2 Chronicles 7:21
New International Version
This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’

New Living Translation
And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the LORD do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’

English Standard Version
And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’

Berean Standard Bible
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’

King James Bible
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?

New King James Version
“And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?’

New American Standard Bible
As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done these things to this land and to this house?’

NASB 1995
“As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’

NASB 1977
“As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’

Legacy Standard Bible
As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will feel desolate and say, ‘Why has Yahweh done thus to this land and to this house?’

Amplified Bible
And as for this house, which was so exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’

Christian Standard Bible
As for this temple, which was exalted, everyone who passes by will be appalled and will say, “Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As for this temple, which was exalted, everyone who passes by will be appalled and will say: Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?

American Standard Version
And this house, which is so high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why hath Jehovah done thus unto this land, and to this house?

Contemporary English Version
This temple is now magnificent. But when these things happen, everyone who walks by it will be shocked and will ask, "Why did the LORD do such a terrible thing to his people and to this temple?"

English Revised Version
And this house, which is so high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Everyone passing by this impressive temple will be appalled. They will ask, 'Why did the LORD do these things to this land and this temple?'

Good News Translation
"The Temple is now greatly honored, but then everyone who passes by it will be amazed and will ask, 'Why did the LORD do this to this land and this Temple?'

International Standard Version
"Furthermore, even though this Temple seems so exalted, everyone who passes by it will be so astounded that they will ask, 'Why did the LORD do this to this land and to this Temple?'

Majority Standard Bible
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ?Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple??

NET Bible
As for this temple, which was once majestic, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and say, 'Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?'

New Heart English Bible
This house, which is so exalted, will become a heap of ruins. Everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land, and to this house?'

Webster's Bible Translation
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus to this land, and to this house?

World English Bible
This house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this house that has been high is an astonishment to everyone passing by it, and he has said, Why has YHWH done thus to this land and to this house?

Young's Literal Translation
'And this house that hath been high, to every one passing by it, is an astonishment, and he hath said, Wherefore hath Jehovah done thus to this land, and to this house?

Smith's Literal Translation
And this house which was high shall astonish to every one passing by it; and saying, For what did Jehovah thus to this land and to this house?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And this house shall be for a proverb to all that pass by, and they shall be astonished and say: Why hath the Lord done thus to this land, and to this house?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And this house will be like a proverb to all who pass by. And being astonished, they shall say: ‘Why has the Lord acted this way toward this land and toward this house?’

New American Bible
And this house which is so exalted—every passerby shall be horrified and ask: “Why has the LORD done such things to this land and to this house?”

New Revised Standard Version
And regarding this house, now exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished, and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this house?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And this house shall be in ruins, and every one passing by shall stand and shake his head in amazement, and say, Why has the LORD done thus to this great city and to this house?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this house shall be desolate and everyone whoever will pass by it will stand and will shake his head and will shake his hand, and they will say: “Why did LORD JEHOVAH do so to this great city and to this house?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this house, which is so high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall say: Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And as for this lofty house, every one that passes by it shall be amazed, and shall say, Wherefore has the Lord done thus to this land, and to this house?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD's Response to Solomon
20then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. 21And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, He has brought all this disaster upon them.’ ”…

Cross References
1 Kings 9:8-9
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ / And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.’”

Jeremiah 22:8-9
And many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?’ / Then people will reply, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”

Deuteronomy 29:24-28
So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ / And the people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. / They went and served other gods, and they worshiped gods they had not known—gods that the LORD had not given to them. ...

Jeremiah 18:16
They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.

Jeremiah 19:8
I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds.

Ezekiel 5:14-15
I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by. / So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Isaiah 64:10-11
Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation. / Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins.

Lamentations 2:15-16
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” / All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”

Micah 3:12
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

Matthew 23:38
Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 21:6
“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:2
“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”


Treasury of Scripture

And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passes by it; so that he shall say, Why has the LORD done thus to this land, and to this house?

this house

1 Kings 9:8
And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

astonishment

2 Chronicles 29:8
Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

Jeremiah 19:8
And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

Jeremiah 49:17
Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.

Why

Deuteronomy 29:24-28
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? …

1 Kings 9:8,9
And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? …

Jeremiah 5:19
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.

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Astonished Astonishment Broken Exalted Goes High House Imposing Mass Overcome Passes Passeth Passing Temple Wherefore Wonder
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Astonished Astonishment Broken Exalted Goes High House Imposing Mass Overcome Passes Passeth Passing Temple Wherefore Wonder
2 Chronicles 7
1. God having given testimony to Solomon's prayer by fire from heaven,
2. and glory in the temple, the people worship him
4. Solomon's solemn sacrifice
8. Solomon having kept the feasts of tabernacles and dedication, dismisses the people
12. God appearing to Solomon, gives him promises upon condition














And this temple
The Hebrew word for "temple" is "הַבַּיִת" (ha-bayit), which literally means "the house." In the context of ancient Israel, the temple was not just a physical structure but the dwelling place of God among His people. It was the center of worship and a symbol of God's covenant with Israel. The temple's significance is deeply rooted in the history of Israel, representing God's presence, holiness, and the nation's identity as His chosen people.

will now become a heap of rubble
The phrase "heap of rubble" translates from the Hebrew "לְעִי" (le'i), indicating complete destruction and desolation. This imagery is powerful, evoking the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. Historically, the destruction of the temple would have been a devastating event for the Israelites, symbolizing the loss of divine favor and protection. It serves as a stark warning of the seriousness of turning away from God's commandments.

All who pass by it
This phrase suggests the visibility and public nature of the temple's destruction. The Hebrew word "כָּל" (kol) means "all" or "everyone," emphasizing that the consequences of Israel's actions would be evident to all nations. This public display of judgment serves as a testimony to God's righteousness and justice, reminding the world of His sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness.

will be appalled and will scoff
The reaction of being "appalled" and "scoffing" reflects the shock and derision of onlookers. The Hebrew words "וְשָׁמְמוּ" (ve-shamemu) and "וְשָׁרְקוּ" (ve-sharku) convey a sense of horror and ridicule. This response highlights the shame and dishonor brought upon Israel due to their disobedience. It serves as a cautionary tale of how turning away from God can lead to public disgrace and the loss of respect among nations.

and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing
The question "Why has the LORD done such a thing" reflects a search for understanding and meaning behind the destruction. The use of "LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. This inquiry points to the need for introspection and recognition of sin as the root cause of divine judgment. It underscores the importance of obedience and the consequences of straying from God's path.

to this land and to this temple?’
The mention of "this land" and "this temple" ties the fate of the physical land and the spiritual center together. The land of Israel was a gift from God, a fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. The temple, as the heart of worship, was integral to the nation's spiritual life. Their destruction signifies a breach in the covenant relationship, a call to repentance, and a reminder of the need for restoration and renewal in the faith community. This serves as an enduring lesson on the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with God to ensure His blessings and presence.

(21) And this house, which is high.--A correction of Kings: "and this house shall be high," which appears meaningless in the context. But the Syriac (and Arabic) here and in Kings has, "And this house shall be laid waste" (nehwe hreb); and the Targum of Kings combines both readings thus: "And this house which is high shall be laid waste" (y'he harib). It appears, therefore, that the original reading of the Heb. text was, "And this house shall become ruinous heaps" ('iyin, "heaps," not 'elyon, "high"). (Comp. Micah 3:12. The mistake is as old as the LXX., ? ????? ????? ? ??????.)

Shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it.--Every one that passeth by it shall be astonished: ??? ? ?????????????? ????? ??????????, LXX. Syriac, "Every one that passeth by it shall stop and shake his head, and sway with his hand, and say ". . . Kings adds, "and shall hiss" (certainly original).

Verse 21. - The Hebrew text of the first sentence of this verse differs here from that in the parallel; but, in fact, neither text reads satisfactorily and smoothly. The parallel (1 Kings 9:8) inserts the little word "at," though without italics, and "which" in italic type. The "at" is no doubt intended to be condoned as supposed to belong to the word astonished; the following verb hiss also permitting, though not requiring, the appendage. Not leaning to the text of the parallel (which shows no אֲשֶׁר, and which shows the substantive verb in the future tense יִהְיֶה), we need not find any particular difficulty in rendering our present text, And this house, which is most high (the word well favours this idea), shall be an astonishment to every passer by. The Septuagint reads simply, "This lofty house." Why hath the Lord done this? (see Deuteronomy 29:24; Jeremiah 22:8, 9). To the "astonishment" prophesied here the parallel adds, "shall hiss" - in a forcible expression found first in 2 Chronicles 29:8, and afterwards in Micah (Micah 6:16)and in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:16; Jeremiah 19:8; Jeremiah 25:9, etc.; Lamentations 2:15, 16).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And this
הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

temple
וְהַבַּ֤יִת (wə·hab·ba·yiṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

will now
הָיָ֣ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

become a heap of rubble.
עֶלְי֔וֹן (‘el·yō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme

All
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who pass
עֹבֵ֥ר (‘ō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

it by
עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

will be appalled
יִשֹּׁ֑ם (yiš·šōm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy

and say,
וְאָמַ֗ר (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Why
בַּמֶּ֨ה (bam·meh)
Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

has the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

done
עָשָׂ֤ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such a thing
כָּ֔כָה (kā·ḵāh)
Adverb
Strong's 3602: Just so

to this
הַזֹּ֖את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

land
לָאָ֥רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and to this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

temple?’
וְלַבַּ֥יִת (wə·lab·ba·yiṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 7:21 This house which is so high everyone (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 7:20
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