The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
Parallel translations
- WEB so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for Yahweh’s glory filled God’s house.
- KJV So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
- BSB so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
- NKJV so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
- NASB so that the priests could not rise to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The priests could not stand to minister because the cloud of God's glory filled the house. God's overwhelming presence took possession of the temple.
Overview
The glory-cloud, the same that had filled the tabernacle in Moses' day, now filled Solomon's temple, signifying God's acceptance and indwelling. So overpowering was his presence that the priests could not continue their service. This visible glory pointed to the greater reality that God would one day dwell with his people not in a building but through Christ and his indwelling Spirit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Exod 40:35Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.
- 1 Kgs 8:11so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for Yahweh’s glory filled Yahweh’s house.
- Isa 6:1–4In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.
- 2 Chr 7:2The priests could not enter into Yahweh’s house, because Yahweh’s glory filled Yahweh’s house.
- Rev 15:8The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.
- Ezek 10:4Yahweh’s glory mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh’s glory.
- 1 Tim 6:16who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 5:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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