Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him? New Living Translation But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him? English Standard Version But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? Berean Standard Bible But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? King James Bible 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? New King James Version But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him? New American Standard Bible But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? And who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him? NASB 1995 “But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him? NASB 1977 “But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him? Legacy Standard Bible But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him? Amplified Bible But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens and [even] the highest heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I to build a house for Him, except [as a place] to burn incense before Him? Christian Standard Bible But who is able to build a temple for him, since even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain him? Who am I then that I should build a temple for him except as a place to burn incense before him? Holman Christian Standard Bible But who is able to build a temple for Him, since even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Him? Who am I then that I should build a temple for Him except as a place to burn incense before Him? American Standard Version But who is able to build him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn incense before him? Contemporary English Version No one can ever build a temple large enough for God--even the heavens are too small a place for him to live in! All I can do is build a place where we can offer sacrifices to him. English Revised Version But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn incense before him? GOD'S WORD® Translation But who is able to build him a temple when heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold him? Who am I to build him a temple except as a place to sacrifice in his presence? Good News Translation Yet no one can really build a temple for God, because even all the vastness of heaven cannot contain him. How then can I build a temple that would be anything more than a place to burn incense to God? International Standard Version But who can build a temple for him, since neither heaven nor the highest of the heavens can contain him? So who am I, that I should build a temple to him, except to burn incense in his presence? Majority Standard Bible But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? NET Bible Of course, who can really build a temple for him, since the sky and the highest heavens cannot contain him? Who am I that I should build him a temple! It will really be only a place to offer sacrifices before him. New Heart English Bible But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him? Webster's Bible Translation But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? World English Bible But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him? Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand who retains strength to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the heavens of the heavens, do not contain Him? And who [am] I that I build a house for Him, except to make incense before Him? Young's Literal Translation and who doth retain strength to build to Him a house, for the heavens, even the heavens of the heavens, do not contain Him? and who am I that I do build to Him a house, except to make perfume before Him? Smith's Literal Translation For who shall retain power to build for him a house? for the heavens and the heavens of the heavens shall not contain him: and who am I who shall build to him a house but to burn incense before him? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho then can be able to build him a worthy house? if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain him: who am I that I should be able to build him a house? but to this end only, that incense may be burnt before him. Catholic Public Domain Version So then, who will be able prevail, so that he may build a worthy house for him? If heaven and the heavens of heavens cannot contain him, what am I that I would be able to build a house to him? But let it be for this only, so that incense may be burned before him. New American Bible Yet who is really able to build him a house, since the heavens and even the highest heavens cannot contain him? And who am I that I should build him a house, unless it be to offer incense in his presence? New Revised Standard Version But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house or burn sweet incense before him? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And who has power in him to build a house for him, for Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens do not contain him, and who am I considered that I would build him a house, or that I would bring forth to him censers of sweet incense? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But who is able to build Him a house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? who am I then, that I should build Him a house, save only to offer before Him? Brenton Septuagint Translation And who will be able to build him a house? for the heaven and heaven of heavens do not bear his glory: and who am I, that I should build him a house, save only to burn incense before him? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Preparations for the Temple…5The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? 7Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.… Cross References 1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. Isaiah 66:1-2 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. Acts 7:48-50 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’ Psalm 113:5-6 Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? / He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ... Jeremiah 23:24 “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. 1 Kings 8:43 then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. Acts 17:24-25 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Psalm 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind. Job 11:7-9 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Psalm 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You. John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Romans 11:33-36 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ... Treasury of Scripture 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? But who 2 Chronicles 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! 1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? Exodus 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 2 Samuel 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? save only Deuteronomy 12:5,6,11,14,26 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: … Jump to Previous Able Build Burn Contain Enough Except Heaven Heavens Highest House Incense Offer Resting-Place Retain Sacrifice Sacrifices Save Strength Temple WideJump to Next Able Build Burn Contain Enough Except Heaven Heavens Highest House Incense Offer Resting-Place Retain Sacrifice Sacrifices Save Strength Temple Wide2 Chronicles 2 1. Solomon's laborers for the building of the temple3. His ambassage to Huram for workmen and provisions 11. Huram sends him a kind answer 17 But who is able to build a house for Him This phrase reflects Solomon's humility and recognition of God's transcendence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, building a temple was a significant act, often seen as a way to house a deity. However, Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be confined to a physical structure. This echoes the sentiment found in 1 Kings 8:27, where Solomon questions whether God can truly dwell on earth. It highlights the biblical theme of God's omnipresence and the inadequacy of human efforts to contain Him. since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel, son of David, who is tasked with building the temple for the Lord. He acknowledges his own limitations and the greatness of God. 2. The Temple The house Solomon intends to build for the Lord, which serves as a place for worship and sacrifices. 3. Heavens and Highest Heavens Refers to the vastness of God's creation, emphasizing His omnipresence and the inability of any physical structure to contain Him. 4. Sacrifices The offerings made to God, which were central to the worship practices of Israel and symbolized atonement and dedication to God. 5. Hiram, King of Tyre Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he plays a significant role in providing materials and skilled labor for the temple's construction. Teaching Points God's Transcendence and ImmanenceGod is beyond our full comprehension and cannot be confined to any physical space. Yet, He chooses to dwell among His people, showing His desire for relationship. Humility in Service Like Solomon, we must recognize our limitations and approach our service to God with humility, understanding that it is a privilege to serve Him. Purpose of Worship Worship is not about containing God but about offering our lives as living sacrifices, acknowledging His greatness and our dependence on Him. The Role of Sacrifices In the Old Testament, sacrifices were a way to atone for sin and express devotion. Today, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices through our lives and actions. God's Presence in Our Lives While God cannot be contained in a building, He dwells within us through the Holy Spirit, making our bodies His temple.(6) But who is able.--Literally, who could keep strength? (See 1Chronicles 29:14.) The heaven . . . cannot contain him.--This high thought occurs in Solomon's prayer (1Kings 8:27; 2Chronicles 6:18). Who am I then . . . before him?--That is, I am not so ignorant of the infinite nature of Deity, as to think of localising it within an earthly dwelling. I build not for His residence, but for His worship and service. (Comp. Isaiah 40:22.) To burn sacrifice.--Literally, to burn incense. Here, as in 2Chronicles 2:4, used in a general sense. . . . Hebrew But whoוּמִ֤י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix is able יַעֲצָר־ (ya·‘ă·ṣār-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble to build לִבְנֽוֹת־ (liḇ·nō·wṯ-) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1129: To build a house בַ֔יִת (ḇa·yiṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house for Him, ל֣וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew since כִּ֧י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the heavens, הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky even the highest heavens, וּשְׁמֵ֥י (ū·šə·mê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky cannot לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no contain Him? יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ (yə·ḵal·kə·lu·hū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain Who then וּמִ֤י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix am I, אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I that אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I should build אֶבְנֶה־ (’eḇ·neh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1129: To build a house בַ֔יִת (ḇa·yiṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house for Him, לּ֣וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew except [as a place] כִּ֖י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction to burn sacrifices לְהַקְטִ֥יר (lə·haq·ṭîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire before Him? לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face Links 2 Chronicles 2:6 NIV2 Chronicles 2:6 NLT 2 Chronicles 2:6 ESV 2 Chronicles 2:6 NASB 2 Chronicles 2:6 KJV 2 Chronicles 2:6 BibleApps.com 2 Chronicles 2:6 Biblia Paralela 2 Chronicles 2:6 Chinese Bible 2 Chronicles 2:6 French Bible 2 Chronicles 2:6 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build him (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
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