2 Chronicles 6 30

2 Chronicles 6:30 kjv

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

2 Chronicles 6:30 nkjv

then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),

2 Chronicles 6:30 niv

then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart),

2 Chronicles 6:30 esv

then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind,

2 Chronicles 6:30 nlt

then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 30 Meaning

This verse is a plea within King Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple. It asks God, who resides in heaven, to hear the prayers of His people, to grant forgiveness when they repent, and to render judgment to each person based on their actions, because He alone possesses perfect knowledge of their hearts – their true intentions and inner states – an attribute no human or other entity holds. It emphasizes God's transcendence, omniscience, justice, and mercy.

2 Chronicles 6 30 Context

Chapter 6 of 2 Chronicles records King Solomon’s lengthy prayer of dedication at the completion of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer is pivotal, demonstrating Solomon’s theological understanding and hope for Israel’s relationship with God centered around the newly built sanctuary. After recalling God's covenant with David and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promise regarding the Temple, Solomon blesses the assembly. The core of his prayer (verses 22-42) is a series of petitions for specific situations where the people might face adversity – defeat in battle, famine, plague, sin, exile, or the presence of a foreigner seeking God. In each scenario, Solomon petitions God to hear the people's prayer offered toward or at the Temple, to act justly, and to forgive. Verse 30 falls within this series, specifically addressing instances of sin and the need for God’s judgment and forgiveness, emphasizing the critical aspect of God's internal knowledge of human hearts. Historically, this prayer signifies the height of the Israelite kingdom's glory and establishes the Temple as the focal point of their national identity and spiritual life, reflecting a theology where God is both transcendent (in heaven) and accessible (through the Temple and prayer). The plea acknowledges that human justice is flawed because it only sees outward actions, whereas divine justice is perfect because it judges the hidden motivations of the heart.

2 Chronicles 6 30 Word analysis

• Then hear You: From the Hebrew, wəšāmāʿtā (וְשָׁמַעְתָּ), an imperative form expressing an earnest plea for God's active attention and response, not mere passive listening. It implies divine intervention in the affairs of humanity.
• from heaven: min-haššāmāyim (מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם). Refers to the transcendental abode of God, distinct from the earthly Temple. It highlights God's omnipresence and omnipotence, as His hearing and power extend beyond any physical structure. This emphasizes His supreme authority.
• Your dwelling place: məḵōn šivteḵā (מְכוֹן שִׁבְתֶּךָ). Literally "the place of your dwelling" or "established seat." It signifies God's fixed, eternal abode where His sovereignty is exercised. Even though the Temple is built for Him, it is recognized that His true "home" is beyond human construction.
• and forgive: wəsālaḥtā (וְסָלַחְתָּ). Implores God to extend His characteristic grace and pardon. Forgiveness (sālaḥ) is a foundational concept of the covenant relationship, where God mercifully cancels guilt, enabling reconciliation and restoration.
• and render to every man: wənnāttahtā lāʾîš (וְנָתַתָּה לָאִישׁ). "And you shall give to the man." This emphasizes divine retribution or just recompense. God's response includes both mercy and justice.
• according to all his ways: kəḵāl-dərāḵāw (כְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו). Refers to the totality of one's conduct, behavior, and course of life. This phrase suggests that God’s judgment is precise and aligned with actual deeds, encompassing outward actions.
• whose heart You know: ʾăšer ʾattāh yādaʿtā ʾeṯ-ləḇāḇô (אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ). This is a crucial theological statement. The "heart" (lēvāv) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions, but the entire inner person—intellect, will, intentions, character, conscience, and moral center. God's knowledge (yādaʿtā) is perfect, intuitive, and exhaustive, unlike human understanding which is limited.
• for You only know: kî-ʾattāh ləḇaddeḵā (כִּי־אַתָּה לְבַדְּךָ). Emphasizes the uniqueness and exclusivity of this divine attribute. No other being—human, angelic, or false deity—possesses such complete knowledge of the heart. This serves as a strong polemic against idol worship, as lifeless idols cannot know anything.
• the hearts of the children of men: ʾeṯ-ləḇaḇ bənê hāʾādāֽm (אֶת־לְבַב בְּנֵי הָאָדָם). This phrase generalizes God’s unique insight to all humanity ("sons of Adam"), underscoring the universal applicability of His perfect judgment based on inner realities. It highlights human limitation and God's boundless understanding of every individual.

2 Chronicles 6 30 Bonus section

• Parallelism and Emphasis: This verse is virtually identical to its counterpart in 1 Kings 8:39, underscoring its significant theological importance. The chronicler's inclusion of this prayer highlights God's nature and the central role of sincere heart-felt worship and repentance within Israel's covenant relationship, even in their restored life after exile.
• Heart as the Core: The Hebrew concept of "heart" (lēvāv) is far richer than just emotions. It's the central hub of one's being, encompassing intellect, will, reason, and moral character. Knowing the heart means knowing the person's true essence, their motives behind every action. This provides the basis for truly righteous judgment by God, as He assesses not just what is done, but why it is done.
• Counter-Cultural Statement: In a world where deities were often seen as localized to specific temples, potentially blind or deaf, and demanding external rituals, this verse presents a polemic. It showcases the God of Israel as omnipresent (hearing from heaven), omniscient (knowing hearts), and ultimately concerned with internal righteousness more than just outward observances, establishing Him as superior and uniquely able to administer perfect justice and offer true mercy.

2 Chronicles 6 30 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:30 forms a powerful core within Solomon's prayer of dedication for the Temple. It is a profound appeal to God's distinctive attributes: His transcendence, His omniscience, and His just-yet-merciful nature. Solomon recognizes that while the Temple serves as an earthly focal point for prayer, God's true dwelling is in heaven, from where He supernaturally hears the cries of His people. The verse establishes the critical basis for true divine judgment: it’s not based merely on outward appearance or spoken words, but on the secret thoughts, intentions, and motivations of the "heart"—the inner person that only God can fully comprehend. This unique divine capacity is the guarantee of perfectly righteous judgment ("render to every man according to all his ways"), which integrates both merited consequences for sin and the sovereign offer of forgiveness when repentance is genuine. The declaration, "for You only know the hearts of the children of men," sets YHWH apart from all human limitations and from all false gods, solidifying His unparalleled sovereignty and perfect moral authority in His dealings with humanity. It ensures that divine response is always appropriate because it is based on complete and unfailing insight into truth.