2 Chronicles 6 22

2 Chronicles 6:22 kjv

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

2 Chronicles 6:22 nkjv

"If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple,

2 Chronicles 6:22 niv

"When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple,

2 Chronicles 6:22 esv

"If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house,

2 Chronicles 6:22 nlt

"If someone wrongs another person and is required to take an oath of innocence in front of your altar at this Temple,

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 22 Meaning

This verse describes a specific legal and ethical dilemma within ancient Israel: when an individual has wronged a neighbor but denies the offense. In such a situation, with insufficient human evidence, the accused is required to take a solemn oath, invoking divine witness, and performing this act physically before the altar in the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem. This action is an appeal to God, as the ultimate dispenser of truth and justice, to reveal the true state of affairs.

2 Chronicles 6 22 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 6 records King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. Following the glorious filling of the Temple by God's presence in chapter 5, Solomon kneels before the altar in the presence of the entire assembly and delivers a fervent prayer, blessing God for fulfilling His promises to David (vv. 1-11). The main body of the prayer (vv. 14-42) consists of Solomon's petitions for God to respond favorably when the people, facing various adversities or sins, turn towards this Temple and pray.

Verse 22 is part of a series of seven specific scenarios (or "contingency prayers") where God's people would appeal to Him from the Temple. This particular petition addresses situations involving unresolved interpersonal conflict and legal disputes. Specifically, it deals with an accusation of sin against a neighbor that is denied, leading to a legal oath being taken. The context emphasizes the Temple as the designated place where God would hear the prayers of His people and administer justice, providing a divine remedy where human legal processes were insufficient to determine truth. This highlighted God's role not just as a worship recipient, but as an active and righteous Judge within Israelite society.

2 Chronicles 6 22 Word analysis

• If anyone sins (kî yeḥěṭā’ ’îš - כִּי־יֶחֱטָ֣א אִישׁ֮): The Hebrew word ḥāṭā’ (חָטָא) refers to missing the mark or going astray, indicating an act of transgression. In this context, it implies an action that involves culpable wrongdoing, an offense that damages the moral and social order.

• against his neighbor (bĕrē‘ēhū - בּֽרֵעֵהוּ֮): Rēa‘ (רֵעַ) signifies a fellow human being, a friend, or an associate. This emphasizes that the sin is not just abstractly against God's law, but directly impacts human relationships, causing harm, deception, or injustice within the community. It underscores the communal nature of righteousness.

• and is made to take an oath (wĕnāśā’ bô ’ālāh - וְנָשָׂא־ב֛וֹ אָלָ֖ה): ’ālāh (אָלָה) is a solemn oath or curse, implying a self-maledictory oath. It is sworn invoking divine judgment upon oneself if one speaks falsely. This isn't a casual promise, but a legally binding and divinely sanctioned means of dispute resolution when truth is disputed and evidence is lacking. The accuser or judge imposes the oath, compelling the accused to swear by God.

• and comes to your altar (ûbā’ ’ālātô ’el-mizbaḥăkā - וּבָ֗א אָלָת֖וֹ אֶל־מִזְבַּחֲךָ֛): The mizbēaḥ (מִזְבֵּחַ) or "altar" was the focal point of divine worship and sacrifice. Approaching the altar signified entering God's immediate presence and submitting to His authority. It was a visible manifestation of invoking divine truth and justice, highlighting the sanctity and gravity of the sworn statement.

• in this house (babbayiṯ hazzěh - בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּה֮): Bayiṯ (בַּיִת) refers to the Temple. This reiterates that the Temple is the consecrated dwelling place of God's name, the ultimate court where disputes involving moral truth and hidden sin are to be settled under His discerning gaze.

• to swear (lěhiššāḇēa‘ - לְהִשָּׁבֵֽעַ): This is an infinitive form of šāḇa‘ (שָׁבַע), meaning "to take an oath." It specifies the exact purpose of the person's presence at the altar—to formally make this sacred, binding declaration.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "If anyone sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath": This phrase establishes a scenario where an unproven injustice or denial of wrongdoing exists between individuals, requiring divine arbitration. The legal process culminates in an appeal to God's omniscience through a solemn oath, indicating a breakdown in human trust or evidence.
  • "and comes to your altar in this house to swear": This section specifies the sacred ritual and location for the oath. The Temple and its altar symbolize God's immediate presence as witness and judge. It's a profound act of acknowledging God's sovereignty over truth and justice, where the one swearing puts their very life and reputation under divine scrutiny for their truthfulness or falsehood. This reinforces the Temple's role not just as a center of worship, but also as a divine tribunal.

2 Chronicles 6 22 Bonus section

• The emphasis on taking the oath "at your altar in this house" underscores a unique aspect of Israelite legal and religious practice compared to other ancient cultures. While oaths to deities were common, bringing a dispute directly to the central, consecrated dwelling place of YHWH for a sworn testimony highlighted God's singular sovereignty and presence within their judicial system.
• This passage reflects a high theological view of an oath as an invocation of God's active involvement, turning a dispute into a direct challenge or appeal to divine justice. False swearing, therefore, was not merely a lie but an egregious sin against God Himself (cf. Lev 19:12, Zech 8:17).
• From a New Testament perspective, while Jesus elevates the standard by warning against casual oaths and promoting radical truthfulness in speech (Mt 5:33-37; Jam 5:12), the underlying principle of divine judgment for dishonesty remains. The final judgment of all hidden things by God, as echoed in Rom 2:16 and Heb 4:13, is a fulfillment of this Solomonic prayer's longing for ultimate truth to prevail.

2 Chronicles 6 22 Commentary

Solomon's petition in 2 Chronicles 6:22 encapsulates a critical function of the Temple within Israelite society: it was envisioned as the supreme court where God Himself would adjudicate when human systems fell short. This verse specifically addresses cases of interpersonal wrongdoing where an oath taken before God was the final resort to establish truth. The Temple was not merely a place for spiritual sacrifice but a powerful symbol of divine presence and judicial authority. By asking God to "hear from heaven and act" (v. 23) in such scenarios, Solomon recognized that human legal processes could be fallible, and the integrity of the community depended on God's perfect justice revealing hidden guilt or confirming innocence. This prayer acknowledges God as the omniscient and righteous Judge, upholding the foundational principles of justice and truth within His covenant people, providing recourse even in the most obscure disputes.