But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

2 CHRONICLES 2:6KJV
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2 Chronicles 2:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 2:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 2:6 says that no one is truly able to build a house for God, because even the highest heavens cannot contain Him; the temple Solomon wants to build is only for offering sacrifices. Solomon is expressing humility, recognizing that God’s greatness far exceeds anything humans can construct.

Solomon is speaking as king of Israel, writing to Hiram, king of Tyre, as he prepares to build the temple in Jerusalem. He points out that God is so vast that even the "heaven and heaven of heavens" (the highest imaginable places) cannot hold Him, so any temple built is not to house God, but to provide a place for worship and sacrifices.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 2:6

  • "Able" (עָצַר, atsar; כֹּחַ, koach): The words used here highlight human limitation and strength, emphasizing that no one has the power or capacity to truly build a house for God.
  • "Contain" (כּוּן, kun): This word means to hold or sustain, underscoring the idea that God cannot be confined or limited by any physical space, not even the vast heavens.
  • "Heaven" (שָׁמַיִם, shamayim): Repeated for emphasis, this word refers to the sky, the universe, and even the highest spiritual realms, showing just how far beyond creation God is.
  • "Sacrifice" (קָטַר, qatar): This word means to burn or offer incense, clarifying that the temple’s main purpose is to provide a place for offerings, not to serve as a literal dwelling for God.

Why 2 Chronicles 2:6 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the temple was ever meant to be God’s actual home; Solomon himself says it cannot contain God.
  • It highlights Solomon’s humility and understanding of God’s greatness, setting the tone for the temple project as an act of worship, not an attempt to limit or control God.
  • The verse connects to the larger biblical theme that God’s presence is not confined to buildings, but that places of worship are for people to draw near to God through sacrifice and prayer.

Where else these words appear

“contain” Hebrew H3557 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
  • 1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
  • Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

“only” Hebrew H518 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • 2 Samuel 17:13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

“able” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

“sacrifice” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.