 of 23

endureth for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּֽוֹ׃23 of 23

for his mercy

H2617

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


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 7:3 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 7:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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