2 Chronicles 6 5

2 Chronicles 6:5 kjv

Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:

2 Chronicles 6:5 nkjv

'Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel.

2 Chronicles 6:5 niv

'Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel.

2 Chronicles 6:5 esv

'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel;

2 Chronicles 6:5 nlt

'From the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. Nor have I chosen a king to lead my people Israel.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 5 Meaning

Solomon's prayer recounts God's historical interaction with Israel, stating that for a long period after delivering His people from Egypt, God had not chosen a specific city to establish a permanent temple for His name, nor had He selected a singular human ruler over the entire nation. This sets the historical context for God's later, sovereign choices regarding the dwelling place for His name and the establishment of the Davidic monarchy, as further detailed in the subsequent verses.

2 Chronicles 6 5 Context

Verse 5 is part of Solomon's extensive prayer during the dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chron 6:1-42). This prayer reflects on God's covenant faithfulness throughout Israel's history. Specifically, verse 5 sets a historical premise, emphasizing that for the entire period from the Exodus through the time of the Judges, God had not designated a fixed capital city for a central sanctuary nor chosen a single human king. This deliberate past withholding of choice magnifies the significance of God's later, specific choices: the city of Jerusalem as the permanent dwelling for His Name, and David as the anointed king, leading to the construction of this very Temple. It underlines that these pivotal developments were not based on human desire but on God's sovereign timing and divine will.

2 Chronicles 6 5 Word analysis

• Since the day that I brought forth My people out of the land of Egypt: This phrase establishes a starting point, anchoring the statement firmly in the pivotal event of the Exodus, which defined Israel's identity as God's redeemed people. The Hebrew term for "brought forth," hotze'ti (הוֹצֵאתִי), underscores a direct and powerful divine action. It emphasizes God's initiative in forming His nation.

• I chose no city: This highlights a deliberate divine decision not to select a specific, permanent site for worship immediately after the Exodus. Hebrew lo bacharti b'ir (לֹא בָחַרְתִּי בְעִיר - "I did not choose a city") points to God's patient leading during the period of the wilderness wanderings and the Judges, where the Tabernacle remained mobile.

• out of all the tribes of Israel: Emphasizes that this lack of choice was across the entire nation, showcasing a uniform period of God's interaction with all twelve tribes without singling one out for a sanctuary city.

• in which to build a house: Refers to a permanent dwelling place for divine worship, specifically a temple. This clarifies the type of "city" God did not immediately choose—one destined for His central sanctuary. The Hebrew bayit (בַּיִת) refers to a dwelling or house, here used for the Temple.

• that My name might be there: This clarifies the purpose of such a house. It means for God's presence to be acknowledged, His character revealed, His authority exercised, and His covenant relationship maintained in that place. It's about His reputation and authority being established, not about Him being physically contained within walls. The Hebrew sh'mi sham (שְׁמִי שָׁם) conveys this idea of divine representation and designated presence.

• nor did I choose any man: Parallel to "no city," this points to God's deliberate non-selection of a human monarch. The Hebrew v'lo bacharti b'ish (וְלֹא בָחַרְתִּי בְאִישׁ - "and I did not choose a man") highlights that for centuries, Israel existed without a divinely appointed king.

• to be a ruler over My people Israel: Specifies the role for which no man was chosen in this initial period—a sovereign king or nagid (נָגִיד), meaning "prince," "leader," or "commander." This reflects the time of the Judges when God Himself was considered Israel's direct king.

• Words-group: "I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house... nor did I choose any man to be a ruler..."This parallel structure in Solomon's prayer underscores God's intentional withholding of both a permanent, central place of worship and a single, central human monarch for an extended period after the Exodus. This emphasizes divine sovereignty and sets the stage for the revelation of God's specific choices in the next verse (2 Chron 6:6), highlighting that the Temple in Jerusalem and the Davidic dynasty were not human innovations but divinely orchestrated developments in God's ongoing plan for His people.

2 Chronicles 6 5 Bonus section

The concept of God placing "His name" in the Temple is crucial in Old Testament theology. It means more than mere association; it signifies that the Temple is the place where God's authority is supremely recognized, His character manifested, and His covenant revealed to Israel and the nations. It is not that God is confined within the building, for as later verses in this same prayer clarify (2 Chron 6:18), even heaven itself cannot contain Him. Rather, the Temple is the designated locus where God chooses to meet with His people and reveal Himself specifically. This patient and deliberate process, articulated in 2 Chronicles 6:5, reminds us of God's strategic timing, which often differs from human expectations. God's revelation unfolds in stages, guiding His people through varying phases of His covenant relationship.

2 Chronicles 6 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:5 serves as a profound preamble to Solomon's dedicatory prayer, illustrating God's deliberate, patient, and progressive work in establishing His presence and leadership among His people. It stresses that for a long and significant period after the Exodus—a time marked by the nomadic Tabernacle and the decentralized governance of the Judges—neither a central sanctuary nor a human monarchy was divinely instituted. This highlights that the Temple in Jerusalem and the Davidic kingship, which are being celebrated in this very dedication, were not logical outgrowths of earlier systems or human initiatives but were distinct and specific divine choices, revealed and fulfilled in God's perfect timing. It powerfully reinforces God's absolute sovereignty, reminding the assembled congregation and future generations that the very foundations of their national identity, including their sacred worship site and their ruling lineage, were by His express, unfolding design, not by accident or human will.