The Lord Fills the Temple and the Dedication Festival
2 Chronicles 7:1-10
2 C.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וככלות: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- להתפלל: VERB,hitp,inf
- והאש: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ירדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מהשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- והזבחים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכבוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:11 (quotation): Nearly identical account: after Solomon's prayer fire came down from heaven, consumed the offerings, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple (direct literary parallel).
- Leviticus 9:23-24 (verbal): At the inaugural sacrifice fire from the LORD consumed the offering and the glory of the LORD appeared to the people—language and cultic motif echoed in Chronicles 7:1.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (structural): At the dedication of the tabernacle the cloud and the glory of the LORD filled the dwelling-place, preventing Moses from entering—same structural theme of divine presence filling a consecrated sanctuary.
- Exodus 29:43-44 (thematic): God’s promise to meet with Israel and sanctify the tabernacle so that His glory will dwell there provides the theological background for the Chronicles report of divine glory filling the temple.
- Haggai 2:7-9 (thematic): Prophetic assurance that the latter temple will be filled with greater glory echoes the motif of God’s glory filling the temple at its dedication.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
- When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2 C.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- 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
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:11 (quotation): Nearly identical parallel account of Solomon's temple dedication: the glory of the LORD fills the house so that the ministers/priest could not enter.
- Exodus 40:34–35 (verbal): The cloud and glory of the LORD fill the tabernacle, and Moses is unable to enter—uses similar language and motif of divine glory preventing entry.
- Ezekiel 43:5 (verbal): Prophetic description: 'the glory of the LORD filled the house'—the same formulaic wording emphasizing the presence of God's glory in the sanctuary.
- Isaiah 6:3–4 (thematic): Isaiah's temple vision depicts God's overwhelming holiness/glory filling the temple and provoking a dramatic response (shaking, smoke), thematically akin to a divine presence that renders direct access impossible.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
- And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
2 C.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראים: VERB,qal,part,?,m,pl
- ברדת: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וכבוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויכרעו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הרצפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והודות: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- 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
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (thematic): Describes the glory of the LORD filling the temple and the priests'/people's overwhelmed worship—parallel theophany and liturgical response to God's presence.
- Psalm 136:1 (verbal): Gives the exact liturgical refrain, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever,” which 2 Chr 7:3 echoes verbatim.
- Psalm 118:1 (verbal): Contains the same thanksgiving formula used by the assembly in 2 Chr 7:3, reflecting the wider liturgical tradition of praise for God’s enduring steadfast love.
- Ezra 3:11 (verbal): At the foundation-laying the people sing and give thanks with the identical refrain, showing the same temple-related thanksgiving formula and communal worship response.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the sons of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the house; they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
- When all the children of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the house, they fell on their faces to the ground and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 C.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:64 (verbal): Direct parallel in the Deuteronomistic account of the temple dedication: 'Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.'
- 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (structural): Earlier part of the Chronicles dedication narrative: priestly/Levite liturgy, sacrificial activity and the cloud/glory filling the house—same cultic framework and communal worship leading into 7:4.
- Leviticus 9:22-24 (thematic): Inaugural priestly sacrifices under Aaron: priests offer sacrifices, the glory of the LORD appears and the people respond—parallels the pattern of offerings and divine presence at a dedication.
- 1 Chronicles 29:21 (verbal): At David's concluding cultic acts the king and the assembly offer sacrifices before the LORD—another royal-led communal offering comparable to 2 Chr 7:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
- And the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
2 C.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזבח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- וצאן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ועשרים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ויחנכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:63 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Solomon's offerings for the temple dedication, giving the same sacrificial activity and linking king, people, and consecration.
- 1 Kings 8:65-66 (structural): Continues the parallel dedication narrative (feast and consecration), situating the large-scale sacrifices within the seven-/fourteen-day festival described in Kings.
- 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (thematic): Internal parallel within Chronicles describing the temple dedication rites—priests/Levites' praise and God's manifest presence—providing the immediate liturgical context for the sacrifices and consecration.
- Numbers 7:84 (structural): Summarizes the leaders' offerings for the dedication of the altar; a thematic/structural parallel in which dedication is marked by enumerated, large-scale sacrificial gifts.
Alternative generated candidates
- King Solomon offered twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep as burnt offerings; thus the king and all the people consecrated the house of God.
- Solomon offered twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred twenty thousand sheep; the king and all the people consecrated the house of God.
2 C.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- משמרותם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3mp
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בכלי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להדות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חסדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בהלל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- והכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מחצרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נגדם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Chr.15:16-24 (structural): David appoints Levites as singers and places musical instruments 'which David made' to give thanks and praise—same arrangement and function of Levites and music found in 2 Chr 7:6.
- 1 Chr.16:4-7,34 (verbal): David assigns Levites 'to minister before the ark... to give thanks and to praise'; v.34 ('for his mercy endureth for ever') is the same liturgical formula echoed in 2 Chr 7:6.
- 2 Chr.5:12-13 (structural): At the ark/temple dedication Levites and priests use Davidic instruments, sing, and the trumpets sound—closely parallels the cultic musical scene described in 2 Chr 7:6.
- Ps.136:1 (refrain) (verbal): The refrain 'for his mercy endureth for ever' appears throughout Psalm 136 and is the same liturgical line cited in 2 Chr 7:6, reflecting a common thanksgiving formula.
- Ps.150:3-5 (thematic): Calls to praise God with trumpet, harp, lyre, cymbals, etc., thematically parallel 2 Chr 7:6's emphasis on Levites using musical instruments to give thanks and praise.
Alternative generated candidates
- The priests stood at their posts, and the Levites, with the song-instruments of the LORD that King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD—"for his steadfast love endures forever"—played in the hands of the Levites; the priests blew the trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
- The priests stood in their divisions, and the Levites with the instruments of song that King David had made to give thanks and praise to the LORD—for his steadfast love endures forever—at David's words in their hand. The priests blew the trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
2 C.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקדש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- תוך: PREP
- החצר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפני: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- העלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- חלבי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- השלמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכול: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להכיל: VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המנחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- החלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:63-66 (quotation): Parallel account of Solomon's dedication of the temple and the large-scale burnt and peace offerings offered at that time; describes the same dedicatory sacrificial action recorded in Chronicles.
- 2 Chronicles 7:5-6 (verbal): Immediate context in Chronicles that details the same slaughtering and offering of burnt offerings and peace offerings and the musicians' praise—closely repeats the sacrificial material.
- Ezra 6:16-17 (thematic): Account of the dedication of the house of God in the postexilic period, where burnt offerings and peace offerings are presented at the temple dedication—thematic parallel in rite and purpose.
- Exodus 38:1-2 (allusion): Description of the bronze (brass) altar made for burnt offerings in the tabernacle; relates to the note in Chronicles that the bronze altar could not contain all the burnt offering/offerings.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Solomon made holy the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD, for there he made the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings; for the bronze altar that Solomon had made could not contain the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the fat.
- Solomon sanctified the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, for the bronze altar that Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.
2 C.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- החג: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- קהל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- מלבוא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- עד: PREP
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:65 (quotation): Almost verbatim parallel: Solomon held the feast seven days with all Israel, a very great assembly from the entering of Hamath to the river of Egypt.
- 1 Kings 8:66 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in Kings of the same festival occasion—describes the dismissal of the people and the ensuing peace after the seven‑day feast.
- 2 Chronicles 5:3 (structural): Earlier in Chronicles the assembly of the elders and all Israel is described for the temple dedication; provides the broader context for the large congregation gathered with Solomon.
- 1 Kings 4:21 (thematic): Uses a similar geographic formula about the extent of Solomon’s realm (to the River/border of Egypt), echoing the Chronicle/Kings motif of nationwide assembly and dominion 'from Hamath to the river of Egypt.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon held the festival at that time seven days, and all Israel with him—a very great assembly—from Lebo-hamath to the River of Egypt.
- Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
2 C.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- השמיני: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- עצרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חנכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והחג: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:65-66 (structural): Parallel account of Solomon’s dedication celebration — the dedication and feast lasted seven days and people were sent away on the eighth day joyful; Chronicles often retells this material from Kings.
- Leviticus 23:36 (thematic): Law for the Feast of Booths: the festival is seven days with a sacred assembly on the eighth day (ʼaseret/atseret), echoing the ‘eighth day’ and seven‑day festival language.
- Leviticus 8:33 (verbal): During the priestly ordination Moses instructs Aaron to remain at the tent entrance for seven days until his ordination is complete — echoes the motif of a seven‑day consecration period.
- Leviticus 9:1 (verbal): On the eighth day Moses summons Aaron and the elders for the first public sacrificial acts after the seven days of ordination, paralleling the sequence ‘seven days… and the eighth day’ in the dedication narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had been seven days and the festival seven days.
- On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had been seven days and the festival had been seven days.
2 C.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ושלשה: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,m
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השביעי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאהליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- שמחים: ADJ,m,pl
- וטובי: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לדויד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולשלמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולישראל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 8:66 (quotation): נוסח כמעט זהה; אותו סיום של טקס הקדשה—שלמה משלח את העם לבתיהם בשמחה על־הטובה שעשה ה׳ לדוד ולשלמה ולישראל.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (structural): הקשר המיידי בפרק: הופעת כבוד ה׳, אש על המזבח והפעלת הלויים והעם שהובילו לשחרורם ושמחתם כפי המתואר בו׳10.
- 2 Samuel 7:8-16 (thematic): ברית ה׳ עם דוד והבטחת חסד ודורות לזרעו—הרקע התיאולוגי ל'הטובה' שנזכרת כלפי דוד ושלמה ולעמם.
- Psalm 72:1-11 (thematic): תפילה למלכות צודקת וברכה לשלטון המלך ולעם; מקבילה נושאית לברכת ה׳ והטובה שניתנה לדוד/שלמה ועמהם.
Alternative generated candidates
- And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for his people Israel.
- And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David and for Solomon and for his people Israel.
As soon as Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they fell on their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and they bowed down and gave thanks to the LORD, for he is good and his steadfast love endures forever.
The king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
King Solomon offered twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep; and the king and all the people consecrated the house of the LORD.
The priests stood at their posts, and the Levites—with the musical instruments of the LORD that David the king had made for giving thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever—stood in their place; the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
Solomon sanctified the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD, for there he had made the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings; for the bronze altar that Solomon had made could not contain the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the fat.
Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days; and all Israel with him was a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the River of Egypt.
On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had been seven days and the festival had been seven days.
On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, rejoicing and with glad hearts for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for Israel his people.