Meaning, commentary and cross references
2 Samuel 7:22
“Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
NIV · New International Version
“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
WEB · World English Bible
Therefore you are great, LORD God. For there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
What does 2 Samuel 7:22 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 2 Samuel 7:22
Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God,.... In his name, nature, persons, and perfections, purposes, promises, and works: for there is none like thee; for his essence and attributes, for his greatness and goodness, for what he is in himself, for what he is to his people, and has done for them: neither is there any God beside thee; there is but one God, the living and true God, the former and maker of all things; all others are but fictitious and factitious gods, see 1 Samuel 2:2; according to all that we have heard with our ears; concerning what he did in the land of Egypt upon the Egyptians, and in the wilderness, in favour of the Israelites, and in the land of Canaan, by driving out the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 2 Samuel 7:18–29
He adores the greatness and glory of God (Sa2 7:22): Thou art great, O Lord God! for there is none like thee. God's gracious condescension to him, and the honour he had put upon him, did not at all abate his awful veneration for the divine Majesty; for the nearer any are brought to God the more they see of his glory, and the dearer we are in his eyes the greater he should be in ours. And this we acknowledge concerning God, that there is no being like him, nor any God besides him, and that what we have seen with our eyes of his power and goodness is according to all that we have heard with our ears, and the one half not told us. 5. He expresses a great esteem for the Israel of God, Sa2 7:23…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 2 Samuel 7:19–25 (WEB)
19This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord GOD, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this among men, Lord GOD! 20What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord GOD. 21For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22Therefore you are great, LORD God. For there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeemed to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24You established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever; and you, LORD, became their God. 25“Now, LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
Cross references
- Psalms 86:10
- Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
- Psalms 86:8
- 1 Chronicles 16:25
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
- Deuteronomy 3:24
“Lord GOD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness, and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do works like yours, and mighty acts like yours?
- Isaiah 45:5
I am the LORD, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me,
- 1 Samuel 2:2
There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.