2 Chronicles 6 12

2 Chronicles 6:12 kjv

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

2 Chronicles 6:12 nkjv

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands

2 Chronicles 6:12 niv

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.

2 Chronicles 6:12 esv

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.

2 Chronicles 6:12 nlt

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel, and he lifted his hands in prayer.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 12 Meaning

This verse describes King Solomon's solemn public posture preceding his lengthy dedication prayer for the newly built Temple. He stood at a significant location—before the altar—in full view of the assembled nation of Israel, and extended his hands in a traditional gesture of supplication and reverence towards God. This act underscored his role as a priestly king, mediating between God and His people, and established the profound solemnity of the covenant ceremony.

2 Chronicles 6 12 Context

This verse is situated during the monumental dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a defining moment in Israelite history. It follows Solomon's blessing of the assembly and precedes his extensive prayer. The larger context of 2 Chronicles 6 details the fulfillment of God's promise to David through the building of a permanent dwelling place for His name. Historically, kings often acted as heads of both state and religious affairs. Culturally, the act of public prayer led by a monarch was a common way to acknowledge divine sovereignty and invoke blessings for the nation. This event marked the formal installation of Yahweh's central sanctuary and His continued covenant presence among His people, serving as a distinct polemic against the polytheistic practices and idolatrous temple rituals prevalent in surrounding nations. Israel's Temple was uniquely dedicated to one God, YHWH, reflecting His singular claim over His people.

2 Chronicles 6 12 Word analysis

• Then he stood (וַיַּעֲמֹד): From the Hebrew verb עָמַד (ʿāmaḏ), meaning "to stand, to be present, to establish." This implies a deliberate, reverent, and stable posture. Solomon positioned himself purposefully and formally, taking a fixed stance of respect and leadership before performing a solemn act. His standing contrasts with his later kneeling in verse 13, showing different aspects of prayer postures for different aspects of worship/supplication.
• before the altar (לִפְנֵי מִזְבַּח):
  • לִפְנֵי (liphney): Literally "in the face of, before the presence of." Indicates a position directly in front of and in view of the object.
  • מִזְבַּח (mizbēaḥ): "altar," specifically referring to the great bronze altar in the Temple court, used for burnt offerings. Standing here places Solomon at the focal point of Israel's sacrificial system, the symbol of atonement and access to God, underscoring the sacred nature of the space and his mediating role for the nation. It highlights the divine holiness and the pathway of reconciliation.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה): This is the Tetragrammaton, YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal covenant name. This emphasizes that the altar, the Temple, and the worship are dedicated to the one true God who revealed Himself to Israel, underscoring the exclusivity and uniqueness of Israel's faith against paganism.
• in the presence of all the assembly (לְעֵינֵי כָּל־קְהַל):
  • לְעֵינֵי (leʿēnê): "in the eyes of, in the sight of." Emphasizes public visibility and witness.
  • כָּל־קְהַל (kol-qāhāl): "all the assembly, entire congregation." The Hebrew word קָהָל (qāhāl) denotes the gathered community of Israel, stressing that this was a public, corporate act, binding the entire nation to the dedication and prayer. It speaks to transparency and communal participation in this covenant event.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל): Refers to the collective nation, emphasizing that Solomon's prayer was for the entire covenant people, reinforcing their identity and relationship with YHWH.
• and spread out his hands (וַיִּפְרֹשׂ כַּפָּיו):
  • וַיִּפְרֹשׂ (wayyip̄rōś): From פָּרַשׂ (pārasׂ), "to spread out, stretch forth, unfurl." It signifies a deliberate and expansive gesture.
  • כַּפָּיו (kappāyw): From כַּף (kap̄), "palm of the hand, sole of the foot." The dual form "his hands" refers to both hands being outstretched. This posture is universally recognized in ancient Near Eastern and biblical contexts as a sign of supplication, earnest prayer, and open receptivity before God. It implies humility, expectation, and willingness to receive divine favor. In ancient Israel, this was a common prayer gesture, signifying intense petition and often directing prayer heavenward.

• "Then he stood before the altar of the LORD": This phrase highlights Solomon's dignified, official position as leader, but also his humility in standing before the sacred focal point representing God's presence. It indicates the ceremonial readiness for solemn worship and intercession.
• "in the presence of all the assembly of Israel": This emphasizes the communal and public nature of the dedication and prayer. The nation bore witness to their king's devotion and participation in the covenant renewal, making it a collective commitment and a publicly acknowledged act of leadership.
• "and spread out his hands": This act is a universal gesture of profound prayer, entreaty, and surrender. It visually represents Solomon's opening himself, and by extension the nation, before God to pour out requests and receive divine response.

2 Chronicles 6 12 Bonus section

This verse, especially with its parallel in 1 Kings 8:22, provides valuable insight into the roles and postures of leaders in ancient Israelite worship. While Levitical priests were set apart for specific liturgical functions, kings often led in national worship, demonstrating a unique kingly-priestly interface. This particular posture of "spreading out the hands" (which 1 Kgs 8:22 explicitly states was "toward heaven") was a well-known ancient prayer stance, seen across various cultures, symbolizing opening oneself to the divine. The Temple, though built by human hands, was understood not to contain God (as Solomon affirms later in his prayer, 2 Chr 6:18), but rather as a designated place where God's "name" or "presence" resided, making the altar the most appropriate spot for such a public and earnest appeal. This ceremony serves as a model of worship leadership, communal gathering for sacred purposes, and expressive, humble prayer directed solely towards the One True God.

2 Chronicles 6 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:12 encapsulates the formal initiation of Solomon's dedication prayer, a pivotal moment of Israel's spiritual history. Solomon's action of standing before the altar signifies his mediatorial role as king, presenting himself and the entire nation before God at the designated point of sacrifice and reconciliation. The "altar of the LORD" represents not just a physical structure, but the core of Israel's relationship with Yahweh, where atonement was made and God's holiness was met. His stance "in the presence of all the assembly of Israel" transforms a personal act of devotion into a communal act of national worship and covenant reaffirmation, stressing public accountability and corporate faith. The universal gesture of spreading out his hands conveys profound reverence, earnest supplication, and readiness to receive divine grace. This verse sets the stage for the substance of Solomon's intercessory prayer, laying a foundation of solemnity, visibility, and sincere devotion at the heart of the newly established Temple worship. It reminds believers of the importance of deliberate, open-hearted prayer, both individually and corporately, before God.