Acts 7:47

KJV

But Solomon built him an house.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Solomon {G4672} built {G3618} him {G846} an house {G3624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and Shlomo did build him a house.

Berean Standard Bible

But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

American Standard Version

But Solomon built him a house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:47, a concise declaration within Stephen's extensive historical address before the Sanhedrin, states that "Solomon built him an house." This statement serves as a pivotal point in Stephen's argument, marking the transition from the mobile Tabernacle to the permanent Temple in Jerusalem. While acknowledging a significant historical event in Israel's worship, Stephen strategically uses this fact to lay the groundwork for his radical theological claim that the Most High God is not confined to human-made structures, thereby challenging the Sanhedrin's Temple-centric theology.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded in Stephen's powerful and comprehensive defense, which spans much of [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Speech and Martyrdom"). Stephen, accused of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law, recounts Israel's history from Abraham through Moses, the wilderness wanderings, and the establishment of the Tabernacle. He highlights God's presence with His people even before a fixed dwelling, specifically mentioning the [Tabernacle of Witness](/acts/7-44 "Acts 7:44 - The Tabernacle of Witness"), which accompanied them. The mention of Solomon building the Temple in [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple") acts as a direct historical link, transitioning from the portable dwelling to the permanent structure, and critically, setting the stage for Stephen's climactic theological assertion in [Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands") that God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. This narrative progression underscores Stephen's argument that God's presence is not limited by physical structures or human institutions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the First Temple by King Solomon was a monumental event in ancient Israel, detailed in books like [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple") and [2 Chronicles 3](/2_chronicles/3 "2 Chronicles 3 - Construction of the Temple"). It fulfilled King David's desire to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant and for the worship of Yahweh, a task God entrusted to his son, Solomon (cf. [2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Covenant with David")). The Temple became the central edifice of Israelite worship, national identity, and perceived divine presence. For Stephen's audience, the Sanhedrin, the Temple was sacrosanct, representing the very core of their religious and national life. By acknowledging Solomon's role, Stephen demonstrates his knowledge of their sacred history, but by immediately pivoting to God's transcendence, he challenges their deeply held, and perhaps idolatrous, reverence for the physical structure itself.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple") contributes to several key themes within Stephen's speech and the broader book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **progressive nature of God's revelation and dwelling** among His people, moving from the nomadic Tabernacle to the static Temple. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **human agency in divine plans**, as Solomon, a human king, built this significant structure for God. However, the most crucial theme this verse sets up is the **transcendence of God over human constructs**. Stephen is not merely recounting history; he is building a theological argument that God is not confined to any building, no matter how grand. This prepares the audience for the radical truth that God's presence is not bound by a physical Temple, a truth that foreshadows the New Covenant understanding of God dwelling in believers and in the spiritual community of the Church, as articulated in [Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction. In [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple"), "but" functions as a subtle yet significant transition. It shifts the narrative from the divinely commanded and mobile Tabernacle to the human-initiated and permanent Temple, setting up the contrast that Stephen will immediately develop regarding God's true dwelling place. It signals a shift in focus or a counterpoint to the preceding historical account.
* **built (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** Derived from the word for "house-builder," this verb literally means "to construct" or "to build a house." In this context, it refers to the physical act of erecting the Temple. While the word itself is neutral, Stephen's use of it here emphasizes the human effort involved in the Temple's creation, reinforcing his subsequent point that a structure built by human hands cannot contain the infinite God.
* **house (Greek, _oîkos'_):** This word denotes a dwelling, a home, or by implication, a temple. In [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple"), "house" specifically refers to the magnificent Temple constructed by Solomon in Jerusalem. Stephen's choice of this common term for a dwelling, rather than a more exalted title, subtly underscores its nature as a physical, finite structure, contrasting with the boundless nature of the God for whom it was built.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Solomon":** This phrase marks a deliberate shift in Stephen's historical recounting. "But" (G1161 dé) introduces a new phase in the story of God's interaction with Israel, moving from the wilderness Tabernacle to the settled monarchy. Solomon (G4672 Solomṓn) is identified as the specific human agent responsible for the next significant development in Israel's worship architecture.
* **"built him":** The verb "built" (G3618 oikodoméō) highlights the physical construction. The pronoun "him" (G846 autós) refers to God, indicating that the house was intended for divine worship and presence. This clause acknowledges the Israelite belief that the Temple was God's dwelling place, setting up the tension with Stephen's subsequent theological claim.
* **"an house":** This refers to the First Temple in Jerusalem (G3624 oîkos), a monumental and central structure in Israelite religious life. The simple phrasing "an house" underscores its physical, tangible nature, preparing the audience for Stephen's argument that God, being transcendent, cannot be confined by such a building.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's concise statement in [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple") employs several literary devices. There is a clear use of **Historical Reference**, as Stephen accurately cites a well-known and pivotal event in Israelite history—the construction of the Temple by Solomon. This serves to establish his credibility and demonstrates his knowledge of the very traditions his accusers held dear. More subtly, the verse functions as an instance of **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**. By stating this historical fact, Stephen is not merely recounting; he is building a rhetorical bridge to his next, more radical assertion in [Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands"). The seemingly simple statement about Solomon's building project is a setup for a profound theological **Contrast** between human efforts to contain God and God's uncontainable, transcendent nature. The **Conciseness** of the phrase itself ("But Solomon built him an house") allows it to stand as a stark, factual counterpoint to the preceding narrative of the mobile Tabernacle, emphasizing the transition from a portable to a fixed dwelling, which is crucial for the theological argument Stephen is constructing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:47, while a simple historical statement, is pregnant with theological significance, especially when read in its immediate context. It acknowledges the human desire and effort to create a sacred space for God's presence, a natural inclination rooted in the human need for tangible points of worship. However, Stephen's purpose in mentioning Solomon's Temple is not to glorify the structure but to set the stage for a profound theological truth: God's presence is not limited or contained by any physical building, no matter how grand or divinely inspired its origins. This verse, therefore, highlights the tension between God's immanence (His presence among His people) and His transcendence (His nature as beyond all creation). It challenges the notion that God is bound to a particular location or structure, preparing the way for a more spiritual and universal understanding of worship and God's dwelling.

* [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1-2 "Isaiah 66:1-2 - God's Throne and Dwelling")
* [John 4:21-24](/john/4-21-24 "John 4:21-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:47, particularly in light of Stephen's subsequent declaration, serves as a powerful reminder that while physical spaces for worship can be valuable for community, instruction, and shared reverence, God Himself is not confined to them. We must guard against the tendency to limit God to our human constructs, whether they be grand buildings, specific rituals, or even our preferred theological systems. Our faith should not be tethered to a physical location or a particular form, but rather to a dynamic, spiritual relationship with the living God who transcends all boundaries. This verse encourages us to recognize God's omnipresence and to seek His presence not just in designated "holy places" but in every aspect of our lives and in the hearts of His people. It challenges us to understand that true worship is not about where we worship, but how—in spirit and truth—and to live as living temples where God's Spirit truly dwells.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we, in our modern context, sometimes fall into the trap of limiting God to physical spaces, specific traditions, or human-made institutions?**
* **In what ways can our individual lives and our collective community embody the "house" for God's presence, rather than relying solely on a physical building?**
* **How does the understanding that God is not confined to a building impact our approach to worship, mission, and daily living?**

### FAQ
**Why does Stephen mention Solomon building the Temple if he's going to argue God doesn't dwell in temples made by hands?**

Answer: Stephen's mention of Solomon building the Temple in [Acts 7:47](/acts/7-47 "Acts 7:47 - Solomon Builds the Temple") is a crucial part of his strategic historical argument, not an endorsement of the Temple's ultimate significance. He is meticulously tracing the history of God's dwelling among His people. He first highlights the [Tabernacle of Witness](/acts/7-44 "Acts 7:44 - The Tabernacle of Witness"), which was mobile and accompanied the Israelites, demonstrating that God's presence was not always fixed. By acknowledging Solomon's construction of the Temple, Stephen shows his respect for their shared history and the sacredness of the Temple in the eyes of his audience, the Sanhedrin. However, this historical fact serves as a setup for his radical and climactic theological assertion in the very next verse, [Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands"), where he declares that "the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." This progression allows Stephen to demonstrate that while God permitted and even commanded certain physical structures, His true nature transcends any human-made dwelling, thereby challenging the Sanhedrin's rigid, Temple-centric theology.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:47, by highlighting the human construction of a physical temple, subtly points forward to the ultimate "house" or dwelling place of God, which is found not in a building but in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple"). He is the true and perfect dwelling of God among humanity, the very embodiment of God's presence, making the physical Temple obsolete. Furthermore, through Christ, believers are incorporated into a new, spiritual temple. As the apostle Peter teaches, we are [living stones, built up a spiritual house](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House"), a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices. Paul echoes this, declaring that [believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit") and are [being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Built into a Holy Temple"). Thus, Solomon's Temple, while significant in its time, was a shadow pointing to the reality of God's dwelling in Christ and, by extension, in His Church, ultimately culminating in the vision of the New Jerusalem where [God Himself will dwell with His people](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People") without the need for a physical temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

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 8:20

And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

2 Samuel 7:13

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

1 Kings 6:37

In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:

1 Kings 6:38

And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which [is] the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

1 Chronicles 17:1

¶ Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.

2 Chronicles 3:1

¶ Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 Chronicles 2:1

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