The Ark Installed and Solomon's Dedication Prayer
2 Chronicles 5:2-6:11
2 C.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- יקהיל: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- המטות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נשיאי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להעלות: VERB,hiphil,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מעיר: PREP
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:1 (verbal): Direct parallel in the Deuteronomistic/Chronistic tradition: Solomon assembles the elders and chiefs to bring up the ark to the temple—very close wording and narrative role.
- 2 Samuel 6:2 (structural): Earlier account of bringing the ark from the house of Obed‑edom to Jerusalem under David—same action (bringing the ark to Zion) and setting for the later temple installation.
- 1 Chronicles 15:1 (structural): Chronicle's earlier chapter describing David's assembly of Israel to bring the ark to Jerusalem; provides the precedent and earlier liturgical/ceremonial preparations for moving the ark.
- Joshua 3:3–4 (thematic): Describes the procession of the ark leading Israel and marking a sacred movement to a new place of God’s presence—parallels the theme of moving the ark into its proper dwelling.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the ancestral houses, the chiefs of the fathers' tribes of the sons of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which is Zion.
- Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribal divisions—the leaders of the ancestral houses of the people of Israel—to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion.
2 C.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקהלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחג: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- החדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השבעי: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:2 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the same event: all the elders/men of Israel assembled to Solomon at the festival in the seventh month when the ark was brought into the temple.
- Leviticus 23:34 (verbal): Legal description of the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) in the seventh month—identifies the festival setting (the ‘seventh month’ feast) mentioned in 2 Chr 5:3.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (thematic): Commands rejoicing and appearing before the LORD at the Feast of Booths in the seventh month—explains the expected national assembly and festival observance reflected in 2 Chr 5:3.
- 2 Chronicles 7:8 (structural): Later summary of the dedication festival and solemn assemblies around Solomon’s temple dedication, showing the broader festival/dedication context that includes the gathering described in 2 Chr 5:3.
- 2 Samuel 6:2 (thematic): Earlier royal/tribal precedent: David and all Israel assembling to bring up the ark—parallels the motif of the nation assembling with its king for a cultic/ark-related event.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the congregation of Israel gathered to the king at the feast in the seventh month.
- All the men of Israel assembled to the king at the festival in the seventh month.
2 C.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:6 (verbal): Parallel narrative of bringing the ark into the temple; similar wording about the priests/Levites lifting and bringing the ark.
- 1 Chronicles 15:15 (verbal): Describes the Levites carrying the ark with the appointed poles—directly parallels the action and agents (Levites) in 2 Chronicles.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (thematic): Establishes the Levites' divinely appointed role to carry the ark, providing the legal/background rationale for the Levites' action here.
- Joshua 3:3 (thematic): Priests carrying the ark before the people during a national religious event (crossing the Jordan), thematically parallel to bringing the ark into the temple as a communal, liturgical act.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites carried the ark.
- All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites carried the ark.
2 C.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- באהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העלו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:4 (verbal): Direct parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history: Solomon brings up the Ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels into the temple—language and sequence closely correspond.
- 2 Samuel 6:17 (structural): David's earlier bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem: priests and Levites accompany the procession and set the Ark in its place, providing the narrative precedent for the cultic transfer in Chronicles.
- Numbers 4:15 (thematic): Law concerning the Levites' duty to carry the holy objects of the tabernacle; supplies the cultic/functional background for why priests and Levites bear the Ark and vessels.
- Exodus 40:20-21 (allusion): The placing of the Ark in the Tent of Meeting and the arrangement of the sacred furnishings in the sanctuary form the ritual and theological background for the Ark/Tent terminology used in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- They brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.
- They brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.
2 C.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנועדים: ADJ,ptc,m,pl,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מזבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובקר: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יספרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- ימנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:63 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Solomon and all Israel offering countless sacrifices at the temple dedication; closely corresponds in wording and event.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1-5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the dedication narrative: large-scale sacrificial worship at the temple and divine acceptance (fire from heaven), structurally linked to 5:6.
- Numbers 7:1-11, 88 (structural): Princes of Israel bring sacrificial offerings for the dedication of the tabernacle/altar—an earlier, structural precedent for numerous, communal dedication sacrifices.
- Leviticus 9:4-6, 22-24 (thematic): Priestly inauguration sacrifices at the tabernacle and the subsequent manifestation of the LORD’s glory; thematically parallels priestly offerings and divine presence at Solomon’s dedication.
Alternative generated candidates
- King Solomon and all the assembly that had gathered before the ark sacrificed sheep and oxen without number; there could be no counting nor numbering for the multitude.
- King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who had assembled before the ark sacrificed sheep and oxen in such abundance that they could not be counted or numbered.
2 C.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויביאו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מקומו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m
- אל: NEG
- דביר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הקדשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- תחת: PREP
- כנפי: NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- הכרובים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:6 (quotation): Direct parallel narrative of bringing the ark into Solomon’s temple; repeats the language about placing the ark in the Most Holy Place under the wings of the cherubim.
- Exodus 25:17-22 (verbal): Priestly instructions for the ark and mercy seat, including the cherubim on the cover and God’s presence 'between the cherubim'—the theological/ritual background for placing the ark 'under the wings of the cherubim.'
- 2 Chronicles 3:10-13 (structural): Earlier description within Chronicles of the two great cherubim carved for the inner sanctuary and their wings; provides the architectural/ceremonial context for where the ark was set.
- 1 Chronicles 15:1-15 (thematic): Davidic account of priests and Levites bringing and setting the ark in its place; thematically parallels priestly handling and relocation of the ark before its installation in Solomon’s temple.
Alternative generated candidates
- The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, to the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim.
- The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, to the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim.
2 C.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכרובים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- פרשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כנפים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויכסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הכרובים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- בדיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON:3ms
- מלמעלה: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 25:18-20 (verbal): God's instructions for crafting two cherubim with outstretched wings above the mercy seat — the prototype for the cherubim that cover the ark.
- Exodus 37:7-9 (verbal): The artisan Bezaleel's making of the ark with cherubim whose wings overshadow the mercy seat, repeating the Exodus command in the ark's construction narrative.
- 1 Kings 8:7-8 (structural): Parallel narrative of the placement of the ark and the cherubim in Solomon's temple; closely parallels Chronicles' account of the ark and the cherubim's wings.
- 2 Chronicles 3:11-13 (structural): Earlier description within Chronicles of the two large cherubim in the inner sanctuary whose wings filled the house — an immediate literary parallel and buildup to 5:8.
- Hebrews 9:5 (quotation): New Testament reference to 'cherubim of glory' overshadowing the mercy seat — explicitly alludes to the same liturgical/ritual imagery of the ark's covering.
Alternative generated candidates
- The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the poles above.
- The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim covered the ark and the poles from above.
2 C.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאריכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הדביר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- יראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- החוצה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 25:20 (verbal): God's command to fashion two cherubim with wings overshadowing the mercy seat — the originary instruction behind the cherubim described over the ark.
- Exodus 37:7-9 (verbal): Description of the golden cherubim placed on the ark whose wings overshadowed the mercy seat, closely paralleling the physical detail in 2 Chronicles.
- 1 Kings 8:6-7 (structural): Account of bringing the ark into Solomon's temple and placing it with the cherubim's wings overshadowing the ark, echoing the Chronicles’ report of their orientation and presence.
- 2 Chronicles 3:11 (structural): Earlier description in Chronicles of the temple cherubim (their size and wingspan) that provides the architectural context for the cherubim seen over the ark in 5:9.
- Hebrews 9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, alluding to the same cultic feature described in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- The poles were so long that the heads of the poles were seen from the inner sanctuary before the holy place, but they could not be seen from outside; and they are there to this day.
- The poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from before the inner sanctuary but could not be seen from outside; they remain there to this day.
2 C.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אין: PART,neg
- בארון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- הלחות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כרת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצאתם: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:9 (quotation): Nearly identical wording — states that nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses placed there at Horeb when the LORD made a covenant with Israel after the exodus.
- Exodus 40:20 (verbal): Reports Moses putting the 'testimony' (the tablets) into the ark, paralleling Chronicles' statement about the ark's sole contents.
- Deuteronomy 10:4-5 (allusion): Narrates Moses' placing of the two stone tablets in the ark at the LORD’s command, underscoring the origin and placement of the covenant tablets referenced in Chronicles.
- Exodus 31:18 (thematic): Describes God giving Moses two tablets of testimony, written by the 'finger of God' — thematically linked to Chronicles' identification of the tablets as the covenant given at Horeb.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was nothing in the ark but the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.
- There was nothing in the ark but the two tablets of stone that Moses put there—tablets on which the covenant that the LORD made with the people of Israel at their going out of Egypt was written.
2 C.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בצאת: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנמצאים: ADJ,part,m,pl,def
- התקדשו: VERB,hitpael,impv,2,m,pl
- אין: PART,neg
- לשמור: VERB,qal,inf
- למחלקות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 (verbal): Parallel dedication narrative — when the priests came out of the holy place the glory/filling of the LORD occurs and normal priestly service is interrupted; Chronicles echoes the same wording and situation.
- 1 Chronicles 15:12 (verbal): Similar language: 'the priests and Levites sanctified themselves' for a special cultic action (bringing the ark), showing precedent for all priests consecrating themselves for a solemn rite.
- 1 Chronicles 24:3,19 (structural): Lists the divisions (courses) of the priests established by David — provides the normal background of 'keeping to their courses' which Chronicles 5:11 says was suspended during the dedication.
- Leviticus 8:30 (allusion): Mosaic regulations for consecrating priests (Moses anointing and consecrating Aaron and his sons) — background for the phrase that 'all the priests were consecrated' before performing the temple service.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the priests came out of the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves and did not keep to their divisions),
- When the priests came out of the holy place—for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves and did not observe their divisions—the Levites...
2 C.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- המשררים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לכלם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאסף: VERB,qal,inf
- להימן: VERB,qal,inf
- לידתון: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולבניהם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ולאחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מלבשים: VERB,piel,part,m,pl
- בוץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במצלתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובנבלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכנרות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- מזרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למזבח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועמהם: PREP
- כהנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למאה: NUM,m,sg,abs
- ועשרים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- מחצרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בחצצרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chr 15:16-22 (verbal): Describes the same musicians (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons/brethren), instruments (cymbals, psalteries, harps) and priests blowing trumpets when bringing up the ark—close verbal and narrative parallel.
- 1 Chr 25:1-7 (structural): Records David's formal organization of the musical families (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) into divisions for temple service—background organizational parallel to the roster in 2 Chr 5:12.
- 1 Chr 16:4-7 (verbal): David appoints Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun as leaders of music with cymbals and trumpets for thanksgiving—parallels personnel and liturgical function.
- Ps 150:3-5 (thematic): Calls for praise with trumpet, psaltery, harp and cymbals—echoes the same suite of temple instruments and the theme of musical worship.
- 2 Chr 29:25-30 (thematic): Hezekiah's restoration of temple worship includes Levites standing in their offices with cymbals, harps and lyres and priests with trumpets—parallels ritual placement and instruments in temple liturgy.
Alternative generated candidates
- the Levites who were the singers—Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun—and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood opposite the altar; and with them the priests, clothed with trumpets, were one hundred and twenty who sounded with trumpets.
- Now the Levite singers—Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun—and their sons and kinsmen were arrayed in fine linen with cymbals, harps, and lyres; and the priests stood in white garments with trumpets east of the altar, and with them were one hundred and twenty priests sounding trumpets.
2 C.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאחד: PREP
- למחצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולמשררים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להשמיע: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- להלל: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ולהדות: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכהרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחצצרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובמצלתים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובכלי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- השיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובהלל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חסדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- והבית: NOUN,m,sg,def,pref:v
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- ענן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 (structural): Parallel narrative of the temple dedication: when the priests and Levites praised with one voice the glory/cloud of the LORD filled the house (same event told in Kings).
- Ezra 3:10-11 (verbal): At the laying of the second temple’s foundation the singers and trumpeters praised with the same refrain, 'For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever,' and the people gave a great shout—verbal and liturgical correspondence.
- Psalm 136:1 (verbal): Exact liturgical language: 'O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever' is the refrain echoed in the Chronicles dedication.
- Psalm 150:3-5 (thematic): A call to praise God with trumpet, harp, cymbals and other instruments—parallels the catalogue of trumpets, cymbals and musical instruments used to praise the LORD in 2 Chr 5:13.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1 (structural): Immediate thematic continuation in Chronicles: the LORD’s glory fills the temple (here as fire/cloud), closely related to the cloud filling the house at the praise in 5:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- It came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets, cymbals, and instruments of music, praising the LORD, saying, "For he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever," that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud.
- When the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and giving thanks to the LORD—when they lifted up their voice with trumpets, cymbals, and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever”—the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud.
2 C.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לעמוד: VERB,qal,inf
- לשרת: VERB,qal,inf
- מפני: PREP
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 (quotation): Same scene in Solomon's dedication: the house is filled with a cloud and the priests cannot minister because the glory of the LORD fills the house — near-verbatim parallel to 2 Chr 5:14.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (verbal): At the inauguration of the tabernacle the cloud covers the tent and the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle; Moses cannot enter because the cloud abides — similar language and theological motif of God's presence preventing normal service.
- Ezekiel 43:4-5 (thematic): In Ezekiel's temple-vision the glory of the God of Israel returns and fills the house, emphasizing the theme of divine glory filling the sanctuary as in 2 Chr 5:14.
- Isaiah 6:4 (thematic): Isaiah's vision describes the temple shaken and the house filled with smoke at God's appearance, a related motif of overwhelming divine presence in the sanctuary that affects worshipers' ability to serve.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
- And the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
2 C.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לשכון: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בערפל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:10-12 (quotation): Parallel and near‑verbatim passage in the Deuteronomistic history: after the cloud fills the temple Solomon declares that the LORD said he would dwell in thick darkness.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (thematic): The cloud and the glory of the LORD filling the tabernacle—precedent for the motif of God’s presence dwelling in a cloud/darkness over a sanctuary.
- Psalm 97:2 (verbal): Uses the closely related phrase 'clouds and thick darkness are round about him,' echoing the language of God’s dwelling in darkness.
- Psalm 18:11 (allusion): Imagery of God making darkness his secret place and surrounding himself with thick clouds—similar theological motif of God’s hidden, cloud‑enshrouded presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Solomon said, "The LORD said he would dwell in thick darkness."
- Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he will dwell in thick darkness.
2 C.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- בניתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ומכון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשבתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עולמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:13 (quotation): Solomon's dedication prayer in 1 Kings repeats the same claim—he has built a house for the LORD and a place for his dwelling, a near-verbatim parallel to 2 Chron 6:2.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD choosing Zion and making it his permanent dwelling—'I will dwell there for ever,' echoing the idea of a dwelling place forever.
- 1 Chronicles 28:2-3 (allusion): David recounts that building a house for the LORD was in his heart but that God ordained Solomon to build it—background to Solomon's statement about having built 'a place for thy dwelling.'
- 1 Chronicles 22:7-10 (thematic): David charges Solomon to build the house of the LORD and presents the project as the fulfillment of God's plan—the same temple-building theme behind 2 Chr 6:2.
- Exodus 25:8 (structural): God's instruction 'let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them' provides the foundational purpose for the temple as God's dwelling, which 2 Chr 6:2 affirms.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I have built a house of habitation for you and a place for you to dwell in forever.
- Yet I have built a house for you, a place for your dwelling forever.”
2 C.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ויברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- קהל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- קהל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עומד: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:22 (structural): Solomon standing before the altar in the presence of all Israel — the parallel account of the king addressing/blessing the assembly at the temple dedication.
- 1 Chronicles 29:20-22 (thematic): David blesses the people and the congregation responds (blessing the king/God) — similar ritual posture and corporate response of the assembly.
- Nehemiah 8:6 (thematic): Ezra blesses the LORD and the people respond with acclamation and reverence — parallels the leader’s blessing and the assembled people’s reverent reaction.
- Luke 24:50 (thematic): Jesus lifts up his hands and blesses his disciples — a New Testament instance of a leader blessing the gathered followers, echoing the motif of benediction over an assembly.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king turned his face and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel stood.
- Then the king turned his face and blessed the whole assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.
2 C.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m
- את: PRT,acc
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ובידיו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,pr3ms
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:15 (verbal): Almost identical wording in Solomon's dedication speech: praises Yahweh for fulfilling by hand what he spoke concerning David (direct parallel in the Deuteronomistic account).
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The original promise to David about an everlasting house and throne — the promise Solomon cites as now fulfilled by God.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (allusion): Speaks of God’s covenantal promise to David ('I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant'), which Solomon invokes as now being accomplished.
- Psalm 132:11 (verbal): God's oath to David to set one of his offspring on the throne — a concise reaffirmation of the Davidic promise Solomon refers to.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his mouth spoke to David my father and with his hand has fulfilled it, saying,
- And he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has with his mouth spoken to David my father and fulfilled it with his hand, saying:
2 C.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מן: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוצאתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- בחרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- שם: ADV
- ולא: CONJ
- בחרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- באיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- נגיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:16 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel in Solomon's dedication prayer in Kings: the same claim that since the exodus God had not chosen a city to put his name nor a man to be prince over Israel.
- 2 Samuel 7:6-7 (allusion): Related tradition in the Davidic covenant: God speaks of not having a fixed house/temple since bringing Israel out of Egypt and about divine choice of Israel's ruler—background for Solomon's temple plea.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 (thematic): Law text articulating the idea of a single place 'that the LORD your God will choose to make his name dwell,' providing theological background for concerns about the location of God's name/dwelling.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (thematic): Psalmic affirmation that the LORD has chosen Zion as his dwelling place—serves as a later theological resolution to the earlier claim that God had no fixed city for his name.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'From the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that my name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be ruler over my people Israel;'
- ‘From the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city from among all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house to bear my name, and I chose no man to be ruler over my people Israel;’
2 C.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואבחר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- שם: ADV
- ואבחר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- בדויד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- על: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:16-18 (structural): Solomon’s temple-prayer in 1 Kings 8 parallels 2 Chronicles 6: both recount God’s choice of Jerusalem and David as part of the dedication speech (parallel tradition/structure).
- 2 Samuel 7:8 (quotation): God’s promise to David — 'I took you from the sheepfold... and made you ruler over my people Israel' — closely corresponds to the claim that God chose David to rule Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 17:4-5 (verbal): The Chronicler elsewhere repeats the divine commissioning language to David (the promise to establish his house and rule), echoing the choice of David mentioned in 2 Chr 6:6.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (verbal): Explicitly states 'For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling,' directly paralleling the claim that God chose Jerusalem for his name.
- Psalm 78:68 (thematic): Speaks of God choosing the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, thematically linking God’s selection of David’s tribe/royal city with 2 Chronicles’ statement that he chose Jerusalem and David.
Alternative generated candidates
- but I chose Jerusalem to be my name there, and I chose David to be over my people Israel.
- but I chose Jerusalem to be my dwelling place and I chose David to be over my people Israel.
2 C.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chr.28:3 (verbal): Directly parallels the statement that the LORD told David he would not build a house for God's name because he was 'a man of war' and connects the promise that David's son would build it.
- 1 Chr.22:8 (verbal): Repeats the divine prohibition that David not build the temple due to bloodshed and records David's preparations and commission of Solomon to build the house.
- 1 Kgs.8:17 (verbal): Solomon's dedication speech echoes the wording that 'my father David had it in his heart to build a house for the name of the LORD,' directly paralleling the motive attributed to David.
- 2 Sam.7:13 (quotation): God's promise that 'He shall build a house for my name' links the idea that David's offspring (Solomon) rather than David himself would build the temple.
- Ps.132:5-6 (thematic): Describes David's determined desire and vow to find a dwelling place for the LORD—thematically parallel to David's heartfelt intent to build a house for God's name.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- It was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 C.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,sg
- ה: PART
- טיבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:18 (quotation): Almost identical wording in Solomon’s temple prayer: God’s affirmation that David’s intent to build a house for Yahweh was good (direct parallel/quotation of the same tradition).
- 1 Chronicles 17:4-5 (structural): Part of the Nathan/God oracle in Chronicles that frames the issue of David’s desire to build a house for God — same narrative tradition explaining God’s response to David.
- 1 Chronicles 28:3 (thematic): Chronicles’ fuller treatment: God acknowledges David’s heart to build but explains David may not build because he was a man of war — contrasts God’s approval of the motive with the prohibition.
- Psalm 132:5 (thematic): Psalm describing David’s vow and zeal to find a dwelling place for the LORD (’I will not rest until I find a place for the LORD’) — echoes the theme of David’s devotion to establishing a house for God’s name.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to David my father, 'Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well in that it was in your heart.'
- And the LORD said to David my father, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
2 C.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תבנה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- בנך: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+poss,2,m,sg
- היוצא: PART,qal,ptcp,m,sg,def
- מחלציך: PREP,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יבנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (quotation): The foundational oracle given to David: God promises that David's offspring will build a house for God's name—this is the primary source behind Chronicles' statement.
- 1 Kings 8:17-19 (verbal): Solomon's dedication speech in Kings repeats the same idea that David was not to build the temple and that his son would build it; closely parallels the language and context of 2 Chronicles 6:9.
- 1 Kings 5:3 (verbal): Solomon summarizes God's instruction to David that he would not build the house because of warfare, but that his son (Solomon) would build the house—direct parallel to the Chronicler's remark.
- 1 Chronicles 22:8-10 (quotation): David's charge to Solomon repeats God's refusal for David to build the temple and the promise that David's son will build it; a Near-verbatim parallel in Chronicles' narrative tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet the LORD said to you, 'You shall not build the house; but your son who shall come from your loins, he shall build the house for my name.'"
- Only you shall not build the house; your son who will come forth from your loins shall build the house for my name.’
2 C.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- דברו: INF,qal,inf+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואקום: VERB,qal,imf,1,m,sg
- תחת: PREP
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ואשב: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואבנה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,sg
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:20 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — Solomon declares that the LORD has fulfilled His word, that he sits on David's throne and has built the house for the name of the LORD.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (quotation): The original divine promise to David that his offspring will be established on the throne and that his son will build a house for God's name — the covenant Solomon cites as fulfilled.
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 (allusion): Chronicles' retelling of the Nathanic promise to David, echoing the same themes of a son succeeding on the throne and building a house for God.
- Psalm 132:11-12 (thematic): Affirms God's oath to David that a descendant will sit on his throne and that God will choose Zion for His dwelling — thematically undergirds Solomon's claim of fulfilled promise.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD has performed his word that he spoke; for I have risen up in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- And the LORD has fulfilled his word which he spoke, for I have arisen to succeed David my father and to sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I will build the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 C.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- הארון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שם: ADV
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כרת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:9 (quotation): Direct parallel in Solomon's temple dedication: the ark is brought into the inner sanctuary and identified as containing the covenant (the two tablets). Chronicles here echoes Kings' wording and theological emphasis.
- 2 Samuel 6:17 (structural): Narrative of bringing the ark to its place in Jerusalem under David — parallels the motif of placing the ark in its designated, honored location prior to temple installation.
- Exodus 25:16,21 (verbal): God's instructions to put 'the testimony' (the tablets of the covenant) into the ark and to set the mercy seat above — establishes the ark's function as the repository of the covenant referenced in Chronicles 6:11.
- Deuteronomy 10:3-5 (verbal): Describes Moses placing the two tablets of the covenant into the ark, linking the ark explicitly with the covenant that God made with Israel, the very identification used in 2 Chronicles 6:11.
- Hebrews 9:4 (allusion): New Testament summary listing what was in the ark ('the golden censer, the manna, and the tablets of the covenant') — reflects later theological reflection on the ark as the container of the covenant referenced in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have set there the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with the people of Israel.
- And I will set there the ark in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel.”
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the ancestral tribes, the chiefs of the fathers' households of the people of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which is Zion.
All the assembly of Israel gathered to the king at the feast in the seventh month.
All the elders of Israel came; and the Levites carried up the ark.
They brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.
King Solomon and all the assembly that had gathered before the ark sacrificed sheep and oxen in such abundance that they could not be counted or numbered.
The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. And the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim covered the ark and the poles of it above.
The ends of the poles were seen from before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside; and they remain there to this day.
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses placed there, at the time the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.
When the priests came out of the Holy Place—for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, regardless of their divisions—
the Levites who were the singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, and their kindred, stood in their place, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres; and the trumpeters were all of the priests, a hundred and twenty in number, who sounded the trumpets.
As one they raised a single sound to give praise and thanksgiving to the LORD; and when the trumpets, cymbals, and instruments of music and the singers made themselves heard in praise to the LORD—'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever'—the house was filled with a cloud, the house of the LORD. So the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
Then Solomon said, 'The LORD said that he would dwell in thick darkness.' But I have built a house for you, a resting place for your dwelling forever. And the king turned his face and blessed the whole assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.
He said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his mouth spoke to David my father and with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
'From the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city from all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that my name might be there; nor did I choose any man to be ruler over my people Israel.'
'But I chose Jerusalem to be my name there, and I chose David to be ruler over my people Israel.'
'It was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.'
'And the LORD said to David my father, "Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you have done well that it was in your heart."'
'Nevertheless you shall not build the house; but your son who shall come forth from your loins shall build the house for my name.'
'And the LORD has fulfilled the word that he spoke; I have arisen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.'
'I have placed there the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel.'