2 Chronicles 7:21 - Exposition

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 , Jeremiah 22:9 ). 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 , Lamentations 2:16 ).