2 Chronicles 7 21

2 Chronicles 7:21 kjv

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?

2 Chronicles 7:21 nkjv

"And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?'

2 Chronicles 7:21 niv

This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?'

2 Chronicles 7:21 esv

And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?'

2 Chronicles 7:21 nlt

And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, 'Why did the LORD do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?'

2 Chronicles 7 verses

2 Chronicles 7 21 Meaning

The verse prophesies a future state of desolation for the Temple and the land of Judah if the people turn away from God's commands. What was once magnificent and glorious would become a shocking sight, prompting observers to question the reason for such immense divine judgment on God's chosen land and His sacred dwelling place. It highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings and the severe consequences of national disobedience.

2 Chronicles 7 21 Context

2 Chronicles 7 is part of God's response to King Solomon after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, detailed in chapter 6. Following the outpouring of God's glory (fire consuming sacrifices, 2 Chr 7:1-3) and a great national celebration, God appears to Solomon at night (2 Chr 7:12). God reiterates His acceptance of the Temple and hears Solomon's prayer (2 Chr 7:12-16), but crucially, He then delivers a conditional promise and a solemn warning. Verse 21 falls within this warning (2 Chr 7:19-22). God warns that if Israel abandons Him, the glorious Temple and the promised land will face utter desolation. This context establishes that even divine blessings are contingent upon faithfulness to the covenant, challenging any assumption of unconditional protection for physical structures or national identity apart from righteous living. This prophecy tragically found its fulfillment centuries later with the destruction of the First Temple by Babylon and the subsequent Babylonian Exile (586 BC), and again with the Second Temple's destruction by Rome (70 AD).

2 Chronicles 7 21 Word analysis

• And this house, (וְהַבַּיִת הַזֶּה, vehabbayit hazzeh)
  • house: (בַּיִת, bayit) Refers specifically to the First Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem, an iconic and central structure to Israelite worship and national identity. It signifies a place of God's presence, sacrifice, and prayer.
  • this: (hazzeh) Emphasizes the specific and highly visible, glorious edifice.
• which is high, (אֲשֶׁר הָיָה עֶלְיוֹן, 'asher hayah 'elyon)
  • high: (עֶלְיוֹן, 'elyon) From the root עָלָה ('alah), meaning "to go up, ascend, be exalted." It denotes literal elevation (situated on Mount Moriah) and metaphorical eminence – glorious, prominent, celebrated. It points to its grandeur and symbolic status as a world wonder of its time.
• shall be an astonishment (יִהְיֶה לְשַׁמָּה, yihyeh leshammah)
  • shall be: (yihyeh) Denotes a definite future state, a prophecy of certain occurrence if conditions are met.
  • astonishment: (שַׁמָּה, shammah) A profound and severe term meaning "desolation, horror, devastation, utter ruin, appalling spectacle." It suggests a state that induces awe, shock, and deep perplexity, far beyond simple decay. It’s not just abandoned, but profoundly ravaged to incite horror and deep reflection.
• to every one that passeth by it; (לְכָל עֹבֵר עָלָיו, lekhol 'over 'alav)
  • every one: (כָּל, kol) Emphasizes the universal recognition and observation of this devastation, indicating its scale and profound impact on those who witness it.
  • passeth by: (עֹבֵר, 'over) Signifies an ongoing, casual observation by anyone passing the ruins, highlighting the Temple's prominent location and the visible nature of its destruction.
• so that he shall say, (וְאָמַר, ve'amar)
  • Indicates a natural and spontaneous verbal response of questioning, driven by the profound sight of desolation.
• Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, (לָמָּה עָשָׂה יְהוָה כָּכָה לָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת, lammah 'asah Yahweh kakah la'arets hazzo't)
  • Why: (לָמָּה, lammah) Expresses a question of cause or reason, indicating deep perplexity. Observers would be baffled that the covenant God would act in such a way toward His chosen people and promised land.
  • the LORD: (יְהוָה, Yahweh) The personal, covenant name of God. The questioning is specifically directed at God's action, assuming His involvement in the destruction due to their knowledge of His covenant relationship with Israel.
  • done thus: (עָשָׂה כָּכָה, 'asah kakah) Refers to such extreme and shocking devastation.
  • this land: (הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת, ha'arets hazzo't) Points to the whole Promised Land of Israel, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the judgment beyond just the Temple. The land, tied to the covenant, reflects the people's spiritual condition.
• and unto this house? (וְלַבַּיִת הַזֶּה, velabbayit hazzeh)
  • The question is repeated, focusing explicitly on the Temple. It underlines that even the most sacred object and place, considered by some as inviolable, is subject to divine judgment if God's people depart from Him. It also emphasizes that the desolation of the land and the house are inextricably linked, both manifestations of God's wrath due to covenant breaking.

2 Chronicles 7 21 Bonus section

The "astonishment" (שַׁמָּה, shammah) mentioned here carries a double meaning of physical ruin and the mental anguish, shock, and questioning that such utter devastation evokes. This reaction, "Why hath the LORD done thus?" (לָמָּה עָשָׂה יְהוָה כָּכָה), reveals a deeply embedded understanding within those asking the question: they knew who the LORD was and how He was supposed to relate to Israel according to the covenant. Thus, the desolation was completely antithetical to their perception of God's normal dealings with His people, making His severe judgment a cause for profound perplexity that could only be explained by severe covenant unfaithfulness on Israel's part. This verse thus lays bare the absolute sovereignty of God even over His most cherished earthly symbols, highlighting that His character of justice and holiness supersedes even His covenant promises if His people refuse to live by them.

2 Chronicles 7 21 Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:21 is a stern prophecy delivered by God to King Solomon, warning that the magnificent Temple, which had just been dedicated with immense glory, would become an object of astonishment and a desolate ruin if Israel abandoned the covenant. The "astonishment" describes not merely destruction but a sight so shocking that bypassers would audibly question why the covenant God had dealt so severely with His chosen people, their sacred land, and His own dwelling place. The answer, though not explicitly in this verse, is clear from the immediate preceding verses (2 Chr 7:19-20): the people's turning away from God, violating His statutes, and serving other gods. This passage profoundly illustrates that God's blessings and presence are conditional upon faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that external religiosity, represented by a grand Temple, does not guarantee divine favor when inward righteousness is lacking. This principle applies to spiritual houses (churches) today; a building or organization, no matter how glorious, cannot stand if its foundation and practices stray from God's truth.