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!

But will God {H430} in very deed {H552} dwell {H3427} with men {H120} on the earth {H776}? behold, heaven {H8064} and the heaven {H8064} of heavens {H8064} cannot contain {H3557} thee; how much less this house {H1004} which I have built {H1129}!

"But can God actually live with human beings on the earth? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain you; so how much less this house I have built?

But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

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 builded!

Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:18 captures a profound moment in King Solomon's prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. He expresses awe and humility, grappling with the incredible paradox of an infinite God choosing to dwell in a finite structure built by human hands.

Context

This verse is central to Solomon's lengthy prayer found in 2 Chronicles chapter 6, offered at the dedication of the magnificent Temple he built. After years of preparation and construction, the Temple was meant to be the focal point of Israel's worship and a tangible sign of God's covenant presence among His people. Solomon, however, immediately acknowledges that no physical edifice, no matter how grand, could truly contain the Creator of the universe. His question, "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" highlights the extraordinary nature of God's condescension.

Key Themes

  • Divine Transcendence and Immanence: Solomon articulates the tension between God's absolute greatness and His willingness to be present. God's transcendence means He is beyond and above all creation (Isaiah 66:1), as "heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee." Yet, His immanence means He chooses to draw near and dwell among His people.
  • God's Uncontainable Nature: The phrase "heaven and the heaven of heavens" emphasizes the boundless extent of God's dominion and presence, far beyond any earthly structure. This echoes sentiments found in 1 Kings 8:27, where a similar prayer is recorded.
  • Humility in Worship: Solomon's rhetorical question is not one of doubt, but of profound reverence and wonder. It underscores the incredible privilege and mystery of God's desire for relationship with humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "heaven and the heaven of heavens" (Hebrew: שָׁמַיִם וּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, shamayim ushmey hashamayim) is a superlative expression, signifying the uttermost reaches of the cosmos – the entire created universe. It powerfully conveys God's infinite nature and omnipresence, emphasizing that He is not limited by space or time. The concept of God "dwelling" (Hebrew: יָשַׁב, yashav) with men, though seemingly paradoxical given His uncontainable nature, points to His gracious act of making His presence known and accessible.

Practical Application

Solomon's prayer remains deeply relevant today. It reminds us that:

  • God is Not Confined: While we gather in churches or places of worship, God's presence is not limited to these buildings. He is omnipresent and can be encountered anywhere, at any time.
  • The Believer as God's Temple: In the New Testament, believers are taught that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and that the Church, as a collective body, is God's spiritual house (Ephesians 2:22).
  • Awe and Humility in Prayer: Like Solomon, we should approach God with reverence, recognizing His infinite majesty while marveling at His willingness to draw near to us.
  • The Ultimate Dwelling: This verse foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment described in Revelation 21:3, where it is declared, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them." This speaks to a future reality where God's presence will be fully and eternally with His redeemed people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 2:6 (6 votes)

    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?

  • Isaiah 66:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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?

  • Psalms 139:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

  • Psalms 139:10 (5 votes)

    Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:15 (3 votes)

    Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

  • Psalms 113:5 (3 votes)

    Who [is] like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

  • Psalms 113:6 (3 votes)

    Who humbleth [himself] to behold [the things that are] in heaven, and in the earth!