2 Samuel 7:6
New International Version
I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.

New Living Translation
I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.

English Standard Version
I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.

Berean Standard Bible
For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling.

King James Bible
Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

New King James Version
For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle.

New American Standard Bible
For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place.

NASB 1995
“For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.

NASB 1977
“For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.

Legacy Standard Bible
For I have not inhabited a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been going about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.

Amplified Bible
For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought the sons (descendants) of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.

Christian Standard Bible
From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as my dwelling.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as My dwelling.

American Standard Version
for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Contemporary English Version
I didn't live in a temple when I brought my people out of Egypt, and I don't live in one now. A tent has always been my home wherever I have gone with them.

English Revised Version
for I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I haven't lived in a house from the day I took Israel out of Egypt to this day. Instead, I moved around in a tent, the tent [of meeting].

Good News Translation
From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent.

International Standard Version
After all, I haven't lived in a house since the day I brought up the Israelis from Egypt until now. Instead, I've moved around in a tent that served as my dwelling place.

Majority Standard Bible
For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling.

NET Bible
I have not lived in a house from the time I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. Instead, I was traveling with them and living in a tent.

New Heart English Bible
For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent, and in a tabernacle.

World English Bible
For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For I have not dwelt in a house even from the day of My bringing up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, and am walking up and down in a tent and in a dwelling place.

Young's Literal Translation
for I have not dwelt in a house even from the day of My bringing up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, even unto this day, and am walking up and down in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I dwelt not in a house from the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt even to this day, and I shall be going in a tent and in a dwelling.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whereas I have not dwelt in a house from the day that I brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt even to this day: but have walked in a tabernacle, and in a tent.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I have not lived in a house from the day that I led the sons of Israel away from the land of Egypt, even to this day. Instead, I have walked in a tabernacle, and in a tent.

New American Bible
I have never dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up from Egypt to this day, but I have been going about in a tent or a tabernacle.

New Revised Standard Version
I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, to this day, but I have moved in tents.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because I have not dwelt in a house from the day that I brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt and until today, and I have been walking in tents
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I have not dwelt in a house from the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I have been walking in a lodge and in a tent,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Covenant with David
5“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? 6For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. 7In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’…

Cross References
1 Kings 8:16
‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

1 Chronicles 17:5
For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling.

Acts 7:48-50
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

Jeremiah 7:12-14
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers.

Exodus 25:8-9
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. / You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 40:34-38
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. ...

Leviticus 26:11-12
And I will make My dwelling place among you, and My soul will not despise you. / I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Numbers 9:15-23
On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. / It remained that way continually; the cloud would cover the tabernacle by day, and at night it would appear like fire. / Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. ...

Deuteronomy 12:5-11
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. ...

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

1 Chronicles 28:2
Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,

Psalm 78:60
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men.

Psalm 132:5
until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

John 4:21-24
“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Whereas I have not dwelled in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

I have not

Joshua 18:1
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

1 Kings 8:16
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

1 Chronicles 17:5,6
For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another

walked

Exodus 33:14,15
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest…

Exodus 40:35-38
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle…

Leviticus 26:23,24,27,28
And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; …

tent

Exodus 40:18,19,34
And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars…

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

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Children Dwelling Dwelt Egypt House Israel Israelites Moved Moving Tabernacle Tent Time Walked Walking Whereas
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














I have not dwelt in a house
The Hebrew word for "dwelt" is "yashab," which conveys the idea of sitting, remaining, or abiding. This phrase emphasizes God's choice not to be confined to a permanent structure. Historically, this reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, where God’s presence was symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, which was housed in a tent. Theologically, it underscores God's transcendence and His desire to be among His people in a dynamic, rather than static, manner.

from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt
The phrase "brought the Israelites up" uses the Hebrew verb "alah," meaning to ascend or go up. This recalls the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's history, where God delivered His people from slavery. It highlights God's active role in the liberation and guidance of Israel, reinforcing His identity as a deliverer and protector. This historical context serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ongoing relationship with His people.

to this day
This phrase indicates the continuity of God's actions and presence with Israel. It suggests a timeline that extends from the past into the present moment of the narrative. Theologically, it speaks to the unchanging nature of God and His consistent involvement in the lives of His people. It reassures believers of God's enduring presence and commitment.

but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling
The word "moved about" is translated from the Hebrew "halak," meaning to walk or go. This conveys the image of God accompanying His people on their journey, symbolized by the tent, or "mishkan," which means dwelling place or tabernacle. The tent was a temporary and mobile structure, reflecting the transient nature of the Israelites' journey and God's willingness to be with them wherever they went. This imagery emphasizes God's accessibility and His desire to be intimately involved in the lives of His people, not confined to a single location. It also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of God dwelling among humanity through Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14).

Verse 6. - I have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle; literally, I have walked continually; that is, I have ever been a wanderer, first, in the wilderness, and subsequently at Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon. Instead of a "tabernacle," the Hebrew has a "dwelling." This may refer to the houses of Abinadab and Obed-Edom, but the words more probably signify "a tent that was my dwelling."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

dwelt
יָשַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ (yā·šaḇ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in a house
בְּבַ֔יִת (bə·ḇa·yiṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

from the day
לְ֠מִיּוֹם (lə·mî·yō·wm)
Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

I brought
הַעֲלֹתִ֞י (ha·‘ă·lō·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

out of Egypt
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

until
וְעַ֖ד (wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

day,
הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

but I have
וָאֶֽהְיֶה֙ (wā·’eh·yeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

moved about
מִתְהַלֵּ֔ךְ (miṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with a tent
בְּאֹ֖הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

as My dwelling.
וּבְמִשְׁכָּֽן׃ (ū·ḇə·miš·kān)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT History: 2 Samuel 7:6 For I have not lived (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 7:5
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