2 Chronicles 6 13

2 Chronicles 6:13 kjv

For Solomon had made a brazen 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.

2 Chronicles 6:13 nkjv

(for Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven);

2 Chronicles 6:13 niv

Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

2 Chronicles 6:13 esv

Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven,

2 Chronicles 6:13 nlt

Now Solomon had made a bronze platform 7 1?2 feet long, 7 1?2 feet wide, and 4 1?2 feet high and had placed it at the center of the Temple's outer courtyard. He stood on the platform, and then he knelt in front of the entire community of Israel and lifted his hands toward heaven.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 13 Meaning

2 Chronicles 6:13 describes the physical setup and posture of King Solomon during his pivotal prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. He constructed a special, elevated platform made of bronze, situated in the very center of the Temple court, enabling him to be seen and heard by the vast congregation. From this prominent position, Solomon first stood, then reverently knelt before the people of Israel, extending his hands toward heaven as he delivered his solemn intercession to God. This posture underscored his humility, reliance on the Almighty, and his role as the spiritual representative of the entire nation.

2 Chronicles 6 13 Context

2 Chronicles 6 details Solomon's extensive prayer during the dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer follows the grand ceremony of placing the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies (Ch. 5). Having constructed the Temple, Solomon leads the people in consecrating it to the Lord. His prayer in chapter 6 is an articulation of the theological significance of the Temple—not as God's dwelling place in a confined sense, but as a place where His name dwells, and where His people can come to seek Him and confess their sins. The prayer also includes petitions for God's blessing, forgiveness, and remembrance of His covenant promises to David. Verse 13 specifically describes the public nature and profound humility of Solomon's supplication, highlighting the visual and symbolic aspects of this monumental occasion, as a model of worship for the entire nation assembled.

2 Chronicles 6 13 Word analysis

• For Solomon: Establishes the agent and links back to the preceding events of the Temple's completion and consecration. Solomon acts as king and spiritual leader.
• had made a brazen scaffold: (Hebrew: מִבְנֵה נְחֹשֶׁת, mibneh n'choshet - "structure of bronze"). This term emphasizes it as a deliberate, constructed platform, differing slightly from the parallel in 1 Kings 8:54 (כִּיֹּור הַנְּחֹשֶׁת, kiyyōr ha-n'choshet, often translated as "bronze basin/laver," implying it might have been adapted from a laver, or kiyyor could also mean a round, raised stand). Chronicles clarifies its function here as a scaffold or podium, distinct from ceremonial wash basins. Bronze symbolized durability and the sacrificial elements associated with the Tabernacle/Temple (e.g., bronze altar). Its presence here lends permanence and prominence to the king's sacred action.
• five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high: (A cubit is approx. 18 inches). This translates to approximately 7.5 feet x 7.5 feet x 4.5 feet. These precise dimensions indicate a substantial, square platform. Its height was significant enough to elevate Solomon above the vast crowd, making him visible to the entire assembly in the extensive court, reinforcing his representative role.
• and had set it in the midst of the court: The court (likely the great outer court, or women's court if existed) would have been teeming with thousands of Israelites. Placing the platform "in the midst" signifies its centrality to the ceremony and highlights Solomon's desire for his prayer to be a public, communal act involving the entire nation. It also allowed all to witness the humility of their king.
• and upon it he stood: Initially, Solomon positioned himself to stand, indicating his authority as king and head of the nation, commanding attention for the address and prayer that followed.
• and kneeled down upon his knees: The repetition ("kneeled... upon his knees") powerfully emphasizes profound humility, reverence, and submission to God. It signals Solomon's understanding that despite his royal status and the grandeur of the Temple, he was still a servant before the Almighty God. This gesture of complete obeisance was a common posture of supplication in the ancient Near East but particularly meaningful in the context of Israelite worship to the one true God, contrasting with pagan rulers who might posture as divine themselves.
• before all the congregation of Israel: Reinforces the public nature of the prayer. Solomon was not praying privately but as the visible representative and intercessor for the entire covenant people, inviting their participation and agreement through witness.
• and spread forth his hands toward heaven: This is a widely recognized and ancient gesture of prayer, signifying reaching out to God, openness, petition, and often expectation of receiving divine blessing or aid. Praying "toward heaven" indicates God's transcendence and sovereignty, affirming His abode in heaven while His "Name" would dwell in the Temple.

2 Chronicles 6 13 Bonus section

The meticulous description of the bronze scaffold, its dimensions, and placement, underscores Chronicles' particular interest in the Temple's construction and cultic arrangements. This attention to detail isn't merely architectural; it serves to legitimate and glorify the Jerusalem Temple as the central place of Israel's worship. By elevating Solomon on a specifically crafted platform for prayer, the Chronicler highlights the importance of the king's role as both royal patron and active participant in Israel's worship life. This section can be seen as foreshadowing the Messianic king, who would ultimately embody perfect humility and intercession for His people. The account in Chronicles often magnifies the king's piety and dedication, serving as a didactic example for post-exilic Israel to uphold covenant faithfulness centered around the restored Temple.

2 Chronicles 6 13 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:13 encapsulates a moment of profound spiritual significance during the dedication of Solomon's Temple. It vividly portrays Solomon's leadership not just through monumental construction, but through humble and visible spiritual example. The bronze platform, specifically built for the occasion, elevated Solomon to be seen by the multitude, emphasizing his role as the chosen mediator for the nation's public covenant with God. His posture – moving from standing as king to kneeling in utter submission and spreading his hands toward heaven – visually communicated a deep reverence for God, setting a powerful precedent for his people. This was a king, the most powerful figure, humbling himself before the True King of all the earth, inviting the entire assembly to participate in and identify with this act of devotion. The public nature of his prayer underscored the Temple's purpose as a communal center for worship, confession, and the reception of divine grace for all Israel, rooted in the humility and intercession of their anointed leader.