2 Chronicles 6 20

2 Chronicles 6:20 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 6:20 nkjv

that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:20 niv

May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:20 esv

that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:20 nlt

May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 20 Meaning

This verse contains Solomon's fervent plea during the dedication of the First Temple, requesting God's continuous and active attention upon the physical structure of the Temple. He asks that God's watchful eyes remain fixed, day and night, on this specific location, which God Himself designated for the dwelling of His Name. The ultimate purpose of this divine attentiveness is so that God would always listen to and respond to the prayers offered by His servant, the king, and by extension, His people, towards this sacred place.

2 Chronicles 6 20 Context

This verse is part of Solomon's magnificent dedication prayer for the First Temple in Jerusalem. Occurring after the completion of the elaborate construction (2 Chr 5:1), and the ark's placement, which caused the glory of the LORD to fill the house, Solomon ascends the bronze platform before the altar to deliver his powerful prayer (2 Chr 6:12-42). He first acknowledges God's covenant faithfulness and unparalleled greatness, asserting God's transcendence by declaring that "heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (2 Chr 6:18). Despite God's transcendence, Solomon appeals to God's self-revelation, His choice of Jerusalem and the Temple to "put His Name there." This verse, therefore, serves as the direct plea within a larger prayer of consecration, highlighting the Temple's designated purpose as a central point of divine-human interaction, primarily through prayer. Historically, it reflects the hopes and theological understanding of Israel regarding their relationship with a transcendent God made accessible through His appointed place.

2 Chronicles 6 20 Word analysis

• that thine eyes may be open (Hebrew: pəquḥōṯ, פְּקֻח֛וֹת from paqach - to open): This is an anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics (eyes opening) to God. It signifies God's continuous, vigilant, and caring observation. It speaks not of a physical gaze, but of divine attention, oversight, and a state of active awareness and watchfulness over something precious and important. It implies an readiness to perceive, discern, and then to act or respond.
• upon this house: Refers to the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem. This "house" is not a dwelling that limits God's omnipresence, but a designated sacred space where God has chosen to manifest His presence and receive worship from His people.
• day and night: This phrase emphasizes the ceaseless, uninterrupted, and perpetual nature of God's attentiveness. It suggests a constant state of divine vigilance without intermission, implying absolute availability to those who call upon Him there.
• upon the place whereof thou hast said: Highlights the divine initiative and designation. This location's significance stems entirely from God's prior choice and declaration. It emphasizes that the sanctity of the place is not inherent, but derived from God's explicit word.
• that thou wouldest put thy name there (Hebrew: lāśûm šəmeḵā šām, לָשׂוּם שְׁמֶךְ֙ שָׁם֙): This is a crucial concept known as "Name Theology." It doesn't mean God's physical essence is confined to the Temple, but rather that His authoritative presence, His revealed character, and His active representation would be uniquely manifested and accessible there. The "name" signifies His being, authority, and redemptive purpose, providing a point of contact for humanity with a transcendent God. It's a localized demonstration of His presence, making Him known and approachable.
• to hearken unto the prayer (Hebrew: lišmōaʿ, לִשְׁמ֤וֹעַ from shema - to hear): Implies not merely perceiving sounds, but actively listening with the intent to consider and respond. It denotes a readiness to receive supplication and implies a disposition towards granting the requests consistent with His will and covenant.
• which thy servant prayeth: Solomon humbles himself before God, acknowledging his position as a minister and dependent subject, emphasizing that this is a humble, sincere petition.
• toward this place: Specifies the directional focus of prayer. Even when Israelites were not physically within the Temple, they were encouraged to pray in its direction, recognizing it as God's chosen point of interaction and the location of His Name. This orientation symbolizes a spiritual alignment with God's designated holy space.

Words-group analysis:

• that thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night: This phrase collectively represents a profound yearning for continuous divine watchfulness, protection, and providential care over the sacred edifice. It implies that God's presence at the Temple should be not merely intermittent but constant and active, guaranteeing the security and sanctity of His dwelling of the Name.
• upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there: This segment powerfully links the request for God's presence to His own prior divine commitment. The Temple's significance is validated by God's choice to establish His renown, authority, and character at this particular site, making it a focal point for divine revelation and encounter, rather than a mere man-made structure.
• to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place: This final clause defines the primary function and desired outcome of God's attention to the Temple: the reception and response to the earnest prayers of His people. It positions the Temple as the quintessential place for intimate communion with God through supplication, emphasizing that its holiness is inherently tied to its role as a house of prayer where divine promises can be invoked.

2 Chronicles 6 20 Bonus section

The concept of "day and night" not only signifies continuous prayer, but also the continuous watchfulness of God's providence over His covenant people. It reflects God's unceasing commitment. Furthermore, the phrasing "whereof thou hast said" is a subtle but potent affirmation of the covenant God's faithfulness to His own Word. Solomon is not inventing a request, but reminding God of His prior declaration regarding His Name's dwelling, appealing to divine consistency. This verse anticipates God's direct affirmation in 2 Chronicles 7:15, where He responds, "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place," indicating that Solomon's plea was heard and granted. This demonstrates the dynamic relationship between a God who listens and a people who call upon Him through His designated means.

2 Chronicles 6 20 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:20 stands as a foundational plea in Solomon's Temple dedication, embodying Israel's profound theological understanding of their transcendent God engaging with humanity. Despite acknowledging that the "heaven of heavens cannot contain" God, Solomon earnestly prays for God's unceasing, active attention on the Temple. This continuous vigilance, "day and night," is sought not for God to be literally confined, but because it is the chosen "place whereof Thou hast said Thou wouldest put Thy name there." This "name theology" means God would manifest His authoritative presence, His character, and His covenant promises in a localized, accessible manner. The core purpose of this divine attentiveness is hearing and responding to "the prayer which Thy servant prayeth toward this place." Thus, the Temple becomes the focal point, the conduit through which God's people approach Him with their needs, knowing He has committed to be accessible there. It signifies that God is both utterly transcendent yet intimately available to those who seek Him according to His divine appointments. The verse underscores that effective prayer relies on God's prior choice and promised presence, directing the believer's focus to God's faithfulness in listening and responding to sincere cries.This plea exemplifies that:

• Even for majestic endeavors, divine blessing and attentiveness are paramount.
• God is approachable through the means and places He Himself designates.
• Prayer directed toward God's chosen "place" (today, spiritually towards Christ, the Heavenly Temple) connects us to His active, covenantal presence.