so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud.This phrase highlights the overwhelming presence of God, symbolized by the cloud, which is a recurring biblical motif representing divine presence and guidance. The cloud here is reminiscent of the cloud that led the Israelites through the wilderness (
Exodus 13:21-22) and the cloud that descended upon Mount Sinai (
Exodus 19:16-18). The inability of the priests to stand and minister signifies the overpowering holiness and majesty of God, which human efforts and rituals cannot withstand. This moment underscores the idea that God's presence is not dependent on human actions but is a sovereign act of His will. The cloud also serves as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence among His people (
John 1:14).
For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
The glory of the LORD, often referred to as the Shekinah glory, is a visible manifestation of God's presence. This event marks the dedication of Solomon's Temple, a significant moment in Israel's history, as it becomes the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's name (1 Kings 8:10-11). The filling of the temple with God's glory signifies His approval and acceptance of the temple as His earthly dwelling. This parallels the filling of the tabernacle with God's glory inExodus 40:34-35, showing continuity in God's relationship with His people. Theologically, this foreshadows the New Testament understanding of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), where God's presence dwells within His people. The ultimate fulfillment of God's glory filling His house is seen inRevelation 21:22-23, where the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple, and His glory illuminates the New Jerusalem.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PriestsThe Levitical priests were responsible for ministering in the temple, performing sacrifices, and maintaining the sacred rituals. In this verse, they are unable to perform their duties due to the overwhelming presence of God's glory.
2.
The CloudThis represents the Shekinah glory of God, a visible manifestation of His presence. The cloud filled the temple, signifying God's approval and presence among His people.
3.
The Glory of the LORDThis refers to the divine presence and majesty of God. In Hebrew, "glory" is "kavod," which implies weightiness and honor. The glory filled the temple, indicating God's dwelling among His people.
4.
The House of GodThis is Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites. It was a physical representation of God's covenant with Israel.
5.
SolomonThe king of Israel who built the temple. His dedication of the temple was a significant event in Israel's history, marking a new era of worship.
Teaching Points
The Presence of GodGod's presence is transformative and overwhelming. When He fills a place, human efforts and activities are secondary to His majesty and glory.
Reverence in WorshipThe inability of the priests to minister due to God's glory reminds us of the need for reverence and awe in worship. We should approach God with humility and respect.
God's FaithfulnessThe filling of the temple with God's glory is a testament to His faithfulness in dwelling among His people, fulfilling His promises.
The Role of the TempleThe temple was a physical symbol of God's covenant and presence. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to reflect His glory in their lives.
Dependence on GodJust as the priests could not minister without God's presence, we are reminded of our dependence on God for strength and guidance in our spiritual walk.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 5:14?
2.How does God's glory filling the temple inspire your worship practices today?
3.What can we learn about God's presence from 2 Chronicles 5:14?
4.How does 2 Chronicles 5:14 connect to the Holy Spirit's role in believers?
5.How can you prepare your heart to experience God's presence like the priests?
6.What steps can you take to invite God's glory into your daily life?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 5:14 demonstrate the presence of God in the temple?
8.What is the significance of the priests being unable to stand in 2 Chronicles 5:14?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 5:14 relate to the concept of God's glory in the Old Testament?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 5?
11.What is the significance of Solomon's Temple dedication?
12.What does the Bible say about "Slaying in the Spirit"?
13.2 Chronicles 5:13-14 - How can the 'cloud' filling the House of God be explained naturally or confirmed historically, rather than attributed to a purely supernatural event?
14.What does the Bible say about church musical instruments?What Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 Mean
So that the priests could not stand there to minister2 Chronicles 5:14 describes a moment when the priests, prepared and purified for worship, suddenly found themselves unable to continue.
• Scripture records similar moments when human effort halts in the presence of God—Exodus 40:35 says, “Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it.”
• The inability to stand highlights God’s holiness and power; even consecrated servants are overwhelmed (cf.Ezekiel 44:4).
• It reminds us that true worship is never a performance. When God manifests His presence, He takes center stage, and every other activity—even ordained ministry—yields to Him (Habakkuk 2:20).
Because of the cloudThe “cloud” is the visible sign of God’s immediate presence, often called the Shekinah glory.
• In the wilderness, the same cloud guided and protected Israel (Exodus 13:21).
• On Sinai, it covered the mountain, displaying majesty and authority (Exodus 19:16-18).
• At the Transfiguration, “a bright cloud enveloped them” (Matthew 17:5), again signaling God’s nearness.
• Here, the cloud assures Israel that the newly built temple is accepted as God’s earthly dwelling, fulfilling the promise of2 Samuel 7:13.
For the glory of the LORD filled the house of GodThe phrase explains why the priests were immobilized: God’s glory had saturated every corner of the temple.
• Glory (kabod) carries the idea of weight or heaviness; when God’s glory fills a place, it is tangibly overwhelming (Isaiah 6:1-4).
• The temple’s furnishings, rituals, and offerings mattered, yet none were sufficient without God’s presence (Psalm 127:1).
• Solomon’s prayer just prior (2 Chronicles 6:1-11) acknowledges that even “the highest heaven cannot contain” the Lord, yet He graciously chooses to dwell among His people (cf.John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory”).
•Revelation 21:22-23 points to the ultimate fulfillment: no temple is needed when the Lord Himself is the temple and the light.
summary2 Chronicles 5:14 shows that when God visibly manifests His glory, human activity ceases, divine presence is confirmed by the cloud, and the temple becomes a living testimony that the Almighty dwells with His people. It calls believers to approach worship with awe, expectancy, and humble recognition that God’s glory—not our service—makes the gathering sacred.
(14)
House of God.--Kings, "house of the Lord." See
1Kings 8:11, and
2Chronicles 7:2,
infra.Stand to minister.--Take their places, orapproach to minister (2Chronicles 6:12). The Syriac adds here, "Ended is the first half of the Chronicles." Before 2 Chronicles 6 it writes, "The second half of the Book of Chronicles."
Verse 14. -
The priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud (so
Exodus 40:34, 35).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
so that the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים(hak·kō·hă·nîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548:Priestcouldוְלֹא־(wə·lō-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nonotיָֽכְל֧וּ(yā·ḵə·lū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201:To be able, have powerstand thereלַעֲמ֥וֹד(la·‘ă·mō·wḏ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsto ministerלְשָׁרֵ֖ת(lə·šā·rêṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8334:To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute tobecauseמִפְּנֵ֣י(mip·pə·nê)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the cloud;הֶעָנָ֑ן(he·‘ā·nān)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6051:A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloudforכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe gloryכְבוֹד־(ḵə·ḇō·wḏ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3519:Weight, splendor, copiousnessof the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelfilledמָלֵ֥א(mā·lê)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390:To fill, be full ofthe houseבֵּ֥ית(bêṯ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof God.הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
Links
2 Chronicles 5:14 NIV2 Chronicles 5:14 NLT2 Chronicles 5:14 ESV2 Chronicles 5:14 NASB2 Chronicles 5:14 KJV
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 5:14 So that the priests could not stand (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
