II Chronicles 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The fire came down - The cloud had come down before, now the fire consumes the sacrifice, showing that both the house and the sacrifices were accepted by the Lord.
Open source ↗GOD GIVES TESTIMONY TO SOLOMON'S PRAYER; THE PEOPLE WORSHIP. (Ch2 7:1-3) the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering--Every act of worship was accompanied by a sacrifice. The preternatural stream of fire kindled the mass of flesh, and was a token of the divine acceptance of Solomon's prayer (see on Lev 9:24; Kg1 18:38). the glory of the Lord filled the house--The cloud, which was the symbol of God's presence and majesty, filled the interior of the temple (Exo 40:35).
Open source ↗Now when Solomon had made an end of praying,.... The prayer recorded in the preceding chapter: the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; which was the token God gave of his acceptance of them, of which there had been several instances before, Lev 9:24, Kg1 18:38, and the glory of the Lord filled the house; the glory of the Shechinah of the Lord, as the Targum, see Kg1 8:11.
Open source ↗The divine confirmation of the dedication of the temple. - Ch2 7:1-10. The consecration of the sacrificial service by fire from heaven (Ch2 7:1-3), and the sacrifices and festival of the people (Ch2 7:4-10). Ch2 7:1-3 At the conclusion of Solomon's prayer there fell fire from heaven, which devoured the burnt-offering and the thank-offering, and the glory of the Lord filled the house, so that the priests could not enter the house of Jahve. The assembled congregation, when they saw the fire and the glory of the Lord descend, bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped God to praise. Now since this narrative is not found in Kg1 8:54., and there a speech of Solomon to the whole congregation, in which he thanks God for the fulfilment of His promise, and expresses the desire that the Lord would hear his prayers at all times, and bestow the promised salvation on the people, is communicated, modern criticism has rejected this narrative of the Chronicle as a later unhistorical embellishment of the temple dedication. "If we turn our attention," says Berth. in agreement with Then., "to Ch2 5:11-14, and compare Ch2 5:14 with our second verse, we must maintain that our historian found that there existed two different narratives of the proceedings at the dedication of the temple, and received both into his work. According to the one narrative, the clouds filled the house (Kg1 8:10, cf. Ch2 5:11-14); and after this was done Solomon uttered the prayer, with the conclusion which we find in 1 Kings 8; according to the other narrative, Solomon uttered the prayer, with the conclusion which we find in Chron., and God thereafter gave the confirmatory signs. Now we can hardly imagine that the course of events was, that the glory of Jahve filled the house…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The gracious answer which God immediately made to Solomon's prayer: The fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, Ch2 7:1. In this way God testified his acceptance of Moses (Lev 9:24), of Gideon (Jdg 6:21), of David (Ch1 21:26), of Elijah (Kg1 18:38); and, in general, to accept the burnt-sacrifice is, in the Hebrew phrase, to turn it to ashes, Psa 20:3. The fire came down here, not upon the killing of the sacrifices, but the praying of the prayer. 1. This fire intimated that God was, (1.) Glorious in himself; for our God is a consuming fire, terrible even in his holy places. This fire, breaking forth (as it is probable) out of the thick darkness, made it the more terrible, as on Mount Sinai, Exo 24:16, Exo 24:17. The sinners in Sion had reason to be afraid at that sight, and to say, Who among us shall dwell near this devouring fire? Isa 33:14. And yet, (2.) Gracious to Israel; for this fire, which might justly have consumed them, fastened upon the sacrifice which was offered in their stead, and consumed that, by which God signified to them that he accepted their offerings and that his anger was turned away from them. 2. Let us apply this, (1.) To the suffering of Christ. When it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and put him to grief, in that he showed his good-will to men, having laid on him the iniquity of us all. His death was our life, and he was made sin and a curse that we might inherit righteousness and a blessing. That sacrifice was consumed that we might escape. Here am I, let these go their way. (2.) To the sanctification of the Spirit, who descends like fire, burning up our lusts and corruptions, those beasts that must be sacrificed or we are undone, and kindling in our souls a holy fire of pious and devout affections, always to be kept…
Open source ↗7:1-3 When the Ark was brought to its place (see 5:13-14), the glorious presence of the Lord descended on the Temple. The divine glory remained in the Temple, preventing the priests from entering to perform their service (see “The Glory of God” Theme Note and “God’s Glory with His People” Theme Note).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) כָּרַע (kâraʻ, H3766) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רִצְפָּה (ritspâh, H7531) — a hot stone; also a tessellated pavement שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָנַךְ (chânak, H2596) — properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to…
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חֲמָת (Chămâth, H2574) — Chamath, a place in Syria נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗שְׁמִינִי (shᵉmîynîy, H8066) — eight יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֲצָרָה (ʻătsârâh, H6116) — an assembly, especially on afestival or holiday חֲנֻכָּה (chănukkâh, H2598) — initiation, i.e. consecration מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor
Open source ↗שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) שָׂמֵחַ (sâmêach, H8056) — blithe or gleeful טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the…
Open source ↗הֵן (hên, H2005) — lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin חָגָב (châgâb, H2284) — a locust אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… סָלַח (çâlach, H5545) — to forgive חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.
And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.
Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.”
Then the man brought me to the front of the temple by way of the north gate. I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling His temple, and I fell facedown.
Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses.
Then the angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. And fire flared from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight.
I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory.
After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.