[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your panelled houses,.... They could not only find time, leisure, and convenience to build houses to dwell in; but to wainscot them, and line them with boards of cedar, as the Targum; as bad as the times were complained of; and could sit in them, indulging themselves in luxury, ease, and sloth; and why then was it not a fit and convenient time as well to build the house of the Lord in?
and this house [lie] waste? or, "and shall this house lie waste?" or, "when this house lies waste?" not indeed in its rubbish and ruins, as it was demolished by the Chaldeans, and left; but with a bare foundation, laid some years ago; and ever since neglected; the superstructure not carried on, and much less built up to be fit for service; and therefore might be said with propriety to lie waste and desolate, being unfinished, unfit for use, and no regard had unto it.
David was of another mind, 2Sa 7:2 and truly religious persons will be more concerned for the house of God than for their own houses. brx hzh tybhw "et domus ista deserta manebit?" Drusius; "quum domus haec vasta est?"
Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "dum domus haec desolata est?"