2 Chronicles 6 9

2 Chronicles 6:9 kjv

Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.

2 Chronicles 6:9 nkjv

Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.'

2 Chronicles 6:9 niv

Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood?he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.'

2 Chronicles 6:9 esv

Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.'

2 Chronicles 6:9 nlt

but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honor me.'

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 9 Meaning

This verse is Solomon's direct acknowledgement and recollection of God's specific promise to his father, King David. It confirms that the divine directive was clear: David himself would not build the Temple, but rather his direct, biological son would be the one appointed by God to construct the physical "house" for God's name. This highlights God's sovereignty in fulfilling His promises and His meticulous choice of builder for His dwelling place.

2 Chronicles 6 9 Context

This verse is situated within Solomon's prayer of dedication at the completion of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 6 describes this pivotal moment where Solomon stands before the congregation of Israel, recalling the entire history of God's dealings with His people, culminating in the construction of this House. Specifically, in verse 9, Solomon echoes God's words to his father, David, establishing the foundational divine promise that shaped the Temple's very existence. The broader historical context is the transfer of the building mandate from the valiant King David, who had a fervent desire to build for God, to his son Solomon, the king of peace. This sequence, explicitly detailed in earlier books, underscored that the Temple's construction was not a human initiative but a direct fulfillment of a specific, divine covenant stipulation. It also set the stage for understanding the Temple as the place where God would 'put His Name', a polemic against common ancient Near Eastern practices where kings built temples to elevate their own glory or to many gods, contrasting it with the singular purpose for the One God of Israel and His chosen King.

2 Chronicles 6 9 Word analysis

• Only (Heb. `raq` רַק): This word functions as an adverb meaning "only," "nothing but," or "indeed." Here, its primary force is exclusiveness. It stresses that no one else, specifically not David himself, but only the designated successor would undertake the task of building the House. This highlights God's sovereign choice and singular authorization for the sacred project.
• your son (Heb. `binkha` בִּנְךָ): This refers to a direct male offspring, emphasizing legitimate lineage. The term specifies Solomon as David's natural son, crucial for succession within the Davidic covenant and the royal dynasty.
• who comes from your loins (Heb. `ʾasher yētṣēʾ mimmeʿēykha` אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מִמֵּעֶיךָ): Literally translated "who goes out from your inwards/bowels," this is a powerful idiom denoting direct biological descent or progeny. It reinforces that the builder would not be merely a designated heir but David's own flesh and blood, ensuring the divine promise passed through his literal lineage.
• he shall build (Heb. `huʾ yivne` הוּא יִבְנֶה): The pronoun "he" is emphatic, isolating Solomon as the specific builder, reinforcing the exclusive nature of the task given to him by God. The verb `banah` (בָּנָה), "to build," is precisely about construction. Notably, this word for "build" also forms a beautiful wordplay with `bayit` (בַּיִת), meaning "house" or "dynasty," a connection fundamental to the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7) where God promised to build David's "house" (dynasty) through his descendant who would, in turn, build God's "house" (temple).
• the house (Heb. `habbayit` הַבַּיִת): In this immediate context, this refers unequivocally to the physical Temple structure that Solomon had just completed. It is the sacred dwelling place, where God's presence would be uniquely manifested among His people.
• for My name (Heb. `lišmi` לִשְׁמִי): This is a highly significant theological phrase. It does not mean building a house for a literal "name," but rather signifies building it for God's character, reputation, presence, and authority. The Temple was to be a place where God's being, glory, and renown would be manifest and worshipped. It denotes divine ownership and purpose, emphasizing that the Temple's function was to honor God alone, not the king or the nation.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "Only your son who comes from your loins": This phrase functions as a clear statement of divine designation and exclusionary selection. It contrasts with David's own passionate desire to build and unequivocally states that God’s plan involved a specific lineage and a specific individual, precluding any self-initiated human effort, even well-intended ones, from completing this sacred task.
• "he shall build the house for My name": This clause sets the ultimate purpose and attribution of the Temple. It is not built for human glory, national pride, or the king's legacy, but solely for the manifestation, worship, and honor of God's character and presence. This underscores God's sovereignty over the Temple's very existence and purpose.

2 Chronicles 6 9 Bonus section

This verse directly reflects the consistent biblical narrative where God initiates, commands, and completes His plans, often using human agents according to His specific choices. It counters any Ancient Near Eastern perceptions that a king's spiritual fervor or power enabled temple construction, instead positioning it as a direct fulfillment of God's own covenant promise, validating the Temple's sanctity and Solomon's reign as divinely appointed. The transition of the building mandate from David, a "man of war," to Solomon, a "man of rest/peace" (1 Chron 22:8-9), further signifies God's purposeful choice for the Temple to be built in an era of peace, reflective of its purpose as a dwelling place of tranquility. The continued mention of "My name" throughout the Temple narratives underscores that God's omnipresence does not mean He is "contained" within a building, but rather that He chose to make His presence, character, and covenant relationship known in a unique and specific way at this place.

2 Chronicles 6 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:9 encapsulates a profound theological truth regarding God's divine plan and faithfulness. As part of Solomon's magnificent dedication prayer for the Temple, this verse is a pivotal callback to the original covenant made with David, specifically highlighting God's stipulation that not David, but his son—Solomon—would be the one to construct the sacred edifice. This serves as a public declaration of divine authority over human will, even that of a righteous king like David, demonstrating that God's specific commands must take precedence. The emphasis on the builder being "from your loins" highlights the importance of divinely ordained succession and physical lineage within the Davidic covenant, setting the stage for the coming Messiah who would be the ultimate "Son" and builder of God's eternal spiritual house (the Church). The purpose, "for My name," elevates the Temple beyond a mere physical structure to a place solely consecrated for the manifestation and worship of God's character and presence, ensuring all glory and focus remain upon Him. This verse teaches us the significance of operating within God's perfect timing and plan, recognizing that genuine spiritual achievements are always God-ordained and for His exclusive glory.