2 Chronicles 7:3

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

And when all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} saw {H7200} how the fire {H784} came down {H3381}, and the glory {H3519} of the LORD {H3068} upon the house {H1004}, they bowed {H3766} themselves with their faces {H639} to the ground {H776} upon the pavement {H7531}, and worshipped {H7812}, and praised {H3034} the LORD {H3068}, saying, For he is good {H2896}; for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}.

All the people of Isra'el saw when the fire came down, and the glory of ADONAI was on the house; they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the flooring; prostrating themselves, they gave thanks to ADONAI, "for he is good, for his grace continues forever."

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

And all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Jehovah was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and gave thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:3 captures a profound moment of divine affirmation and human response during the dedication of Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. Following Solomon's heartfelt prayer and the completion of the sacrifices, God dramatically confirms His acceptance.

Context

This verse immediately follows God's powerful manifestation of His presence. In 2 Chronicles 7:1, fire descends from heaven, consuming the burnt offering and sacrifices, a clear sign of divine approval. Simultaneously, the glory of the LORD fills the Temple, making it impossible for the priests to enter (2 Chronicles 7:2). This echoes earlier demonstrations of God's presence, such as when His glory filled the Tabernacle after its completion (Exodus 40:34).

Key Themes

  • Divine Validation: The descent of fire and the visible glory of the LORD signify God's explicit acceptance of the Temple as His dwelling place and His approval of the sacrifices offered. It was a tangible confirmation of His covenant with Israel.
  • Reverent Awe and Worship: The immediate and unanimous response of "all the children of Israel" was to "bow themselves with their faces to the ground." This posture of prostration demonstrates deep reverence, humility, and overwhelming awe in the presence of God's manifest power and holiness.
  • God's Enduring Character: Their spontaneous praise, "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever," highlights a foundational truth about God. This phrase, a common refrain in Israelite worship (e.g., Psalm 136), emphasizes God's unchanging nature of benevolent goodness and steadfast love.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his mercy endureth for ever" translates the Hebrew ki l'olam hasdo (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ). The term hesed (חֶסֶד) is profoundly significant, denoting God's loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and enduring kindness that goes beyond mere pity. It speaks to a deep, active commitment to His people, which is eternal ("for ever").

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God desires to manifest His presence: Just as He filled the Temple, God desires to be present in the lives of His people and in our worship.
  • Our response to God's presence should be profound: Like the Israelites, we are called to respond with humility, awe, and heartfelt worship when we encounter God's goodness and power.
  • Worship is rooted in God's character: Our praise should always acknowledge God's inherent goodness and His unchanging, enduring mercy. Understanding His mercies that are new every morning strengthens our faith and worship.
The scene in 2 Chronicles 7:3 is a timeless testament to the power of God's presence and the appropriate human response of worship and praise for His everlasting goodness and mercy.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:13

    It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD;

  • 2 Chronicles 20:21

    And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Luke 1:50

    And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.

  • Isaiah 63:7

    ¶ I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, [and] the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

  • Hebrews 7:24

    But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

  • Hebrews 7:25

    Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

  • Ezra 3:11

    And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

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