2 Chronicles 2:4

KJV

Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate [it] to him, [and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I build {H1129} an house {H1004} to the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, to dedicate {H6942} it to him, and to burn {H6999} before {H6440} him sweet {H5561} incense {H7004}, and for the continual {H8548} shewbread {H4635}, and for the burnt offerings {H5930} morning {H1242} and evening {H6153}, on the sabbaths {H7676}, and on the new moons {H2320}, and on the solemn feasts {H4150} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}. This is an ordinance for ever {H5769} to Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here, I am about to build a house for the name of ADONAI my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before Him incense made of sweet spices; the house will also be for the continuing showbread and for the burnt offerings presented every morning and evening, on the shabbats, at every Rosh-Hodesh, and at the designated times of ADONAI our God. This is a perpetual regulation for Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever.

American Standard Version

Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon, in this declaration to King Hiram of Tyre, articulates the sacred purpose of building the Temple in Jerusalem: to establish a dedicated house for the "name of the LORD" where perpetual, divinely ordained worship would be offered. He meticulously lists the specific rituals—sweet incense, continual shewbread, and burnt offerings on Sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts—underscoring the Temple's role as the central hub of Israelite worship and a permanent ordinance for the nation, reflecting God's precise instructions for communion and atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Solomon's diplomatic communication with Hiram, King of Tyre, as he prepares to embark on the monumental task of building the Temple. Following David's extensive preparations and instructions (as seen in [1 Chronicles 22](/1-chronicles/22 "David's Preparations for the Temple") and [1 Chronicles 28](/1-chronicles/28 "David's Charge to Solomon")), Solomon now seeks Hiram's assistance with timber and skilled craftsmen. In the preceding verses of [2 Chronicles 2](/2-chronicles/2 "Solomon's Preparations for Building the Temple"), Solomon outlines his ambitious plans and the vast resources required. Verse 4 serves as Solomon's theological justification and detailed explanation for this grand undertaking, assuring Hiram that the Temple's purpose is not merely human ambition but a response to divine command, focused on the precise and perpetual worship of the God of Israel. This explanation sets the stage for Hiram's impressed and cooperative response in the subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Temple was the fulfillment of a long-held divine promise to David ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2-samuel/7-13 "God's Covenant with David concerning the Temple")) and a monumental undertaking for the nascent Israelite monarchy. Prior to this, Israel's central place of worship had been the portable Tabernacle, a tent sanctuary that had accompanied them through the wilderness and into the land. The Temple in Jerusalem would signify a new era of national stability, a permanent dwelling place for God's "name" (not His physical body, but His manifest presence and authority) among His people. The specified rituals—incense, shewbread, burnt offerings, and observance of Sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts—were not innovations but direct continuations and elaborations of the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/25 "Instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings"), detailed primarily in the books of [Exodus](/exodus/25 "Tabernacle Instructions"), [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Laws of Offerings"), and [Numbers](/numbers/28 "Daily and Festival Offerings"). These practices were central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, defining their identity, ensuring atonement for sin, and providing a framework for communal and individual worship.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple") encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the books of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Dedicated Worship** and the absolute centrality of God in Israel's national life. The Temple was not for human glory but "to the name of the LORD my God," emphasizing a singular focus on honoring and serving Him. Secondly, the detailed enumeration of rituals underscores the theme of **Divine Ordinances and Obedience**. God's covenant with Israel was conditional, requiring meticulous adherence to His commands for worship and daily life, as found in the [Torah](/deuteronomy/6 "The Great Commandment"). The perpetual nature of these ordinances, noted by "an ordinance for ever," points to the theme of **Continuity of Covenant and Worship**, signifying God's enduring relationship with His people and the ongoing need for communion. Lastly, the mention of various offerings, particularly burnt offerings, points to the profound theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**, essential for a sinful people to draw near to a holy God. These themes collectively portray the Temple as the physical embodiment of Israel's spiritual identity and covenant obligations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Name (Hebrew, _shem'_):** In ancient Near Eastern thought, and especially in biblical theology, "name" (שֵׁם, _shem_) signifies more than just an appellation; it embodies the essence, character, reputation, authority, and presence of an individual. To build "an house to the name of the LORD" ([2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple")) does not imply God is confined to a building, but rather that the Temple is the designated place where His character, glory, and authority are uniquely revealed, invoked, and honored. It is where His presence is manifest to His people, and where they can properly approach Him according to His revealed will.
* **Sweet Incense (Hebrew, _qetoret sammim'_):** This refers to the specific, sacred blend of aromatic spices prescribed by God in the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/30-34 "Instructions for the Holy Incense"). The burning of incense in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later the Temple produced a fragrant smoke that ascended towards God. Symbolically, it represented the prayers of the people rising to God ([Psalm 141:2](/psalms/141-2 "Prayer as Incense")), and it was a vital component of the prescribed worship, signifying adoration and communion. Its "sweet" aroma was pleasing to God, representing the purity and acceptability of the worship offered.
* **Ordinance (Hebrew, _chuqqat olam'_):** The phrase "This is an ordinance for ever" (חֻקַּת עוֹלָם, _chuqqat olam_) denotes a perpetual statute, an enduring decree, or a lasting law. It emphasizes the divinely established and unchangeable nature of these commands for Israel's worship. It highlights that these rituals were not temporary human inventions but were God's eternal will for how His people were to approach and worship Him within the covenant framework, binding for all generations of Israel under the Old Covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God":** Solomon declares his intention to construct a magnificent Temple. The phrase "to the name of the LORD my God" is crucial, indicating that the Temple's primary purpose is not for human glory or convenience, but as a dedicated space where God's character, authority, and manifest presence are to be honored and encountered. It signifies a place of divine revelation and worship, acknowledging Yahweh as the sovereign God of Israel.
* **"to dedicate [it] to him":** This clause emphasizes the act of consecration. The Temple is to be set apart, made holy, and exclusively devoted to the service and worship of God. This dedication signifies its sacred status and its separation from all common or profane uses, establishing it as a unique locus for the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
* **"[and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God":** This detailed enumeration specifies the core rituals to be performed in the Temple. "Sweet incense" (as prescribed in [Exodus 30:34-38](/exodus/30-34-38 "Instructions for the Holy Incense")) symbolized prayer and adoration. "Continual shewbread" ([Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "The Ordinance of the Showbread")), twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes, symbolized God's perpetual provision and communion with His people. "Burnt offerings morning and evening" ([Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38-42 "The Daily Burnt Offering")) were daily sacrifices for atonement and devotion. The specific times—"on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts" ([Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "The Appointed Feasts of the Lord"))—underscore the adherence to the divinely appointed liturgical calendar, ensuring regular, communal worship and remembrance of God's redemptive acts.
* **"This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel":** This concluding statement asserts the perpetual and binding nature of these worship practices. It signifies that these rituals and the Temple's function were not temporary or optional but were a permanent, divinely mandated statute for the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant, ensuring their ongoing relationship with God and their identity as His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple") employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Enumeration**, where Solomon provides a meticulous list of the specific rituals and offerings to be performed in the Temple (incense, shewbread, burnt offerings, and their timings). This detailed listing serves to emphasize the precision and comprehensiveness of the divine commands, highlighting that Israel's worship was not arbitrary but strictly prescribed. It also conveys the solemnity and importance of the Temple's function. Another device is **Repetition** of the concept of "the LORD my God," which underscores the theocentric nature of the entire enterprise; the Temple is not for Solomon's glory but entirely dedicated to Yahweh. The phrase "to the name of the LORD" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "name" stands in for God's entire being, character, and manifest presence, indicating that the Temple is where God's essence is uniquely revealed and honored. Finally, the declaration "This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the enduring and perpetual nature of these divine commands within the Old Covenant, though their ultimate fulfillment would later be found in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple") profoundly articulates the Old Covenant's emphasis on a consecrated space and prescribed rituals for approaching a holy God. The Temple, as the dwelling place for God's "name," symbolized His immanence among His people while simultaneously maintaining His transcendence. The meticulous details of incense, shewbread, and burnt offerings, performed on specific holy days, underscore the Old Testament understanding that worship must be offered according to God's precise instructions, not human preference. This adherence was foundational for maintaining the covenant relationship, providing a means of atonement for sin, and fostering communion between God and Israel. The "ordinance for ever" clause highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness and the perpetual need for a means of reconciliation and worship, setting the stage for a deeper, more complete fulfillment.

* [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38-42 "The Daily Burnt Offering")
* [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "The Ordinance of the Showbread")
* [Psalm 141:2](/psalms/141-2 "Prayer as Incense")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Temple and its specific animal sacrifices and rituals are no longer practiced today, having been perfectly fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles of [2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple") remain profoundly relevant for believers. We are now called to be the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1-corinthians/6-19 "Believers as the Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and our worship is to be spiritual, heartfelt, and offered "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "True Worshipers")). This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality and consistency of our own devotion to God. Just as Solomon meticulously planned for perpetual worship, so too should our lives be characterized by a continuous, dedicated offering of praise, thanksgiving, and obedience. It reminds us that true worship is not merely an occasional act but a lifestyle—a constant acknowledgment of God's presence and sovereignty, adhering to His revealed will, and seeking His glory in all we do. Our "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1-peter/2-5 "Spiritual Sacrifices")) should be offered with the same reverence and dedication that characterized the Temple worship, recognizing that we now have direct access to God through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Solomon's plan for Temple worship challenge my own approach to personal and corporate worship today?**
* **In what ways do I, as a "temple of the Holy Spirit," dedicate my life and actions "to the name of the LORD my God"?**
* **What "spiritual sacrifices" (e.g., praise, service, obedience) am I consistently offering to God, and how can I make them more "sweet" and acceptable to Him?**
* **How does understanding the "ordinance for ever" in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the enduring nature of God's call to worship, now fulfilled in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "to the name of the LORD my God" mean in this context?**

Answer: In biblical thought, the "name" of God (Hebrew: _shem_) is much more than just a label; it represents God's very essence, character, reputation, authority, and manifest presence. When Solomon states he is building a house "to the name of the LORD my God" in [2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple"), he is not suggesting that God is confined to a building. Rather, he means that the Temple is the designated place where God's character and glory would be uniquely revealed, where His authority would be acknowledged, and where His presence would be encountered by His people. It signifies that the Temple's purpose is entirely centered on honoring God and providing a specific, holy space for His worship according to His revealed will, making His "name" known and glorified among Israel and the nations. This concept is echoed in other passages, such as [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "God Chooses a Place for His Name"), where God promises to choose a place "to put his name there."

**Were the rituals listed in 2 Chronicles 2:4 new inventions for the Temple?**

Answer: No, the rituals listed in [2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple")—sweet incense, continual shewbread, and burnt offerings on Sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts—were not new inventions for the Temple. Instead, they were direct continuations and elaborations of the worship practices and ordinances established by God through Moses for the Tabernacle, as detailed in the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/25 "Instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings"). For example, instructions for the holy incense are found in [Exodus 30:34-38](/exodus/30-34-38 "Instructions for the Holy Incense"), the ordinance for the shewbread in [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "The Ordinance of the Showbread"), and the laws for various burnt offerings in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Laws of the Burnt Offering") and the daily sacrifices in [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38-42 "The Daily Burnt Offering"). The specific timing of worship on Sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts was also prescribed in the Law, particularly in [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "The Appointed Feasts of the Lord") and [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Daily and Festival Offerings"). Solomon's declaration emphasizes his commitment to faithfully uphold these divinely ordained practices in the new, permanent sanctuary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Chronicles 2:4](/2-chronicles/2-4 "Solomon's Purpose for Building the Temple"), with its emphasis on a dedicated house for God's name and perpetual, prescribed worship, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its elaborate rituals and sacrifices, served as a shadow pointing to the reality of Christ. Jesus himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus Refers to His Body as the Temple"). He is the true and ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "The Fullness of God Dwells in Christ")). The "sweet incense" symbolizing prayer and adoration is perfectly offered through Christ, our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who intercedes for us before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). The "continual shewbread," representing God's perpetual provision and communion, is fulfilled in Jesus, who is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering eternal sustenance and communion to all who believe. Most significantly, the "burnt offerings morning and evening" and those on "sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts" are perfectly and definitively fulfilled in Christ's [once-for-all sacrifice](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") on the cross. His blood provides a complete and eternal atonement for sin, making all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 10:1-18](/hebrews/10-1-18 "Hebrews 10:1-18 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The "ordinance for ever to Israel" now extends to all who are in Christ, who have become part of God's spiritual temple ([1 Peter 2:5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), called to offer [spiritual sacrifices](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering Sacrifices of Praise") of praise and lives dedicated to His glory, through the New Covenant established in His blood ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of a New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 30:7

And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Exodus 25:30

And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

Exodus 29:38

¶ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Exodus 29:42

[This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

2 Chronicles 2:1

¶ And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

Leviticus 23:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:17

Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; [they are] the firstfruits unto the LORD.