The Meaning of 2 Samuel 7:2 Explained

2 Samuel 7:2

KJV: That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

YLT: that the king saith unto Nathan the prophet, 'See, I pray thee, I am dwelling in a house of cedars, and the ark of God is dwelling in the midst of the curtain.'

Darby: that the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedars, and the ark of God dwells under curtains.

ASV: that the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That the king  said  unto Nathan  the prophet,  See  now, I dwell  in an house  of cedar,  but the ark  of God  dwelleth  within  curtains. 

What does 2 Samuel 7:2 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 7:1-17 - The Glorious Future Of David's House
Always do better for the cause of God than for yourself. You have no right to dwell in cedar, while God's Ark is under curtains. Also, beware of giving directions or advice, unless you have first consulted God. You may be as good as Nathan, but, if you speak apart from the divine Spirit, you will probably be compelled, on the following morning, to eat your words.
David's intention was good, but neither was he the man nor was that the time for temple-building. See 1 Chronicles 22:8. The sword could not yet be exchanged for the trowel, but in the meantime the will was accepted in lieu of the act. It was then God's turn to pour out a perfect avalanche of blessing, which must have made David forget those weary years of waiting and wandering. Do not be anxious about the future. Use your life and all its resources for God, and he will care for you. No tongue can exaggerate the goodness and mercy which God lays up for them that trust in Him before the sons of men. And it is because He loves that He does not hesitate to chasten. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 7

1  Nathan, first approving the purpose of David to build God a house
4  After by the word of God forbids him
12  God promises him benefits and blessings in his seed
18  David's prayer and thanksgiving

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 7:2 mean?

that said the king to Nathan the prophet See now I dwell in a house of cedar but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֶל־ נָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֔יא רְאֵ֣ה נָ֔א אָנֹכִ֥י יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּבֵ֣ית אֲרָזִ֑ים וַֽאֲרוֹן֙ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים יֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיְרִיעָֽה

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר  that  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
נָתָ֣ן  Nathan 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: נָתָן  
Sense: a son of David by Bathsheba.
הַנָּבִ֔יא  the  prophet 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: נָבִיא  
Sense: spokesman, speaker, prophet.
רְאֵ֣ה  See 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
נָ֔א  now 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
יוֹשֵׁ֖ב  dwell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בְּבֵ֣ית  in  a  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
אֲרָזִ֑ים  of  cedar 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֶרֶז  
Sense: cedar.
וַֽאֲרוֹן֙  but  the  ark 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים  of  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
יֹשֵׁ֖ב  dwells 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בְּת֥וֹךְ  inside 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: תָּוֶךְ  
Sense: midst, middle.
הַיְרִיעָֽה  tent  curtains 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יְרִיעָה  
Sense: curtain, drape.