Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — All Israel witnesses the descent of fire and the visible glory of Yahweh hovering over the temple, which triggers immediate prostration and corporate thanksgiving. The event occurs at the conclusion of Solomon's dedication, directly following the moment the priests were barred from entering due to the overwhelming divine presence.
The words — The phrase בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (benei Yisra'el) literally means "sons of Israel," identifying the covenant community as the direct observers. The verb רֹאִים (ro'im) denotes continuous, active seeing, confirming the fire and glory were publicly witnessed rather than privately revealed.
The thread — This public acknowledgment of Yahweh's enduring loving devotion aligns with the temple dedication liturgy in 2 Chronicles 5:13 and the corporate worship response in 2 Chronicles 20:21. The declaration of divine goodness also parallels the generational mercy theme in Luke 1:50.
Why it lands — The text records that visible divine manifestation demands physical prostration and explicit verbal affirmation of God's character. Readers are required to respond to revealed glory with immediate, unadorned acknowledgment of His goodness rather than abstract speculation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 5:13 The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud
- 2 Chronicles 20:21 Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”
- Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
- Hebrews 7:24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
- Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.
- Isaiah 63:7 I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us—the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion.
- Exodus 4:31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.
- Psalms 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.
- Leviticus 9:24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
- Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel.