2 Samuel 7 22

2 Samuel 7:22 kjv

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 7:22 nkjv

Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 7:22 niv

"How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

2 Samuel 7:22 esv

Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 7:22 nlt

"How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!

2 Samuel 7 verses

2 Samuel 7 22 Meaning

David's declaration in 2 Samuel 7:22 is a profound confession of God's unparalleled greatness, uniqueness, and supreme sovereignty. It acknowledges the Lord God (Yahweh) as incomparable, with no other deity existing alongside Him, basing this understanding on the consistent and historical revelation of His character and mighty acts that the people have heard and experienced across generations. This verse serves as a worshipful response to the Lord's faithful promise of an eternal dynasty to David, affirming God's divine nature as the foundation for His unbreakable covenant.

2 Samuel 7 22 Context

This verse is embedded within David's prayer of thanksgiving (2 Sam 7:18-29), which immediately follows the Lord's profound promise of an eternal dynasty for David through Nathan the prophet (2 Sam 7:8-16). God, through Nathan, tells David that He, not David, will build David a "house" – a lasting lineage and kingdom – effectively establishing the Davidic Covenant. David, overwhelmed by this gracious and unsolicited promise, responds with deep humility and worship. Verse 22 functions as the theological anchor of his prayer, providing the foundation for his amazement and trust: God's inherent greatness and unique identity are the reasons He can make and fulfill such magnificent and unparalleled promises. Historically, this declaration of unique monotheism stands in stark contrast to the prevalent polytheistic cultures of the Ancient Near East, where multiple, often warring, deities were worshipped. David's words are a clear affirmation of Yahweh's supreme and sole authority.

2 Samuel 7 22 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן - laken): This conjunction means "thus," "wherefore," or "for this reason." It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that David's ensuing declaration of God's greatness is a logical conclusion derived from the preceding divine promises (the Davidic Covenant) delivered through Nathan. It highlights the consequence of God's revealed character and faithfulness.

• thou art great (גָּדַלְתָּ - gadálta): From the root gadol (גָּדוֹל), meaning "great," "large," "magnificent," or "supreme." The verbal form here emphasizes God's active state of being great and demonstrates David's acknowledgment and praise of this quality. This greatness refers not just to size or power, but to character, authority, and ability to perform wondrous acts beyond human comprehension.

• O Lord God (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה - Adonai Yĕhovih):

  • Lord (Adonai): A title of respectful address meaning "my Lord" or "Master." It emphasizes sovereignty and authority.
  • God (Yĕhovih or Yahweh): The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses ("I Am Who I Am" - Ex 3:14). It signifies His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithful, covenant-keeping relationship with His people. The combination "Lord God" signifies the majestic and covenant-keeping Sovereign of the universe.

• for there is none like thee (כִּי אֵין כָּמוֹךָ - ki 'ên kâmôkha):

  • for (ki): Explanatory particle, "because" or "for." It grounds God's greatness in His uniqueness.
  • none like thee ('ên kâmôkha): This is a powerful declaration of God's absolute incomparability and uniqueness. There is no other being, divine or otherwise, that can be paralleled to Yahweh in nature, power, holiness, or covenant faithfulness. It directly refutes the claims of all other gods worshipped by surrounding nations.

• neither is there any God beside thee (וְאֵין אֱלֹהִים מִבַּלְעָדֶיךָ - v'êyn 'ĕlôhîm mibbale‘ádékha):

  • nor (v'ên): "and there is no."
  • any God ('ĕlôhîm): The Hebrew term Elohim can refer to God or gods. Here, in contrast to "thee," it emphasizes the non-existence of other deities apart from Yahweh. It is a monotheistic statement.
  • beside thee (mibbale‘ádékha): Meaning "apart from you" or "except for you." This further emphasizes the singular nature of God, denying the existence of any rival or equivalent deity.

• according to all that we have heard with our ears (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ בְּאָזְנֵינוּ - b’kōl ’ăsher shāma‘nū b’oznēnú):

  • This phrase emphasizes the basis of David's understanding. It's not a new revelation but a confirmation of long-standing, received truth. "We have heard" implies collective and historical knowledge, passed down through generations (e.g., the Shema, God's mighty acts in the Exodus, the giving of the Law). It highlights:
    • Revelation: God has consistently revealed Himself through word and deed.
    • Testimony: The faith is grounded in tangible historical events and spoken prophecies.
    • Collective Understanding: It's the shared conviction of Israel, rooted in their sacred history.
    • Authenticity: The truth of God's uniqueness is empirically verified by what has been communicated and observed throughout Israel's history.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Therefore thou art great, O Lord God": Links God's revealed character (greatness and covenant name) directly to the astounding grace of His recent promise to David. It shows worship born from understanding divine action.
  • "for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee": This is the core monotheistic affirmation, a strong theological declaration of Yahweh's uniqueness and sole deity. It's an exclusive claim that distinguishes Him from all pagan gods and affirms His supremacy.
  • "according to all that we have heard with our ears": Provides the experiential and traditional grounding for David's declaration. It roots theological truth in consistent, historical divine revelation, not abstract philosophy, but in concrete acts and words communicated by God over generations to His people.

2 Samuel 7 22 Bonus section

This verse reflects a foundational truth of Old Testament theology often referred to as Yahweh's "incomparability." This concept is a core pillar of Israelite faith, distinguishing it sharply from surrounding polytheistic beliefs. The phrasing "none like Thee" (Ex 15:11; Isa 40:18, 25) and "no God besides Thee" (Isa 45:5, 21) are frequently used polemical statements against the idol worship and false gods of other nations. David's prayer here is a liturgical response that internalizes this theological reality in the context of divine grace, showing that an understanding of God's unique nature fosters worship and trust in His covenant promises. It also subtly reinforces the idea that true knowledge of God comes through His self-revelation (hearing), rather than human speculation or observation alone.

2 Samuel 7 22 Commentary

2 Samuel 7:22 encapsulates David's profound theological realization following the establishment of the Davidic Covenant. It's not a detached theological statement, but a heartfelt burst of worship recognizing God's matchless identity and power as the unshakeable foundation for His extraordinary promises. David connects God's "greatness" and His unparalleled uniqueness ("none like thee") directly to the specific acts and revelations that Israel had consistently "heard with their ears" since their inception. This confirms that God's covenant with David is a consistent outflow of His singular nature, unlike any fickle or limited pagan deity. It highlights the divine faithfulness that transcends human merit and ensures the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan. It serves as a potent reminder that divine revelation is not only heard but affirmed and deeply understood through generations.