TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Chronicles 7:12–22. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
That God accepted Solomon's prayer appeared by the fire from heaven. But a prayer may be accepted and yet not answered in the letter of it; and therefore God appeared to him in the night, as he did once before (Ch2 1:7), and after a day of sacrifice too, as then, and gave him a peculiar answer to his prayer. We had the substance of it before, Kg1 9:2-9.
I.He promised to own this house for a house of sacrifice to Israel and a house of prayer for all people (Isa 56:7):
My name shall be there for ever (Ch2 7:12, Ch2 7:16), that is, "There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon."
II.He promised to answer the prayers of his people that should at any time be made in that place, Ch2 7:13-15.
National judgments are here supposed (Ch2 7:13), famine, and pestilence, and perhaps war, for by the locusts devouring the land meant enemies as greedy as locusts, and laying all waste. 2. National repentance, prayer, and reformation, are required, Ch2 7:14. God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. 3. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy, Psa 103:3; Mat 9:2.
III.He promised to perpetuate Solomon's kingdom, upon condition that he persevered in his duty, Ch2 7:17, Ch2 7:18.
If he hoped for the benefit of God's covenant with David, he must imitate the example of David. But he set before him death as well as life, the curse as well as the blessing.
1.He supposed it possible that though they had this temple built to the honour of God, yet they might be drawn aside to worship other gods, Ch2 7:19. He knew their proneness to backslide into that sin.
2.He threatened it as certain that, if they did so, it would certainly be the ruin of both church and state. (1.) It would be the ruin of their state, Ch2 7:20. "Though they have taken deep root, and taken root long, in this good land, yet I will pluck them up by the roots, extirpate the whole nation, pluck them up as men pluck up weeds out of their garden, which are thrown to the dunghill." (2.) It would be the ruin of their church. This sanctuary would be no sanctuary to them, to protect them from the judgment of God, as they imagined, saying, The temple of the Lord are we, Jer 7:4. "This house which is high, not only for the magnificence of its structure, but for the designed ends and uses of it, shall be an astonishment, it shall come down wonderfully (Lam 1:9), to the amazement of all the neighbours."
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Summary
2 Chronicles 7:20 delivers a profound and solemn warning from God to King Solomon and the nation of Israel, immediately following the glorious dedication of the Temple. It underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings, asserting that if Israel were to abandon Him, He would forcefully remove them from the promised land, destroy the Temple consecrated to His name, and render them an object of scorn and mockery among all nations. This verse serves as a stark prophetic foreshadowing of the eventual Babylonian exile and the destruction of the first Temple, emphasizing divine justice and the severe consequences of national apostasy.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a pivotal part of God's direct, two-part response to Solomon's elaborate prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple. The preceding verses (2 Chronicles 7:1-10) describe the magnificent dedication ceremony, marked by God's manifest presence in fire and glory, and the people's joyous worship. Following this, God appears to Solomon at night, first offering a gracious promise of His enduring presence and a clear path to restoration if His people humble themselves and seek Him, as famously articulated in 2 Chronicles 7:14. However, immediately after this promise of blessing for obedience, God delivers the stern warning of 2 Chronicles 7:19-22, outlining the dire consequences of disobedience. This powerful juxtaposition highlights the dual nature of the covenant: immense blessing for faithfulness, but severe judgment for apostasy, thereby establishing the conditional framework of Israel's relationship with God and their continued inhabitation of the land. It functions as a sober counterpoint, ensuring that the euphoria of the Temple dedication does not overshadow the serious demands of covenant fidelity.
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting is the zenith of the united monarchy of Israel, during the prosperous reign of King Solomon, a period marked by unprecedented national wealth and the completion of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. Culturally, the concept of a conditional covenant was foundational to Israel's identity, deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, particularly as articulated in Deuteronomy 28. The land of Canaan was understood not as an inherent right, but as a divine gift, held conditionally upon Israel's unwavering obedience to God's commands. The Temple itself was the central place of worship, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people and serving as a tangible sign of His covenant presence. The warning of being made a "proverb and a byword" resonated powerfully with ancient Near Eastern treaty curses, where a vassal nation's rebellion against its suzerain would result in public humiliation and subjugation, serving as a cautionary tale to others. This prophecy tragically found its historical fulfillment centuries later with the Babylonian invasion, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people in the 6th century BC, as recounted in devastating detail in books like Jeremiah and Lamentations.
Key Themes
2 Chronicles 7:20 powerfully articulates several crucial theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant with Israel, emphasizing that divine blessings, including their inhabitation of the promised land and the sanctity of the Temple, were contingent upon their faithfulness. This highlights that God's promises are not detached from human responsibility. Secondly, it reveals God's sovereignty and unwavering justice, demonstrating His readiness to execute judgment even upon His chosen people and His consecrated dwelling place if they persist in rebellion. This reveals that God's presence is tied to the spiritual condition and obedience of His people, not merely to a physical structure or inherited privilege, echoing warnings found in Jeremiah 7. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the catastrophic consequences of apostasy, including forced exile ("pluck them up by the roots"), the desecration and destruction of sacred space ("cast out of my sight"), and profound national disgrace ("proverb and a byword"). This serves as a perpetual warning against spiritual complacency and unfaithfulness, reinforcing the truth that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and His demand for covenant fidelity, a theme echoed throughout the Deuteronomistic history (e.g., 2 Kings 17).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb (H5428) signifies a forceful, complete, and irreversible tearing away or uprooting. While often used in agricultural contexts for violently removing plants, here it applies metaphorically to a people being utterly dispossessed from their land. The imagery conveys the totality of the judgment, akin to a plant being ripped from the soil where it has grown and flourished, leaving nothing behind. It emphasizes a permanent and devastating expulsion, not merely a temporary displacement, highlighting the severity of God's action.
This term (H6942) means to set apart as holy, to consecrate, or to dedicate for sacred use, specifically for God's name and presence. The Temple was not just a building; it was a place made holy by God's explicit choice and presence. The fact that God Himself declares He "sanctified" it underscores its divine significance and the gravity of His threat to "cast it out of my sight," indicating that even a divinely consecrated space is not immune to judgment if the people associated with it become unholy and break covenant.
"Mâshâl" (H4912) often refers to a pithy maxim, parable, or taunt, while "shᵉnîynâh" (H8148) denotes something pointed, a sharp, biting gibe or object of derision. Together, they signify that Israel would become a public spectacle, a cautionary tale, an object of scorn, ridicule, and contempt among other nations. Their former glory and unique status would be replaced by widespread shame and mockery, highlighting the profound disgrace and humiliation that would accompany their judgment for covenant infidelity.
Verse Breakdown
"Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them;"
This clause pronounces the judgment of exile. God asserts His ultimate ownership of the land ("my land") and reminds them that it was a gracious gift ("which I have given them"), underscoring their tenancy, not absolute possession. The phrase "pluck them up by the roots" vividly depicts a violent, complete, and irreversible removal, signifying that the people would be forcibly dispossessed from the promised inheritance, severing their deep connection to the land that was central to their covenant identity and national existence.
"and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight,"
This part of the warning addresses the fate of the Temple. Despite its divine consecration ("which I have sanctified for my name"), God declares He will "cast it out of my sight." This indicates a divine withdrawal of His presence and protection from the very place He had chosen to dwell. It implies the Temple's desecration and ultimate destruction, demonstrating that God's presence is not bound to a physical structure but is contingent upon the faithfulness and obedience of His people.
"and will make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations."
The final clause describes the resulting national disgrace. Not only would Israel be exiled and their Temple destroyed, but their downfall would become a notorious example, a subject of mockery and derision among surrounding nations. Their former status as a blessed and favored people would be replaced by widespread contempt and shame, serving as a public testament to the severe consequences of forsaking their God. This humiliation would be a global proclamation of their unfaithfulness and God's righteous judgment.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its solemn message and underscore the severity of God's impending judgment. The most prominent is Metaphor, specifically in the phrase "pluck them up by the roots," which vividly compares the nation of Israel to a plant violently torn from its soil. This agricultural imagery effectively communicates the totality, irreversibility, and painful nature of the impending judgment of exile. The declaration that the Temple would be "cast out of my sight" functions as Anthropomorphism, attributing human-like actions (seeing and casting away) to God, thereby emphasizing His personal rejection and abandonment of the sacred structure due to Israel's unfaithfulness. The entire verse serves as a Prophecy, foretelling future events (exile, Temple destruction, national disgrace) that would indeed come to pass centuries later, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over history. Furthermore, the warning is implicitly a Conditional Statement, as it follows God's prior promise of blessing if Israel obeys (2 Chronicles 7:14), thus forming the "if not" clause of the covenant. The phrase "proverb and a byword" employs Hyperbole to underscore the extreme level of public shame and derision that Israel would experience, magnifying the severity of their fall from grace and the extent of their humiliation among the nations.
Theological and Thematic Connections
2 Chronicles 7:20 is a profound theological statement on God's holiness, justice, and covenant faithfulness. It reveals that God's commitment to His covenant extends not only to blessings for obedience but also to curses for disobedience, demonstrating that divine privilege, such as being God's chosen people and possessing His Temple, does not exempt one from accountability. The verse underscores that true worship and relationship with God are not merely about rituals or magnificent structures, but about heartfelt obedience and fidelity to His commands. God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His righteous character and His desire for His people to walk in a manner worthy of His name. Ultimately, it highlights the temporary nature of physical manifestations of God's presence (like the Temple) when compared to the enduring spiritual reality of His relationship with His people, which is sustained by their faithfulness and not by mere physical proximity or inherited status. It is a testament to God's unwavering moral order.
Reflection and Application
This ancient warning from God to Israel holds profound and timeless relevance for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder that spiritual privilege, whether personal or corporate, does not guarantee immunity from divine judgment if we become complacent or turn away from God's revealed will. Just as the magnificent Temple was not an absolute guarantee of God's presence irrespective of Israel's conduct, our spiritual heritage, church membership, or even profound theological understanding do not exempt us from the call to consistent, obedient faithfulness. The verse challenges us to examine the condition of our own "house"—our hearts, our lives, and our churches—to ensure that we are truly sanctified for God's name and not merely relying on outward forms or past blessings. God's warnings, though severe, are ultimately expressions of His love, designed to call us back to a path of life and blessing, emphasizing that genuine faith is always evidenced by obedience and a humble pursuit of His righteousness. It calls us to a vigilant and active pursuit of holiness, recognizing that God desires true devotion over ritualistic adherence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Did God really destroy His own Temple?
Yes, tragically, the prophecy in 2 Chronicles 7:20 regarding the Temple's destruction was fulfilled. God did not physically destroy it Himself, but He allowed foreign powers to do so as a consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. The first Temple, built by Solomon and consecrated for God's name, was indeed destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, as recorded in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52. This act demonstrated that God's presence is not bound to a physical building if His people abandon Him, and His holiness demands justice for covenant breaking, proving that even sacred objects are subject to His righteous judgment.
What does 'proverb and a byword' mean in this context?
To be made a "proverb and a byword" means that Israel would become an object of widespread scorn, mockery, and a cautionary tale among other nations. Instead of being a nation admired for its unique relationship with God and its prosperity, it would become a notorious example of divine judgment, a subject of derisive sayings and taunts. This prophecy was fulfilled during the Babylonian exile and subsequent periods of subjugation, where Israel's suffering and displacement became a stark illustration of the consequences of forsaking their God. This is vividly depicted in passages like Lamentations 2:15-16, where onlookers mock Jerusalem's downfall.
How does this warning relate to God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
2 Chronicles 7:20 is the stark counterpoint to the gracious promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Verse 14 offers a pathway to restoration and healing for the land if God's people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Verse 20, however, outlines the severe consequences if they fail to do so. Together, these verses form a complete picture of God's conditional covenant with Israel: immense blessings for obedience, but dire judgments for disobedience. They highlight God's justice and His desire for His people to choose life and faithfulness, presenting both the hope of repentance and the solemn reality of consequences, underscoring the seriousness of their covenant relationship.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While 2 Chronicles 7:20 is a stern warning under the Old Covenant, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and transformation in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Temple," the true dwelling place of God among humanity, as He declared in John 2:19-21. His body was indeed "plucked up" from the earth in death on the cross, but gloriously raised to new life, signifying God's ultimate victory over sin and death. He perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law, enduring the "proverb and a byword" of human scorn and rejection on the cross (as foreshadowed in Psalm 22:6-7 and prophesied in Isaiah 53:3), so that those who believe in Him might receive an unconditional inheritance of grace. Under the New Covenant, the security of God's people is no longer dependent on their perfect performance or the sanctity of physical structures, but on their perfect union with Christ through faith. Believers are now collectively the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19) and the Church is built upon Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22), a spiritual house not subject to physical destruction. While the Old Covenant's conditional warnings serve as a sober reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, Christ's sacrifice secures an eternal covenant of grace for His elect. Yet, the principle of ultimate accountability remains: those who ultimately reject Christ and His saving work face an eternal "plucking up" and final, irrevocable separation from God's presence, as warned in passages like Matthew 13:41-42. Thus, 2 Chronicles 7:20 points to the absolute necessity of a righteous mediator and foreshadows the final judgment that Christ averted for His people, while also confirming the just wrath for those who remain in rebellion.