What Does 2 Samuel 7:22 Mean in the King James?

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 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The ears in this verse are where received testimony becomes recognition: the LORD’s greatness leaves no rival beside him.

THE MEANING

You encounter the LORD’s greatness as incomparable: no other god stands beside him. The claim comes to you through testimony heard, and it remains a living recognition now.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The LORD is simply the strongest member of a crowded field of gods.

THE ROOT

שָׁמַעְנוּ

shama'nu

GROWS FROM

שׁמע

sh-m-ʿ

To hear or listen; in responsive contexts, to heed.

The word means “we have heard,” grounding the confession in testimony received by ear. The same root can describe hearing that answers, so hearing here opens toward recognition rather than mere sound.

ALSO GROWS

shama: To hear or listen.

שָׁמַע

This is the verb’s basic sense, present in “we have heard.”

shema: Hear; attend and respond when used as a command.

שְׁמַע

In Deuteronomy 6:4, the same root begins Israel’s confession with “Hear,” connecting received testimony to responsive hearing.

shemu'ah: A report or tidings; something heard.

שְׁמוּעָה

A report carries what has been heard, illuminating how testimony can give voice to recognition of the LORD’s uniqueness.

גָּדוֹל

gadol

GROWS FROM

גדל

g-d-l

To grow or become great.

The root behind “great” also carries the sense of growing or becoming great. Here that greatness is not measured against rivals: the verse names the LORD as without equal or any god beside him.

ALSO GROWS

gadal: To grow or become great.

גָּדַל

The verbal form shows the growth sense within the root behind “great.”

gedullah: Greatness or majesty.

גְּדֻלָּה

This related noun carries the root’s sense of greatness, echoing the verse’s recognition of the LORD’s unmatched greatness.

THE PATTERN

The LORD’s greatness is expressed as incomparable uniqueness, with no other god beside him.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Psalm 86:8 · KJVThe psalm names the same unmatched standing: none among the gods is like the LORD.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isaiah 46:9 · KJVThe LORD declares that his uniqueness cannot be matched by another.

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:4 · KJVThe confession that there is no other God but one expresses the same divine uniqueness.

THE THREAD

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:4 · KJV

“Heard” here and “Hear” in Deuteronomy 6:4 share the Hebrew root ⁨שׁמע⁩ (sh-m-ʿ), hearing and listening. Testimony received about the LORD’s unmatched nature meets hearing that responds.

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