2 Chronicles 2:6

KJV

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who [am] I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

KJV (with Strong's)

But who is able {H6113}{H3581} to build {H1129} him an house {H1004}, seeing the heaven {H8064} and heaven {H8064} of heavens {H8064} cannot contain {H3557} him? who am I then, that I should build {H1129} him an house {H1004}, save only {H518} to burn sacrifice {H6999} before {H6440} him?

Complete Jewish Bible

But who is equal to building him a house? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain him; so who am I to build him a house, except to offer sacrifices before him?

Berean Standard Bible

But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him?

American Standard Version

But who is able to build him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn incense before him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon's profound declaration in 2 Chronicles 2:6 captures the infinite majesty and uncontainable nature of God, even as he prepares to construct a magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse serves as a theological anchor, acknowledging God's transcendence over all creation while simultaneously clarifying the humble, worship-focused purpose of the physical structure Solomon intends to build. It underscores the vast chasm between the Creator and His creation, emphasizing that any human endeavor to honor God is an act of humble service, not an attempt to house or limit the Divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of King Solomon’s letter to Hiram, King of Tyre, requesting assistance with the monumental task of building the Temple for the Lord. Following the detailed preparations and instructions laid out by his father, King David, in [1 Chronicles 28](/1_chronicles/28 "1 Chronicles 28 - David's Instructions for the Temple"), Solomon inherits the sacred duty to construct a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and a central hub for Israelite worship. The preceding verses (2 Chronicles 2:1-5) establish Solomon’s intent, the scale of the project, and his rationale for seeking Hiram’s renowned craftsmanship, particularly for cedar and cypress timber and skilled artisans. Verse 6, therefore, is not merely a statement of humility but a theological preamble to his request, setting the spiritual tone for the entire enterprise and distinguishing the God of Israel from the localized deities of surrounding nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of a national temple was a common practice in the ancient Near East, where temples were often viewed as literal residences for deities, believed to be confined within their walls. However, Solomon’s words here fundamentally challenge this pagan concept. Israel’s God, Yahweh, was understood to be omnipresent and transcendent, not bound by earthly structures. The Temple in Jerusalem, therefore, was not intended to *contain* God but to serve as a designated place for His name to dwell, where His presence would manifest among His people, and where prescribed worship, particularly sacrifice, could be offered. This theological distinction was crucial for Israel’s unique monotheistic identity, setting them apart from the polytheistic cultures that surrounded them. The undertaking itself was an immense engineering and logistical feat, requiring vast resources, skilled labor, and international cooperation, reflecting the burgeoning power and wealth of Solomon’s kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes embedded in 2 Chronicles 2:6 revolve around the **transcendence and omnipresence of God**, the **humility of humanity before the Divine**, and the **true purpose of the Temple**. Solomon's rhetorical question, "who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?" eloquently articulates God's infinite nature, a concept reiterated in Solomon's later dedication prayer in [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer"). This understanding of God’s boundlessness naturally leads to the theme of **human humility**, as Solomon immediately follows with, "who [am] I then, that I should build him an house?" This profound self-awareness highlights the appropriate posture of reverence and awe in the presence of the Almighty. Finally, the verse clarifies the Temple's function: "save only to burn sacrifice before him." This emphasizes that the Temple was not for God's *need* but for humanity's *access* to God through prescribed worship, serving as a focal point for the covenant relationship and a place for the nation’s spiritual life, as envisioned by David in [1 Chronicles 22:1](/1_chronicles/22-1 "1 Chronicles 22:1 - David's Plans for the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heaven and heaven of heavens (Hebrew, _shamayim u-sheme ha-shamayim'_):** This is a superlative Hebrew idiom, often translated as "the highest heavens" or "the heaven of heavens," signifying the entire cosmos, the absolute totality of all created space, and even beyond. It is an emphatic expression of infinite vastness, used to convey the utter transcendence and uncontainable nature of God. It implies that God's dwelling is not merely in the sky, but beyond all conceivable dimensions and realms, far exceeding any physical or even celestial boundaries. This phrase underscores God's absolute sovereignty and omnipresence, making it impossible for any created structure, no matter how grand, to truly house Him.
* **Contain (Hebrew, _kul'_):** This verb means "to hold," "to contain," "to endure," or "to sustain." In this context, it speaks to the capacity or ability to encompass or enclose. Solomon's rhetorical question uses this word to powerfully assert that the vastness of the universe itself is insufficient to hold God. Therefore, a man-made building, by logical extension, is even more incapable of containing the Divine essence. It highlights God's immeasurable nature, which transcends all spatial limitations.
* **Burn sacrifice (Hebrew, _qatar qorban'_):** The verb _qatar_ specifically refers to the act of burning incense or making a sacrifice ascend in smoke, rather than simply "burning" in a general sense. _Qorban_ is the general term for an offering or sacrifice. Together, "to burn sacrifice" points to the specific liturgical function of the Temple. It clarifies that the building's purpose is not to provide God with a dwelling He requires, but to facilitate the prescribed acts of worship and atonement for His people. This emphasizes the Temple as a place of encounter and ritual, designed for human interaction with God according to His revealed will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?":** This opening rhetorical question immediately establishes God's absolute transcendence and omnipresence. Solomon acknowledges that no physical structure, no matter how magnificent, can truly house or contain the infinite Creator of the universe. The "heaven and heaven of heavens" represents the entirety of the cosmos, emphasizing that even this boundless expanse is insufficient to limit God. This profound theological statement serves to humble the builder and elevate the object of worship, distinguishing Yahweh from the localized deities of pagan religions.
* **"who [am] I then, that I should build him an house,":** Following the declaration of God's immensity, Solomon shifts to a posture of profound humility. This rhetorical question highlights his own insignificance in comparison to the Almighty. It reflects an appropriate awe and reverence, acknowledging that his role is not to provide God with something He needs, but rather to serve as an instrument in God's plan. It underscores the privilege and responsibility of participating in a divine enterprise, rather than asserting human capability over divine necessity.
* **"save only to burn sacrifice before him?":** This concluding clause clarifies the true, humble, and practical purpose of the Temple. It is not for God's containment or comfort, but for the facilitation of human worship, particularly through the prescribed acts of sacrifice. The Temple serves as a designated place where God's people can approach Him according to His covenant stipulations, offer atonement, and engage in communal worship. It is a focal point for Israel's spiritual life, a place where God's presence would manifest and where His name would dwell, enabling communion between the holy God and His people.

#### Literary Devices
Solomon's statement in 2 Chronicles 2:6 is rich with **Rhetorical Questions**, which serve not to elicit an answer but to make a forceful assertion. The initial question, "But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?", powerfully emphasizes God's infinite nature and uncontainability. This is immediately followed by a second, equally potent rhetorical question, "who [am] I then, that I should build him an house?", which highlights Solomon's profound humility and awareness of his own finite nature in contrast to God's boundlessness. The use of **Hyperbole** in "heaven and heaven of heavens" is also evident, as it is a superlative expression designed to convey the absolute vastness of creation and, by extension, the even greater vastness of God who transcends it. This literary technique amplifies the theological truth of God's omnipresence and transcendence, making the subsequent statement of the Temple's limited purpose all the more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 2:6 presents a foundational theological truth about God's transcendence and omnipresence, asserting that the Creator cannot be confined by creation. This understanding is crucial for a proper view of worship and human humility. The Temple, therefore, is not a house for God in the sense of His needing a dwelling, but a designated place for humanity to encounter Him, offer worship, and receive His blessings. This concept resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that while God may choose to manifest His presence in specific locations or through particular rituals, His very being is beyond all spatial and temporal limitations. Our acts of worship and service are not to fulfill a divine need, but to express our reverence, obedience, and dependence upon the One who is infinitely greater than all our conceptions.

* [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication")
* [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1-2 - God's Dwelling Place")
* [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48-50 - Stephen's Sermon on God's Dwelling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's profound declaration in 2 Chronicles 2:6 serves as a timeless corrective to our often-limited understanding of God. We, like ancient peoples, can fall into the trap of trying to "box in" God, confining Him to our church buildings, our personal experiences, or even our theological systems. Solomon reminds us that God is infinitely greater than any human construct or comprehension. This calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and awe, recognizing that our worship, our service, and our very existence are dependent on His grace and not on His need. The true purpose of our spiritual disciplines, communal gatherings, and even our physical places of worship is not to provide God with something He lacks, but to provide us with a means to draw near to Him, to acknowledge His rightful place as sovereign, and to be transformed by His presence. This verse encourages us to expand our vision of God, to worship Him with an understanding of His boundless majesty, and to serve Him with a humble heart that recognizes our privilege in participating in His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subconsciously limiting my understanding of God's infinite nature in my daily life or worship?**
* **How does Solomon's humility in this verse challenge my own sense of self-importance or capability in serving God?**
* **If the purpose of the Temple was "only to burn sacrifice," what does that imply about the true purpose of my own spiritual practices and gatherings today?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for God's transcendence in my personal devotion?**

### FAQ
**What does "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful Hebrew idiom (Hebrew: _shamayim u-sheme ha-shamayim_) that denotes the entirety of the cosmos, the highest heavens, and all created space. When Solomon states that even this boundless expanse cannot "contain" God, he is emphasizing God's absolute transcendence and omnipresence. It means that God is not limited by space, time, or any physical dimension. He exists beyond and sustains all creation, making it impossible for any structure, no matter how vast or grand, to truly house His infinite being. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Footstool"), where God declares, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me?"

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 2:6 powerfully declares God's uncontainable nature and the Temple's purpose for sacrifice, it ultimately points forward to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Solomon's profound recognition that no earthly house could contain God foreshadows the New Covenant reality where God's dwelling is no longer confined to a physical structure in Jerusalem, but resides within His people through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus declared in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple"), He was speaking of the "temple of his body," signifying that He Himself is the true meeting place between God and humanity. The sacrifices offered in Solomon's Temple, which were "only to burn sacrifice," found their perfect and final culmination in the singular, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, as highlighted in [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice"). Through Christ, the need for a physical temple and repeated animal sacrifices is superseded, for He is the ultimate High Priest and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, Solomon's humble acknowledgment of God's transcendence and the Temple's sacrificial function ultimately directs our gaze to the One who perfectly embodies God's presence and offers the perfect, eternal atonement, making us, His redeemed people, the living temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

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 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

2 Chronicles 6:18

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Isaiah 66:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

Acts 7:48

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 7:49

Heaven [is] my throne, and earth [is] my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what [is] the place of my rest?

Exodus 3:11

¶ And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

2 Chronicles 1:10

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, [that is so] great?