Fire from Heaven
2 Chronicles 7
Fire comes down from heaven to consume the sacrifices and the glory of the Lord fills the temple, so that the people worship and Solomon dedicates the house with a great feast of many sacrifices. Afterward the Lord appears to Solomon by night, promising to hear Israel's prayers but warning that the house will be forsaken if the people turn to other gods.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND soon as Solomon finished his prayer the fire from heaven descended and consumed the whole burnt offerings with their sacrifices. Now the glory of the Lord filled the house
BrentonAnd when Solomon had finished praying, then the fire came down from heaven, and devoured the whole-burnt-offerings and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
GreekΚαὶ ὡς συνετέλεσε Σαλωμὼν προσευχόμενος, καὶ τὸ πῦρ κατέβη ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ κατέφαγε τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ τὰς θυσίας, καὶ δόξα Κυρίου ἔπλησε τὸν οἶκον.
KJVNow when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
JPSNow when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2
Thomsonso that the priests could not enter the house of the Lord at that time, because the glory of the Lord filled the house.
BrentonAnd the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord at that time, for the glory of the Lord filled the house.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο οἱ ἱερεῖς εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ὅτι ἔπλησε δόξα Κυρίου τὸν οἶκον.
KJVAnd the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
JPSAnd the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’S house.
3
ThomsonAnd when all the Israelites saw the fire descending and the glory of the Lord on the house, they fell with their face to the ground on the pavement. And when they had worshipped, they sung to the Lord the hymn of praise, For it is good: for his mercy endureth forever,
BrentonAnd all the children of Israel saw the fire descending, and the glory of the Lord was upon the house: and they fell upon their face to the ground on the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord; for it is good to do so, because his mercy endures for ever.
GreekΚαὶ πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραὴλ ἑώρων καταβαῖνον τὸ πῦρ, καὶ ἡ δόξα Κυρίου ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον· καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὸ λιθόστρωτον, καὶ προσεκύνησαν καὶ ᾔνουν τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι ἀγαθὸν, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
JPSAnd all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and prostrated themselves, and gave thanks unto the LORD; ‘for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.’
4
Thomsonwhile the king and all the people were offering incense before the Lord.
BrentonAnd the king and all the people were offering sacrifices before the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς θύοντες θύματα ἔναντι Κυρίου.
KJVThen the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
JPSAnd the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD.
5
ThomsonThen king Solomon offered as a thanks offering twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep.
BrentonAnd king Solomon offered a sacrifice of calves twenty and two thousand, of sheep a hundred and twenty thousand: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
GreekΚαὶ ἐθυσίασεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαλωμὼν τὴν θυσίαν μόσχων εἴκοσι καὶ δύο χιλιάδας, βοσκημάτων ἑκατὸν καὶ εἴκοσι χιλιάδας, καὶ ἐνεκαίνισε τὸν οἶκον τοὔ Θεοῦ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαός.
KJVAnd king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
JPSAnd king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6
ThomsonNow when the king and all the people dedicated the house, while the priests were standing in their watches; and the Levites, with the musical instruments of the Lord, made by king David to praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth forever, were performing with them in the hymns of David; and the priests were sounding the trumpets before them; and all the people were standing;
BrentonAnd the priests were standing at their watches, and the Levites with instruments of music of the Lord, belonging to king David, to give thanks before the Lord, for his mercy endures for ever, with the hymns of David, by their ministry: and the priests were blowing the trumpets before them, and all Israel standing.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐπὶ τὰς φυλακὰς αὐτῶν ἑστηκότως, καὶ οἱ Λευῖται ἐν ὀργάνοις ᾠδῶν Κυρίου τοῦ Δαυὶδ τοῦ βασιλέως, τοῦ ἐξομολογεῖσθαι ἔναντι Κυρίου, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ, ἐν ὕμνοις Δαυὶδ διὰ χειρὸς αὐτῶν· καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς σαλπίζοντες ταῖς σάλπιγξιν ἐναντίον αὐτῶν, καὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἑστηκώς.
KJVAnd the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
JPSAnd the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made, to give thanks unto the LORD, for His mercy endureth for ever, with the praises of David by their hand; and the priests sounded trumpets over against them; and all Israel stood.
7
ThomsonSolomon consecrated the middle of the court which belonged to the house of the Lord, that he might offer there the whole burnt offerings with the suet of the thanks offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not capable of receiving the whole burnt offerings with the sacrifices of the suet.
BrentonAnd Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was in the house of the Lord: for he offered there the whole-burnt-offerings and the fat of the peace-offerings, for the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not sufficient to receive the whole-burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat.
GreekΚαὶ ἡγίασε Σαλωμὼν τὸ μέσον τῆς αὐλῆς τῆς ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, ὅτι ἐποίησεν ἐκεῖ τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ τὰ στέατα τῶν σωτηρίων, ὅτι τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ χαλκοῦν ὃ ἐποίησε Σαλωμὼν, οὐκ ἐξεποίει δέξασθαι τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ τὰ μαναὰ καὶ τὰ στέατα.
KJVMoreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
JPSMoreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat.
8
ThomsonSo Solomon kept the festival at that time seven days, he and all Israel with him, an exceeding great congregation from the bay of Aimath to the torrent of Egypt.
BrentonAnd Solomon kept the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entering in of Æmath, and as far as the river of Egypt.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Σαλωμὼν τὴν ἑορτὴν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας, καὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, ἐκκλησία μεγάλη σφόδρα ἀπὸ εἰσόδου Αἰμὰθ καὶ ἕως χειμάῤῥου Αἰγύπτου.
KJVAlso at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
JPSSo Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt.
9
ThomsonAnd on the eighth day he made a finishing feast, for he had celebrated the dedication of the altar with a festival of seven days.
BrentonAnd on the eighth day he kept a solemn assembly: for he kept a feast of seven days as the dedication of the altar.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ ἐξόδιον, ὅτι ἐγκαινισμὸν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἐποίησεν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας ἑορτήν.
KJVAnd in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
JPSAnd on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
10
ThomsonAnd on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent away the people to their abodes, glad, and with cheerful hearts for all the goodness which the Lord had shewn to David, and to Solomon, and to his people Israel.
BrentonAnd on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he dismissed the people to their tents, rejoicing, and with a glad heart because of the good deeds which the Lord had done to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῇ τρίτῃ καὶ εἰκοστῇ τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ ἑβδόμου ἀπέστειλε τὸν λαὸν εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτῶν εὐφραινομένους, καὶ ἀγαθῇ καρδίᾳ ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς οἷς ἐποίησε Κύριος τῷ Δαυὶδ, καὶ τῷ Σαλωμῶντι, καὶ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ λαῷ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
JPSAnd on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away unto their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.
11
ThomsonSolomon having thus finished the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and having been prospered in doing all that came into his heart for the house of the Lord, and his own house,
BrentonSo Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house: and in whatever Solomon wished in his heart to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house, he prospered.
GreekΚαὶ συνετέλεσε Σαλωμὼν τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου, καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως· καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἠθέλησεν ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ Σαλωμὼν τοῦ ποιῆσαι ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, εὐωδώθη.
KJVThus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
JPSThus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
12
Thomsonthe Lord appeared that night to Solomon and said to him, I have heard thy prayer and made choice of this place for Myself to be a house of sacrifice.
BrentonAnd the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard thy prayer, and I have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.
GreekΚαὶ ὤφθη Κύριος τῷ Σαλωμὼν τὴν νύκτα, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἤκουσα τῆν προσευχῆς σου, καὶ ἐξελεξάμην ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ ἐμαυτῷ εἰς οἶκον θυσίας.
KJVAnd the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
JPSAnd the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him: ‘I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice.
13
ThomsonIf I shut up heaven and there be no rain; or if I command the locust to devour the trees; or send a pestilence among My people;
BrentonIf I should restrain the heaven and there should be no rain, and if I should command the locust to devour the trees, and if I should send pestilence upon my people;
GreekἘὰν συσχῶ τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ μὴ γένηται ὑετὸς, καὶ ἐὰν ἐντείλωμαι τῇ ἀκρίδι καταφαγεῖν τὸ ξύλον, καὶ ἐὰν ἀποστείλω θάνατον ἐν τῷ λαῷ μου,
KJVIf I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
JPSIf I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people;
14
Thomsonwhen My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray to Me and seek My favour, and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins, and heal their land.
Brentonthen if my people, on whom my name is called, should repent, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, I also will hear from heaven, and I will be merciful to their sins, and I will heal their land.
Greekκαὶ ἐὰν ἐντραπῇ ὁ λαός μου ἐφʼ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ προσεύξωνται καὶ ζητήσωσι τὸ πρόσωπόν μου, καὶ ἀποστρέψωσιν ἀπὸ τῶν ὁδῶν αὐτῶν τῶν πονηρῶν, καὶ ἐγὼ εἰσακούσομαι ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν, καὶ ἰάσομαι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν.
KJVIf my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
JPSif My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15
ThomsonAnd now Mine eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer made in this place.
BrentonAnd now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer of this place.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ἔσονται ἀνεῳγμένοι, καὶ τὰ ὦτά μου ἐπήκοα τῇ προσευχῇ τοῦ τόπου τούτου.
KJVNow mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
JPSNow Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place.
16
ThomsonFor I have chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there forever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there continually.
BrentonAnd now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name should be there for ever: and my eyes and my heart shall be there always.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐξελεξάμην καὶ ἡγίακα τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον, τοῦ εἶναι ὄνομά μου ἐκεῖ ἕως αἰῶνος, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου καὶ ἡ καρδία μου ἐκεῖ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.
KJVFor now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
JPSFor now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.
17
ThomsonAnd if thou wilt walk before Me as thy father David did, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and keep My statutes and My judgments,
BrentonAnd if thou wilt walk before me as David thy father did, and wilt do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my ordinances and my judgments;
GreekΚαὶ σὺ ἐὰν πορευθῇς ἐναντίον μου ὡς Δαυὶδ ὁ πατήρ σου, καὶ ποιήσῃς κατὰ πάντα ἃ ἐνετειλάμην σοι, καὶ τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ τὰ κρίματά μου φυλάξῃ,
KJVAnd as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
JPSAnd as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep My statutes and Mine ordinances;
18
ThomsonI will establish the throne of thy kingdom as I covenanted with thy father David, saying, The ruler over Israel shall not be taken from thee.
Brentonthen will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, as I covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man ruling in Israel.
Greekκαὶ ἀναστήσω τὸν θρόνον τῆς βασιλείας σου ὡς διεθέμην Δαυὶδ τῷ πατρί σου, λέγων, οὐκ ἐξαρθήσεταί σοι ἡγούμενος ἀνὴρ ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThen will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
JPSthen I will establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I covenanted with David thy father, saying: There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
19
ThomsonBut if you turn aside and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you; and go and serve strange gods and worship them,
BrentonBut if ye should turn away, and forsake my ordinances and my commandments, which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them;
GreekΚαὶ ἐὰν ἀποστρέψητε ὑμεῖς, καὶ ἐγκαταλείπητε τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς μου ἃς ἔδωκα ἐναντίον ὑμῶν, καὶ πορευθῆτε καὶ λατρεύσητε θεοῖς ἑτέροις καὶ προσκυνήσητε αὐτοῖς,
KJVBut if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
JPSBut if ye turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20
ThomsonI will assuredly remove you from this land which I have given them. And I will remove out of My sight this house which I have hallowed to My name, and make it a proverb and a byword among all the nations.
Brentonthen will I remove you from the land which I gave them; and this house which I have consecrated to my name I will remove out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a by-word among all nations.
Greekκαὶ ἐξαρῶ ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἧς ἔδωκα αὐτοῖς· καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον ὃν ἡγίασα τῷ ὀνόματί μου ἀποστρέψω ἐκ προσώπου μου, καὶ δώσω αὐτὸν εἰς παραβολὴν καὶ εἰς διήγημα ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσι.
KJVThen will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
JPSthen will I pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for My name, will I cast out of My sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
21
ThomsonYes, at this house which is so lofty, everyone who passeth by it shall be astonished, and say, Why hath the Lord dealt thus with this land and this house?
BrentonAnd 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?
GreekΚαὶ ὁ οἶκος οὗτος ὁ ὑψηλὸς πᾶς ὁ διαπορευόμενος αὐτὸν ἐκστήσεται, καὶ ἐρεῖ, Χάριν τίνος ἐποίησε Κύριος τῇ γῇ ταύτῃ καὶ τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ;
KJVAnd 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?
JPSAnd 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?
22
ThomsonTo which it will be answered, Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and took other gods in His stead, and worshipped them and served them, therefore He brought upon them all this calamity.
BrentonAnd men shall say, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they attached themselves to other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: and therefore he has brought upon them all this evil.
GreekΚαὶ ἐροῦσι, διότι ἐγκατέλιπον Κυρίον τὸν Θεὸν τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν, τὸν ἐξαγαγόντα αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἀντελάβοντο θεῶν ἑτέρων, καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐδούλευσαν αὐτοῖς, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἐπήγαγεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς πᾶσαν τὴν κακίαν ταύτην.
KJVAnd it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.
JPSAnd they shall answer: Because they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them; therefore hath He brought all this evil upon them.’