2 Chronicles 20:8 — Word Study
WLCוַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־ בָ֑הּ וַיִּבְנ֨וּ לְךָ֧׀ בָּ֛הּ מִקְדָּ֖שׁ לְשִׁמְךָ֥ לֵאמֹֽר׃
BSAThey have livedyâshab▸ [dwelt, remained] and have builtbânâh▸ [established, constructed] a sanctuarymiqdâsh [holy place, temple] for Your Nameshêm [Your identity, reputation] sayingʼâmar [speaking, declaring]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־ | and they have dwelt | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בָ֑הּ | in it | Preposition, suffix |
| וַיִּבְנ֨וּ | and they have built | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| לְךָ֧׀ | for you | Preposition, suffix |
| בָּ֛הּ | in it | Preposition, suffix |
| מִקְדָּ֖שׁ | a sanctuary | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְשִׁמְךָ֥ | for name your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לֵאמֹֽר׃ | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying, |
| KJV | And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, |
| ASV | And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, |
| YLT | and they dwell in it, and build to Thee in it a sanctuary for Thy name, saying, |
| WEB | They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, |
| BBE | And they made it their living-place, building there a holy house for your name, and saying, |
Where they part company is in the translation of מִקְדָּשׁ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases that provide additional information about the actions taken.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָשַׁב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Chronicles 20:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Prayer of Jehoshaphatgenerated
2 Chronicles 20:8 describes the people of Israel acknowledging their history of living in the land and building a sanctuary for God's name. This moment occurs during a time of crisis, where they seek God's help against their enemies, reminding Him of their dedication and the sacred space they have established for worship. The context highlights their reliance on God and the importance of the temple as a symbol of His presence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 2:4 | Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 6:10 | Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָשַׁב, vai.ye.she.Vu-generated
The verb יָשַׁב (yashab) means to dwell or sit, indicating a settled state. It encompasses the idea of remaining in a place, establishing a home, or causing a location to be inhabited. In this verse, it emphasizes the Israelites' commitment to living in the land God provided.
The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine plural indicates that this action is ongoing and collective, showing that the people have consistently dwelt in the land.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָשַׁב, have dwelt, governs the sentence, with another verb בָּנָה, have built, following it. The structure indicates that both actions are significant and connected, reflecting the people's commitment to God.
The sentence includes prepositional phrases that clarify where they have dwelt and what they have built, emphasizing the significance of the sanctuary for God's name.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָשַׁב as κατῴκησαν, which means 'they dwelt' and carries a similar sense of settling in a place. This choice maintains the original meaning while using Greek terminology.
The term מִקְדָּשׁ is rendered as ἁγίασμα, which also refers to a sacred space, indicating continuity in the concept of a holy place dedicated to God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Chronicles 20:8 tells us that the people of Israel have lived in the land and built a sanctuary for God's name. This reflects their commitment to God and the importance of having a dedicated place for worship, especially during times of need.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To dwell in the land means to live there permanently, establishing a home and community, as the Israelites did after entering the Promised Land.
The sanctuary is significant because it represents a place where God is worshiped and where His presence dwells among His people.
Building a sanctuary for God's name means creating a space dedicated to honoring Him, reflecting His identity and character.
This verse connects to the people's prayer as they remind God of their commitment and the sacred space they have established, seeking His help in their time of need.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I honor God in my own life, similar to how the Israelites built a sanctuary for His name?
- How does understanding the significance of a sanctuary change my perspective on worship?
- What commitments have I made to God that I can reflect on in times of trouble?
- How can I create a space in my life that is dedicated to seeking God's presence?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 20:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd they dwelt therein,.... From ages past, hitherto, since it was first given them, and they were put into the possession of it: and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name; a temple for
Read John Gill on 2 Chronicles 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryArt not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Chronicles 20:8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,Ver. 8. And have built thee a sanctuary therein.] This is to be God’ s faithful remembrancer, as Isaiah 62:6, marg.
Read John Trapp on 2 Chronicles 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) And have built thee a sanctuary therein.—And built thee therein a sanctuary for thy name. “A sanctuary for thy name” is a single expression. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 6:5-8, “that my name might be there.”) The name of Jehovah designates all that He is to Israel; His revealed character.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Therein for thy name] "For the name of thy WORD." - Targum.
Read AdamClarke on 2 Chronicles 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–13 (no parallel in Kings). The Prayer of Jehoshaphat This prayer should be compared with Solomon’s (2 Chronicles 6:14 ff.).
Read Cambridge on 2 Chronicles 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6-12. This prayer should be compared with that of Asa, (2 Chronicles 14:11,) and parts of Solomon’s at the dedication of the temple. 2 Chronicles 6:28-31.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Chronicles 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying,
They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying,
They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying,
They settled down in it and built in it a temple to honor you, saying,
Tyndale line
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
And they dwelt in it, and have built thee a sanctuary in it for thy name, saying,
And they dwelt therein, and haue built thee a Sanctuarie therein for thy Name, saying,
Strictly literal
And they have dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
and they dwell in it, and build to Thee in it a sanctuary for Thy name, saying,
and they dwell in it, and build a sanctuary in it for You, for Your Name, saying,
And they have dwelt therein, and have built for thee therein a sanctuary for thy name, saying,
They lived in it and built you a holy place in it for your name, saying,
From the Latin
And they dwelt in it, and built in it a sanctuary to thy name, saying:
Simplified
They are living in the land and have built a Temple for you here to honor you, saying,
And they made it their living-place, building there a holy house for your name, and saying,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־ בָ֑הּ וַיִּבְנ֨וּ לְךָ֧׀ בָּ֛הּ מִקְדָּ֖שׁ לְשִׁמְךָ֥ לֵאמֹֽר׃" which translates to, "They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying." The Septuagint closely matches the Masoretic Text, with 7 out of 8 words corresponding directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, thus affirming the agreement with the Masoretic Text.
וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־ בָ֑הּ וַיִּבְנ֨וּ לְךָ֧׀ בָּ֛הּ מִקְדָּ֖שׁ לְשִׁמְךָ֥ לֵאמֹֽר׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Chronicles 20:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles. The entries indicate that it can also imply being built up, particularly in the context of a childless wife becoming a mother.
בָּנָה 373 vb. build
Qal build
Niph.
be built
be rebuilt
(fig.) of restored exiles, = established
established, made permanent
base
H1129 בָּנָה build .build
.. . be built
. be rebuilt
. . (fig.) of restored exiles, = established
. established, made permanent
1129 banah baw-naw'
a primitive root; to build (literally and
figuratively):--(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make,
repair, set (up), X surely.
בָּנָה (ba.nah) — to build.
1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to build, rebuild
1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be built
1b2) to be rebuilt
1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.)
1b4) established (made permanent)
1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)
Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp2ms
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3fs
מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash) refers to a sacred place or sanctuary, often associated with the temple or tabernacle of Jehovah. It can denote a consecrated space, including those dedicated to idols, and is derived from a root meaning to consecrate. The term encompasses various types of holy places, such as chapels and asylums.
מִקְדָּשׁ 74 n.m. sacred place, sanctuary
base
H4720 מִקְדָּשׁ sacred place, sanctuary
4720 miqdash mik-dawsh'
or miqqdash (Exod. 15:17) {mik-ked-awsh'}; from 6942; a
consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary
(whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum:--chapel, hallowed
part, holy place, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
מִקְדָּשׁ (miq.dash) — sanctuary.
1) sacred place, sanctuary, holy place
1a) sanctuary
1a1) of the temple
1a2) of the tabernacle
1a3) of Ezekiel's temple
1a4) of Jehovah
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sank'-tu-a-ri, sank'-tu-a-ri (miqdash, miqqedhash, qodhesh, "holy place"; hagion):
1. Nature of Article
2. The Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis
The Three Stages
3. Difficulties of the Theory
(1) Slaughter Not Necessarily Sacrificial
(2) Sacrifice and Theophany
(3) Alleged Plurality of Sanctuaries
(4) The Altar of God's House
(5) Local Altars in Deuteronomy
4. The Alternative View
(1) Lay Sacrifice
(2) Three Pilgrimage Festivals
5. The Elephantine Papyri
The Elephantine Temple
LITERATURE
1. Nature of Article:
The present article is designed to supplement the articles on ALTAR; HIGH PLACE; PENTATEUCH; TABERNACLE; TEMPLE, by giving an outline of certain rival views of the course of law and history as regards the place of worship. The subject has a special importance because it was made the turning-point of Wellhausen's discussion of the development of Israel's literature, history and religion. He himself writes…
Sanctuary
Denotes, (1) the Holy Land (Ex. 15:17; comp. Ps. 114:2); (2) the temple (1 Chr. 22:19; 2 Chr. 29:21); (3) the tabernacle (Ex. 25:8; Lev. 12:4; 21:12); (4) the holy place, the place of the Presence (Gr. hieron, the temple-house; not the naos, which is the temple area, with its courts and porches), Lev. 4:6; Eph. 2:21, R.V., marg.; (5) God’s holy habitation in heaven (Ps. 102:19). In the final…
A holy place devoted to God. It appears to be the name sometimes of the entire temple, Ps 73.17; Heb 9.1; sometimes of the "Holy place," where the altar on incense, the golden candlestick, and the showbread stood, 2Ch 26:18 Heb 9:2; and sometimes of the "Holy of Holies," the most secret and retired part of the temple, in which was the ark of the covenant, and where none but the high priest might enter, and he only once a year on the day of solemn expiation. The same name was also given to the most sacred part of the tabernacle set up in the wilderness, Le 4:6. See TABERNACLE, and TEMPLE.
The temple or earthly sanctuary is an emblem of heaven, Ps 102:19
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
