But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
But who is able to build a house for him, since even the highest heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except only as a place to offer sacrifices to him?
Solomon is humbly acknowledging that no building can actually contain God, but he's building the temple as a place to worship and offer sacrifices to Him.
📚 Historical Context
This is Solomon speaking as he prepares to build the temple in Jerusalem, around 970 BC. He's writing to King Hiram of Tyre, asking for materials and craftsmen to help with the construction. Solomon recognizes the impossibility of containing the infinite God in any physical structure, yet understands God has commanded this temple to be built as a center for worship and sacrifice.
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