2 Chronicles 2:5

KJV

And the house which I build [is] great: for great [is] our God above all gods.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the house {H1004} which I build {H1129} is great {H1419}: for great {H1419} is our God {H430} above all gods {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The house I will build will be great, because our God is greater than all gods.

Berean Standard Bible

The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.

American Standard Version

And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon, addressing King Hiram of Tyre, articulates the profound theological impetus behind the immense scale of the Temple he intends to build in Jerusalem. This declaration underscores that the grandeur of the physical structure is not for human aggrandizement but is a direct and necessary reflection of the unparalleled majesty, infinite power, and absolute supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel, who stands uniquely above all other deities worshipped in the ancient world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Solomon's early reign, specifically during his crucial correspondence with King Hiram of Tyre, seeking resources and skilled labor for the monumental Temple project. Following David's meticulous preparations and the divine commission for Solomon to construct the Temple (as detailed in [1 Chronicles 22](/1-chronicles/22 "1 Chronicles 22 - David's Preparations for the Temple")), Solomon initiates the work by sending a diplomatic message to Hiram. Chapter 2 opens with Solomon's firm resolve to build both a house for the Lord and a royal palace ([2 Chronicles 2:1](/2_chronicles/2-1 "2 Chronicles 2:1 - Solomon's Decision to Build")). Verse 5 serves as a pivotal explanation to Hiram, a gentile king from a polytheistic culture, justifying the extraordinary scale and expense of the undertaking. It frames the project not merely as an architectural feat but as a theological imperative, setting the stage for Hiram's respectful and cooperative reply in the subsequent verses ([2 Chronicles 2:11-16](/2_chronicles/2-11-16 "2 Chronicles 2:11-16 - Hiram's Response to Solomon")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, around 960 BC, marked a definitive period in Israelite history, solidifying Jerusalem as the religious and political heart of the nation and providing a central sanctuary for Yahweh worship. In the broader ancient Near Eastern landscape, where polytheism was the norm and kings frequently erected magnificent temples to their patron deities, Solomon's assertion of Yahweh's supremacy "above all gods" was a bold and counter-cultural theological statement. While other nations built grand temples, Solomon's emphasis transcends mere architectural ambition, pointing to the infinite and incomparable nature of the God being honored. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state, was renowned for its master craftsmen, particularly in woodworking and metalwork, and its access to valuable timber like cedar and cypress, making King Hiram an indispensable ally for such an ambitious undertaking. The exchange between Solomon and Hiram exemplifies the sophisticated diplomatic and trade relations characteristic of the era, where alliances were often forged through mutual assistance and respect, even across divergent religious beliefs.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly emphasizes the **Divine Majesty and Supremacy** of Yahweh, asserting His unique power, authority, and incomparable nature over all other claimed deities. This theme resonates throughout Israel's history, notably during the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7 - The Plagues Begin") where Yahweh demonstrates His power over the gods of Egypt, and consistently in the prophetic literature. Secondly, it highlights the **Temple's Grandeur as a Reflection of God's Greatness**, establishing that the magnificence of the physical structure, though impressive, is ultimately a humble and symbolic tribute to the infinite and transcendent nature of God, a truth Solomon himself eloquently articulates in his dedication prayer in [1 Kings 8:27](/1-kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer"). Thirdly, it serves as a strong **Monotheistic Affirmation** within a predominantly polytheistic world, reinforcing the foundational tenet of Israel's covenant with God, as articulated in the first commandment to [have no other gods before Him](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). Finally, the verse reveals **Solomon's Profound Devotion and Understanding** of the sacredness and theological significance of his God-given task, driven by a deep reverence for the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective (H1419), appearing twice in the verse, carries significant semantic weight. When applied to the "house," it denotes the Temple's impressive physical scale, grandeur, and importance. However, when applied to "our God," its meaning transcends mere physical dimensions, pointing to God's infinite power, incomparable majesty, supreme authority, and boundless nature. It encapsulates His transcendence, preeminence, and absolute superiority over all creation and all other perceived powers. The repetition emphasizes the direct correlation between the Temple's intended greatness and God's inherent, unquantifiable greatness.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This common Hebrew term (H430) for "God" or "gods" is employed here in both its singular (referring to Yahweh) and plural (referring to pagan deities) senses. In the phrase "our God," it specifically designates Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His unique relationship with His people. In the phrase "above all gods," it refers to the numerous pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations. The deliberate juxtaposition highlights the qualitative difference and absolute superiority of Yahweh over any other entity worshipped as divine, asserting His singular claim to deity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the house which I build [is] great":** Solomon begins by stating the practical necessity and intended grandeur of the Temple. This is not a boast of human architectural prowess but an acknowledgment that a sanctuary dedicated to the Lord of all creation must reflect a certain scale and magnificence. The "greatness" of the building is a symbolic representation, a fitting, albeit finite, tribute to the infinite God it is meant to honor. It sets the stage for the profound justification that follows.
* **"for great [is] our God above all gods.":** This clause provides the profound theological rationale for the Temple's grandeur. The conjunction "for" (כִּי, _ki_) establishes a direct causal link: the Temple's greatness is a direct consequence of God's inherent and incomparable greatness. This is the core theological declaration of the verse, asserting Yahweh's absolute supremacy. He is not merely the greatest among many gods, but uniquely and incomparably superior to all other entities worshipped as divine. This statement functions as a powerful monotheistic polemic in a polytheistic world, distinguishing the God of Israel from the limited, often capricious, and ultimately powerless deities of other nations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary techniques to convey its profound message. The **Repetition** of the word "great" (גָּדֹול, _gadol_) creates a powerful emphasis, first on the physical structure and then on the divine being, inextricably linking the two concepts. This repetition also highlights a stark **Contrast** between the finite, though grand, human-built structure and the infinite, incomparable greatness of God. While the Temple is "great," it is so only *because* God is infinitely "great." The emphatic phrase "above all gods" functions as a strong **Affirmation** and **Declaration** of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty and uniqueness, serving as a direct polemic against the prevailing polytheism of the ancient Near East. This theological assertion elevates the purpose of the Temple beyond mere architectural achievement to a profound act of worship and a powerful testimony to God's unmatched majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a fundamental truth of biblical theology: the immeasurable greatness and absolute supremacy of God. Solomon's declaration is not merely a statement of fact but a foundational principle that undergirds all true worship and understanding of God. It asserts that Yahweh is not just *a* god, or even the *best* god among many, but the *only* true God, incomparable and transcendent. The Temple, though magnificent, could never truly contain or fully represent this infinite God, a truth Solomon himself would later acknowledge in his dedication prayer ([1 Kings 8:27](/1-kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer")). Its grandeur was thus a testament to human reverence and an attempt to build a fitting, albeit symbolic, dwelling for the One whose glory fills the heavens and the earth. This understanding of divine greatness should shape our worship, our service, and our very lives, inspiring awe, humility, and unwavering devotion, recognizing that His worth far exceeds any human construct or concept.

* [Psalm 95:3](/psalm/95-3 "Psalm 95:3 - The Lord is a Great God")
* [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18 - To Whom Will You Compare God?")
* [Jeremiah 10:6](/jeremiah/10-6 "Jeremiah 10:6 - There is None Like You, Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's declaration in [2 Chronicles 2:5](/2_chronicles/2-5 "2 Chronicles 2:5 - The Greatness of God") challenges us to truly grasp the magnitude of the God we serve. In a world constantly vying for our attention and allegiance, offering countless "gods" of materialism, self-worship, power, or fleeting pleasures, this verse calls us back to the singular truth of Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy. Our endeavors for God, whether in building physical structures, developing ministries, or simply living out our daily lives, should be marked by excellence and a profound sense of awe, not to impress others or glorify ourselves, but as a humble offering to the One who is infinitely great. Recognizing God's greatness inspires confidence in His power to overcome any obstacle, trust in His wisdom to guide us, and a deep desire to live in a way that truly honors His name, knowing that He is indeed "above all gods." This perspective cultivates a spirit of humility, gratitude, and unwavering devotion, transforming our understanding of worship from a duty to a joyful response to His incomparable worth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "greatness above all gods" impact your daily worship and service, particularly in a world that often minimizes or ignores Him?**
* **In what ways might we, like Solomon, seek to offer our "best" to God, not out of obligation, but out of profound reverence for His supreme worth and unmatched majesty?**
* **What "gods" or idols in contemporary culture (e.g., success, comfort, self-image) compete for our allegiance, and how does the truth of [2 Chronicles 2:5](/2_chronicles/2-5 "2 Chronicles 2:5 - The Greatness of God") challenge their claims and reorient our priorities?**

### FAQ
**Why does Solomon emphasize God's greatness to Hiram, a foreign king?**

Answer: Solomon emphasizes God's greatness to Hiram primarily for two interconnected reasons. First, it serves as a crucial justification for the immense scale and extraordinary expense of the Temple project. In the ancient Near East, the grandeur of a temple directly reflected the perceived power, status, and honor of the deity it was built for. By stating that "the house which I build is great," Solomon signals the unprecedented nature of the undertaking, which would necessitate significant resources and specialized skilled labor from Tyre. Second, and more profoundly, it is a theological declaration. Hiram, as the king of Tyre, would have been accustomed to worshipping a pantheon of Phoenician deities, such as Baal and Asherah. Solomon's assertion that "great is our God above all gods" is a clear and unequivocal statement of Yahweh's absolute supremacy, uniqueness, and incomparable nature, distinguishing Him from any other deity known to Hiram. It sets the religious context for their collaboration, ensuring Hiram understands the unparalleled significance of the God for whom this magnificent structure is being built, thereby fostering respect, cooperation, and perhaps even a seed of awe for a project of such divine importance. This declaration also subtly asserts Israel's unique monotheistic identity in a polytheistic world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Solomon built a magnificent physical Temple to honor God's greatness, the New Testament reveals that the ultimate fulfillment of this concept is found not in a building, but in the person of Jesus Christ. Solomon's Temple, though "great," was a prefigurement, a shadow of the true dwelling place of God and the ultimate revelation of His glory. Jesus, as the [Son of God](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh"), is the very embodiment of God's greatness, the [radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"). He declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus speaks of His Body as the Temple"). Thus, Jesus Himself is the ultimate "house" built for God, the one through whom God's presence truly dwells among humanity, and through whom we have access to the Father ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Furthermore, as the [greater Son of David](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and a greater than Solomon"), Jesus not only surpasses Solomon's wisdom and glory but also perfectly reveals the infinite greatness of God. Through His life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection, Jesus demonstrated God's ultimate power over sin, death, and all spiritual forces, proving definitively that our God is indeed "above all gods," and He is the one through whom we can truly approach, worship, and experience this great God.

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

1 Chronicles 16:25

For great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared above all gods.

Psalms 135:5

¶ For I know that the LORD [is] great, and [that] our Lord [is] above all gods.

Exodus 15:11

Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

1 Timothy 6:15

Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Jeremiah 10:6

Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might.

Psalms 145:3

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

Psalms 86:8

¶ Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.