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2 Chronicles 6

Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,

Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:

But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.

The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.

And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:

For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:

Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.

Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:

That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.

Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;

Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;

Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:

Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;

Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;

Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;

Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

What does 2 Chronicles 6:34 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:34

"If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;"

Explanation

2 Chronicles 6:34 refers to a prayer made by King Solomon during the dedication of the temple he built in Jerusalem.

In this verse, Solomon anticipates situations when Israel would have to go to war.

He requests that if they pray towards the city of Jerusalem, specifically towards the temple he has constructed for God's name (symbolizing God's presence), that God would hear their prayers and grant them victory against their enemies.

The verse underscores the belief in God as the divine protector and guide in times of conflict and the temple as the focal point of communal faith and prayer.

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Historical Context

This verse is located within the narrative describing the dedication of the first temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem, an event that is said to have occurred around 957 BC.

The temple was central to Jewish worship and was regarded as the place where God's presence dwelled.

At the time, going to war was common for ancient kingdoms, and seeking the favor of the deity was crucial for victory.

Solomon's prayer reflects the mindset of an era where warfare was intertwined with religious devotion and dependence on divine support.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, 2 Chronicles 6:34 conveys several concepts.

First, it speaks to the sovereignty of God; it is God who ultimately decides the outcome of battles.

Second, it shows the temple as the physical representation of God's presence on earth and a point of contact between God and His people.

Third, it affirms the practice of directional prayer, praying towards a holy site, which is found in various religious traditions.

Lastly, the verse implies the conditionality of divine aid, emphasizing faith and ritual as prerequisites for receiving God's favor.

Practical Applications

In modern terms, this verse could inspire individuals to consider their own 'temples' or sacred spaces for meditation and prayer.

It suggests the importance of having a designated place where one feels connected to the divine. The practice of praying for guidance during difficult times, especially in communal or national challenges, can also be derived from this verse.

Furthermore, it highlights the need to remember and reach out to the divine presence in periods of strife or conflict.

Cross-References

1 Kings 8:44-45: "If thy people go out to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause."
2 Chronicles 20:9: "If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, for thy name is in this house, and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help."
Psalm 138:7: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."

Language Study

Key words in the original Hebrew text of this verse include:

"Pray" (תפללו - tefillalu): From the root פלל, meaning to intervene, intercede, or to pray.
"City" (עיר - ir): Often refers to a place of significance, not just a generic city.
"Chosen" (בחרת - bacharta): To select or choose with a purpose.
"House" (בית - bayit): Can mean house, temple, or even family.
"Name" (שם - shem): Not just the literal name, but also representative of character, reputation, and essence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Directional prayer towards a holy site is not unique to Judaism.

For example, Muslims pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca.

In various ancient cultures, specific temples or sites were considered particularly holy and were the focus of prayer and pilgrimage.

The verse reflects a broader religious concept that the divine dwells in certain designated locations, and that these locations have a special status in the practice of a faith.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community typically does not comment directly on verses like 2 Chronicles 6:34 because it deals more with theological concepts and practices rather than empirical claims.

However, there is a field of study called neurotheology that investigates the neurological basis for experiences and phenomena associated with religious practices, such as prayer.

Researchers in this field might examine the brain states associated with directional prayer and the psychological impacts of such spiritual rituals.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on 2 Chronicles 6:34:

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that Solomon foresaw Israel's future wars and entreaties for God's help, emphasizing the need for the nation to turn to God during trials.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the importance of both the temple and Jerusalem as central to Israel's worship and as symbols of God's presence and favor.
Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament highlights the conditional aspect of the prayer—that the people must direct their prayers toward the chosen city and house as an expression of faithfulness and commitment.
Modern commentators often focus on the spiritual implications of the verse, suggesting its timeless relevance for people of faith who seek divine assistance in personal or communal struggles.

2 Chronicles 6

2 Chronicles 6

What does 2 Chronicles 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Chronicles Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 2 Chronicles 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Chronicles Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?