2 Chronicles 7:8 kjv
Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 7:8 nkjv
At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 7:8 niv
So Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him?a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 7:8 esv
At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 7:8 nlt
For the next seven days Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Shelters. A large congregation had gathered from as far away as Lebo-hamath in the north and the Brook of Egypt in the south.
2 Chronicles 7 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 23:33-43 | "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered...feast of booths for seven days..." | Regulations for Sukkot, 7 days. |
| Deut 16:13-15 | "You shall keep the Feast of Booths for seven days...rejoice..." | Commandment for observing Sukkot. |
| 1 Kgs 8:65-66 | "So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him..." | Parallel account in Kings. |
| 2 Chron 5:3 | "And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast which was in the seventh month." | Earlier mention of assembly for the feast. |
| 2 Chron 6:1 | "Then Solomon said, ‘The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.’" | Context of Temple dedication. |
| 2 Chron 7:1-3 | "As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven..." | God's immediate response to dedication. |
| 2 Chron 7:9 | "On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly..." | Continuation, eighth day of assembly. |
| Num 29:12-38 | Details sacrifices required for the Feast of Booths (Sukkot). | Detailed rituals for the feast. |
| Neh 8:14-18 | "They found it written...the children of Israel should dwell in booths..." | Observance of Sukkot after exile. |
| Exo 23:16 | "The Feast of Ingathering, at the end of the year..." | Another name for Sukkot, harvest feast. |
| Exo 34:22 | "You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end." | Reinforces pilgrimage feasts. |
| Isa 2:2-4 | "In the latter days the mountain of the house of the LORD...shall be raised..." | Prophetic vision of future assembly in Zion. |
| Psa 122:1-4 | "I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’" | Joy of pilgrims going to Jerusalem/Temple. |
| Zech 14:16-19 | "Then everyone who survives of all the nations...go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths." | Future gentile worship and Sukkot. |
| John 2:19-21 | "Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’...he was speaking about the temple of his body." | Jesus as the true temple. |
| John 7:2-39 | Jesus at the Feast of Booths offering "living water." | Jesus fulfilling the symbolic meaning of Sukkot. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as the dwelling of God's Spirit. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "For we are the temple of the living God..." | Believers as God's spiritual temple. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone..." | The church as God's spiritual dwelling place. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." | Believers as spiritual temple elements. |
| Heb 10:25 | "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some..." | Importance of congregational gathering. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man..." | God's ultimate dwelling with His redeemed. |
| Rev 21:22 | "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb." | Final state of no physical temple. |
2 Chronicles 7 verses
2 Chronicles 7 8 Meaning
Second Chronicles 7:8 describes King Solomon, along with a vast gathering of the entire nation of Israel, diligently observing a week-long festival. This momentous occasion immediately followed the consecration and dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing a pinnacle of national unity, worship, and the fulfillment of God's covenant with His people through David and Solomon.
2 Chronicles 7 8 Context
2 Chronicles 7:8 is set immediately after the grand dedication of Solomon's Temple, a pivotal moment in Israelite history. The preceding verses (2 Chron 7:1-3) describe God's miraculous affirmation of the Temple through fire consuming the burnt offerings and His glory filling the house, causing the people to worship Him. Solomon's extensive dedication prayer (2 Chron 6) had just concluded. This verse therefore follows the spiritual high point of divine presence and validation. Historically, this feast, believed to be the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals (Lev 23; Deut 16) where all Israel was commanded to appear before the Lord. The dedication of such a significant national monument during one of the most important national festivals amplified the event's spiritual and communal significance, showcasing Israel's unity and devotion at a peak under King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 7 8 Word analysis
So: Connects this action directly to the divine affirmation and glory experienced, indicating a subsequent or resulting activity.
Solomon: The third king of united Israel, son of David, responsible for building the first permanent Temple for the Lord. His leadership in this sacred assembly is highlighted.
kept: From the Hebrew
עָשָׂה(‘asah), meaning "to do," "make," "perform," or "observe." It implies the active and deliberate performance of the religious rite, signifying diligent obedience and execution of the festival's requirements.the feast: From the Hebrew
חָג(chag), a festival, specifically a sacred pilgrimage festival. In this context, it unequivocally refers to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), given its duration and timing in the seventh month. This feast celebrated God's provision during the wilderness wandering and symbolized God dwelling with His people.at that time: Provides a temporal anchor, emphasizing the direct succession of events. The feast immediately followed the Temple's dedication, linking human obedience and national celebration to God's manifested presence.
seven days: The exact prescribed duration for the Feast of Tabernacles, confirming the strict adherence to Mosaic law and the magnitude of the sustained worship.
and all Israel with him: Highlights the nationwide participation and unprecedented unity of the tribes of Israel, gathered from all parts of the kingdom. This underscores the scale and national significance of the religious event.
a very great congregation: From the Hebrew
קָהָל גָּדוֹל מְאֹד(qahal gadol me'od). Qahal signifies an assembly for a sacred purpose, emphasizing the religious nature of the gathering. Gadol me'od (very great) stresses the immense number of people, indicating widespread devotion, prosperity, and the immense drawing power of God's presence at the Temple.Words-group analysis:
- Solomon kept the feast: Demonstrates King Solomon's spiritual leadership and obedience to divine command in public worship, setting a precedent for the nation.
- at that time seven days: Pinpoints the event chronologically and by duration, establishing it as the full, Mosaic-prescribed Feast of Tabernacles, intrinsically linked to the Temple dedication.
- all Israel with him, a very great congregation: Illustrates the unparalleled national unity and widespread religious zeal, affirming the solidarity of the tribes in collective worship, marking a zenith in Israel's spiritual life and prosperity.
2 Chronicles 7 8 Bonus section
This verse's account in 2 Chronicles provides a different emphasis compared to its parallel in 1 Kings 8. The Chronicler highlights the unified worship and the central role of the legitimate Davidic king in leading it, often underscoring national piety and the immediate response to God's glory. The grandeur of "a very great congregation" points to the stability and expansive reach of Solomon's kingdom at this moment, fulfilling promises of a numerous offspring. While the "feast" itself lasted seven days, it was immediately followed by a solemn assembly on the eighth day (2 Chron 7:9) before the people were dismissed. This distinction signifies the layers of sacred celebration surrounding the Temple dedication, combining the foundational Mosaic calendar with a unique, momentous national event. This unparalleled gathering underscores the theological significance of the Temple as the designated place where God met with His people.
2 Chronicles 7 8 Commentary
2 Chronicles 7:8 marks a triumphant climax following the magnificent dedication of Solomon's Temple. It shows a united Israel actively engaging in worship under Solomon's leadership. The specific identification of "the feast" as the Feast of Tabernacles highlights its deep roots in Israelite history (wilderness wandering) and future prophetic significance (God dwelling with humanity). The "seven days" demonstrate faithful observance of God's commands, while the description of "all Israel" as "a very great congregation" underscores the extraordinary national unity and devotion at this high point. It sets a historical benchmark for what united worship and kingly obedience could achieve, serving as a reminder of Israel's covenant potential when they walked in God's ways.