Did God dwell in the Temple, or is he omnipresent?

Claim:

Solomon says, “I have surely built You [God] a lofty house, a place for Your dwelling forever” (1 Kings 8:13). Does this mean that God was confined to a space? Does it mean that he really isn’t omnipresent?

Response:

Solomon didn’t believe that God only dwelled in the Temple. Later in the chapter, we read, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” (v.27) For more on this topic, see our earlier article “Omnipresence.”

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.