What Does 2 Chronicles 2:4 Mean in the King James?
Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The house is built for the LORD’s nature, and its dedication takes shape in a rhythm of incense, arranged provision, and offerings continually set before him.
THE MEANING
This verse presents a dwelling dedicated to the LORD’s nature through practices that continue: incense, provision kept in order, and offerings morning and evening. Sabbaths, new moons, and feasts gather that daily rhythm into appointed times. Dedication here is an ongoing pattern of what is set before God.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the idea that dedication is a one-time moment completed when construction ends; here dedication continues through recurring offerings and appointed days.
THE ROOT
לְהַקְדִּישׁ
lehakdish
GROWS FROM
קדש
qadash
Set apart, mark as distinct for sacred use.
The word translated “dedicate” carries the sense of setting apart. The house’s distinction is expressed in the repeated practices devoted to the LORD’s nature.
ALSO GROWS
qadosh: Set apart; distinct for sacred use.
קָדוֹשׁ
The house is dedicated by being set apart for the LORD.
qodesh: That which is set apart; sacredness or a sacred thing.
קֹדֶשׁ
This branch names the sacred character the dedication gives the house.
hiqdish: Set apart or consecrate.
הִקְדִּישׁ
This verb shares the action expressed by “dedicate” in the verse.
מַעֲרֶכֶת
ma’arekhet
GROWS FROM
ערך
ʿarak
Arrange, set in order.
The Hebrew word rendered “shewbread” is an arrangement or array. The continual provision is pictured as something ordered and set before God.
ALSO GROWS
ʿarak: Arrange or set in order.
עָרַךְ
This verb reveals the action contained in the noun for the bread arrangement.
maʿarakhah: An array, formation, or ordered line.
מַעֲרָכָה
This related form echoes the ordered presentation of provision in the verse.
ma’arekhet: An arrangement or array.
מַעֲרֶכֶת
This is the word used for the continual arrangement rendered “shewbread.”
עֹלוֹת
ʿolot
GROWS FROM
עלה
ʿalah
Go up, rise, ascend.
The word for burnt offerings grows from the root meaning “go up”; its name carries the motion of ascent. Beside the incense, the verse’s offerings are presented as what rises before God.
ALSO GROWS
ʿalah: Go up or ascend.
עָלָה
This verb is the root action carried within the name for the offering.
ʿolah: A burnt offering; literally, that which goes up.
עֹלָה
This singular form makes the offering’s upward motion audible in its name.
THE PATTERN
A dwelling devoted to God takes shape through repeated offerings and provision, woven into daily and appointed rhythms.
Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.THE THREAD
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Both verses use the same Hebrew word, קְטֹרֶת (qetoret), meaning incense. The psalm makes visible the image beneath the temple rite: prayer itself is pictured as something set before God like incense.
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