2 Chronicles 6: Solomon blesses Israel and prays at the dedication of the house
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Solomon says that Yahweh has said he would dwell in the thick darkness and that he has built him a house. He turns, blesses the assembly, and tells how Yahweh chose Jerusalem and David, and how David's son was to build the house. Then he kneels on a bronze platform with his hands spread out and prays: for Yahweh to keep his word to David, and to hear from heaven when people pray toward the house, in wrong-doing, defeat, drought, famine, the foreigner's prayer, battle and captivity. He ends by asking Yahweh to arise into his resting place and to remember "the loving kindnesses of David" (shown to David, or shown by him).
Who is speaking?
Solomon speaks in verses 1 and 2 and from verse 4 to the end, and the narrator tells verses 3, 12 and 13. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. In verses 5, 6, 8 and 9 Solomon repeats what Yahweh said, and in verse 16 he repeats Yahweh's promise to David. Those are Solomon's words reporting God, so they are not in gold. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
In plain English: Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
The Hebrew word: "Thick darkness" is araphel, which the dictionary gives as "gloom (as of a lowering sky)".
How it is translated: Araphel is in 15 verses of the Bible. This Bible's English has "thick darkness" in 11 of them, about 3 times in 4, and "darkness" in 14 (this counts the same 11).
Good to know: has the same words from Solomon. The text here gives only what Solomon says Yahweh has said. It does not say where or when.
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2But I have built you a house and home, a place for you to dwell in forever.”
In plain English: But I have built you a house to live in, a place for you to dwell in forever."
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3The king turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.
In plain English: The king turned his face and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood.
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4He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying,
In plain English: He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father and has fulfilled it with his hands, saying,
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5‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there, and I chose no man to be prince over my people Israel;
In plain English: 'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, so that my name might be there, and I chose no man to be ruler over my people Israel;
Good to know: In verses 5, 6, 8 and 9 Solomon repeats what Yahweh said. Verse 7 is Solomon's own telling. They are Solomon's words reporting God, so they are not in gold. begins in much the same way, but it does not have the words "and I chose no man to be ruler over my people Israel".
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6but now I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’
In plain English: but now I have chosen Jerusalem, so that my name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'
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7Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In plain English: Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
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8But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart;
In plain English: But Yahweh said to David my father, 'Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
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9nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will come out of your body, he shall build the house for my name.’
In plain English: Only you shall not build the house. Your son, who will come out of your body, he will build the house for my name.'
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10“Yahweh has performed his word that he spoke; for I have risen up in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In plain English: "Yahweh has made his word stand that he spoke. I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh spoke, and I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
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11There I have set the ark, in which is Yahweh’s covenant, which he made with the children of Israel.”
In plain English: There I have put the ark, where Yahweh's covenant is, which he made with the children of Israel."
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12He stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands
In plain English: He stood before Yahweh's altar in front of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands
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13(for Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the middle of the court; and he stood on it, and knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven).
In plain English: (for Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the middle of the court. He stood on it, and knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven).
The Hebrew word: "Platform" is kiyor, the same word that is "basins" in and 4:14. The dictionary gives it as "a washbowl" and also as "a platform".
How it is translated: In 2 Chronicles kiyor is in 3 verses: this Bible's English has "platform" in 1 of them (6:13) and "basins" in 2.
Good to know: says only that Solomon stood before the altar and spread out his hands toward heaven. The platform is only in this verse. has him rise "from kneeling on his knees" after the prayer.
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14Then he said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants who walk before you with all their heart;
In plain English: Then he said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth, you who keep the covenant and loving kindness with your servants who walk before you with all their heart,
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15who have kept with your servant David my father that which you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth, and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today.
In plain English: who have kept for your servant David my father what you spoke to him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today.
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16“Now therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’
In plain English: "Now, Yahweh, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you spoke to him, saying, 'A man will not be cut off from you in my sight (this Bible: There shall not fail you a man in my sight) to sit on the throne of Israel, only if your children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.'
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17Now therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David.
In plain English: Now, Yahweh, the God of Israel, let your word be made firm, the word you spoke to your servant David.
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18“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house which I have built!
In plain English: "But will God really dwell with humankind on the earth? Look, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot hold you. How much less this house which I have built!
Good to know: has almost the same words: "But will God in very deed dwell on the earth?" This verse says "dwell with humankind on the earth".
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19Yet have respect for the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, Yahweh my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you;
In plain English: Yet turn to the prayer of your servant and to his plea for favor, Yahweh my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you,
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20that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place where you have said that you would put your name, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place.
In plain English: that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, toward the place where you said you would put your name, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place.
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21Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.
In plain English: Listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Yes, you, hear from your dwelling place, from heaven. And when you hear, forgive.
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22“If a man sins against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house,
In plain English: "If a man sins against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to make him swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house,
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23then hear from heaven, act, and judge your servants, bringing retribution to the wicked, to bring his way on his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
In plain English: then you, hear from heaven, act, and judge your servants: pay back the guilty person by putting his conduct on his own head, and clear the righteous person by giving him according to his righteousness.
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24“If your people Israel are struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and confess your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house,
In plain English: "If your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn back, and confess (or: praise) your name, and pray and plead for favor before you in this house,
The Hebrew word: "Confess" is yadah, which the dictionary gives as "to throw" and "especially to revere or worship (with extended hands)". Its first meaning is to throw, and the text does not say which sense is meant here.
How it is translated: Yadah is in 111 verses of the Bible. This Bible's English has forms of "praise" in 51 of them, forms of "thank" in 67, and forms of "confess" in 17.
What changes: Read as "praise your name", the people honor Yahweh's name when they turn back. Read as "confess your name", they acknowledge it. Verse 26 uses the same word.
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25then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.
In plain English: then you, hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.
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26“When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name, and turn from their sin when you afflict them,
In plain English: "When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and they pray toward this place and confess (or: praise) your name, and turn back from their sin when you afflict them (or: because you afflict them),
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27then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and send rain on your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.
In plain English: then you, hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them (or: that you direct them to) the good way in which they should walk, and give rain on your land, which you gave to your people for an inheritance.
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28“If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is—
In plain English: "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities (word for word: of its gates), whatever plague or whatever sickness there is,
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29whatever prayer and supplication is made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who will each know his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread out his hands toward this house,
In plain English: whatever prayer and plea is made by any person, or by all your people Israel, who each know their own plague and their own pain, and spread out their hands toward this house,
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30then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men),
In plain English: then you, hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to each person according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, you alone, know the hearts of the children of humankind),
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31that they may fear you, to walk in your ways as long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.
In plain English: so that they may fear you and walk in your ways all the days they live on the land which you gave to our fathers.
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32“Moreover, concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for your great name’s sake and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house,
In plain English: "Also, as for the foreigner who is not of your people Israel, who comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house,
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33then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.
In plain English: then you, hear from heaven, from your dwelling place, and do all that the foreigner calls to you for, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as your people Israel do, and may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.
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34“If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you send them, and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name;
In plain English: "If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you send them, and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name,
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35then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
In plain English: then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause (word for word: do their justice).
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36“If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near;
In plain English: "If they sin against you (for there is no one who does not sin), and you are angry with them and give them up before an enemy, and their captors carry them away to a land far off or near,
Good to know: "For there is no man who doesn't sin" is in in the same words. That verse ends "to the land of the enemy, far off or near", and this verse ends "to a land far off or near".
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37yet if they come to their senses in the land where they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly;’
In plain English: yet if they come to their senses (word for word: bring back to their heart) in the land where they are taken captive, and turn back, and plead for favor to you in the land of their captivity, saying, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, and we have acted wickedly,'
The Hebrew words: "Come to their senses" is word for word "bring back to their heart". It uses shuv, the same verb as "turn again" later in the same verse, so the verse says they bring back, and then turn back.
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38if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been taken captive, and pray toward their land which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name;
In plain English: if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they took them captive, and pray toward their land which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name,
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39then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, their prayer and their petitions, and maintain their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
In plain English: then hear from heaven, from your dwelling place, their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
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40“Now, my God, let, I beg you, your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
In plain English: "Now, my God, please let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.
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41“Now therefore arise, Yahweh God, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in goodness.
In plain English: Now arise, Yahweh God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your faithful ones rejoice in what is good.
Good to know: has these lines: "Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength." There the priests are "clothed with righteousness", and here they are "clothed with salvation".
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42“Yahweh God, don’t turn away the face of your anointed. Remember your loving kindnesses to David your servant.”
In plain English: Yahweh God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one. Remember the loving kindnesses of David your servant (or: shown to David your servant)."
The Hebrew words: "Your loving kindnesses to David" is word for word "the loving kindnesses of David". It can mean the kindnesses shown to David, or the kindnesses David showed. The text does not say which.
Good to know: has "For your servant David's sake, don't turn away the face of your anointed one."
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