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2 Chronicles 7:21

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And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?

And this house {H1004}, which is high {H5945}, shall be an astonishment {H8074} to every one that passeth {H5674} by it; so that he shall say {H559}, Why hath the LORD {H3068} done {H6213} thus unto this land {H776}, and unto this house {H1004}?

This house, now so exalted - everyone passing by will be shocked at the sight of it and will ask, 'Why has ADONAI done this to this land and to this house?'

And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’

And this house, which is so high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why hath Jehovah done thus unto this land, and to this house?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:21 is a solemn warning from God to King Solomon and the nation of Israel, delivered immediately after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the severe consequences of national disobedience and idolatry.

Context

Following Solomon's fervent prayer at the dedication of the First Temple, God appears to him and responds. While 2 Chronicles 7:14 offers a path to restoration through humility and repentance, the verses that follow (2 Chronicles 7:19-22) detail the dire repercussions if Israel turns away from God. Verse 21 specifically foretells the desolation of the very Temple they had just dedicated, a stark contrast to its initial glory. This warning echoes earlier covenant stipulations found in the Torah, such as the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse powerfully illustrates that God's covenant with Israel was conditional. Their continued dwelling in the land and the sanctity of the Temple depended on their faithfulness. Disobedience, particularly the worship of other gods, would lead to severe judgment.
  • The Conditional Nature of God's Blessings: The Temple, though built for God's presence, was not an untouchable charm. Its fate was tied to the nation's spiritual state. Its destruction would be a testament to Israel's failure to uphold their end of the covenant.
  • A Public Spectacle of Desolation: The "astonishment" signifies not just internal suffering but a public, observable ruin that would prompt outsiders to question why such a mighty God would allow such devastation to His own land and house. This public questioning underscores the severity of the judgment.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "this house, which is high" refers to the Temple's physical grandeur and prominence. The Hebrew word for "high" (ram) denotes elevation and exaltation, emphasizing its perceived invincibility and majesty.
  • "Astonishment" (Hebrew: shammah) is a strong word, often translated as desolation, horror, or ruin. It conveys a profound shock and dismay, indicating the extent of the devastation that would befall the Temple and the land. This wasn't just surprise, but a deep sense of horror at the collapse of what was once glorious.

Historical Fulfillment and Cross-References

Tragically, this prophecy was fulfilled centuries later when the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Solomon's Temple in 586 BC, leading to the Babylonian exile. Prophets like Jeremiah and Lamentations vividly describe this period of national catastrophe. For instance, Jeremiah 52:13 records the burning of the Lord's house, and Lamentations 2:7 mourns the abandonment of the sanctuary. The very question posed in this verse – "Why hath the LORD done thus?" – became a desperate cry among the exiled Israelites.

Practical Application

While this warning was specific to ancient Israel and the physical Temple, its underlying principles remain relevant. It teaches us that:

  1. God is Serious About Obedience: His blessings are often conditional on our faithfulness to His commands.
  2. No External Form Guarantees Favor: A grand church building or impressive rituals do not guarantee God's presence or blessing if the hearts of the people are far from Him.
  3. The Importance of True Worship: God desires a relationship based on a sincere heart, not just outward adherence to religious practices. Today, believers are called to be God's spiritual temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing internal purity over external structures.
  4. Consequences of Forsaking God: Turning away from God's truth, whether individually or as a community, leads to spiritual and often tangible consequences.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Jeremiah 22:8 (4 votes)

    And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

  • Jeremiah 22:9 (4 votes)

    Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

  • Jeremiah 19:8 (3 votes)

    And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

  • Jeremiah 16:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what [is] our iniquity? or what [is] our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

  • Jeremiah 16:12 (3 votes)

    And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:

  • Jeremiah 5:19 (2 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these [things] unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land [that is] not yours.

  • Jeremiah 50:13 (2 votes)

    Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.