2 Chronicles 6 32

2 Chronicles 6:32 kjv

Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;

2 Chronicles 6:32 nkjv

"Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple;

2 Chronicles 6:32 niv

"As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm?when they come and pray toward this temple,

2 Chronicles 6:32 esv

"Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house,

2 Chronicles 6:32 nlt

"In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands when they hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple,

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 32 Meaning

This verse is part of Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple, where he petitions God to hear the prayers of non-Israelite foreigners. These individuals are described as being drawn from distant lands specifically by God's great reputation and demonstrated power. Solomon requests that when these strangers come to pray in the Temple, God would respond, thereby extending His glory and name throughout all peoples of the earth.

2 Chronicles 6 32 Context

2 Chronicles 6:32 is found within Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. Following the Ark of the Covenant's placement and the manifestation of God's glory, Solomon stands before the altar and prays to God (2 Chr 6:12ff). His prayer acknowledges God's covenant faithfulness and requests His continued presence and responsiveness to the prayers offered in the Temple under various circumstances—war, famine, plague, sin, etc. This specific verse (v.32) represents a pivotal extension of his prayer, moving beyond the welfare of Israel to encompass non-Israelites who would seek God. This expansive vision suggests a theological understanding that God's sovereignty and His invitation to worship extend beyond His chosen nation, aligning with a future global reach of God's redemptive plan.

2 Chronicles 6 32 Word analysis

• Moreover concerning: This introductory phrase indicates an addition to or expansion of the preceding points, shifting the focus from the particular concerns of Israel to a broader, more universal scope.
• stranger (נָכְרִי - nokri): This Hebrew term denotes a foreign person, not merely a temporary resident or sojourner (ger) within Israel, but one from a foreign land or nation. It emphasizes a complete outsider, making Solomon's inclusion remarkably forward-thinking.
• which is not of thy people Israel: This phrase clarifies the identity of the "stranger" and reinforces their distinction from the covenant community, highlighting the universal nature of God's potential reach.
• but is come from a far country: This specifies the origin, underscoring the genuine effort and intentional journey of these foreigners. Their arrival is not by chance but by design, demonstrating deep conviction.
• for thy great name's sake (שְׁמֶךָ הַגָּדוֹל - shimkha hagadol): Refers to God's renowned reputation, His inherent character, and His revealed glory known abroad. It implies that the fame of Israel's God, rather than Israel's power, is the magnet.
• and thy mighty hand (יָדְךָ הַחֲזָקָה - yadkha ha-chazaqa): Symbolizes God's active, demonstrated power, often associated with His acts of deliverance, particularly the Exodus. Foreigners recognize divine power beyond human capabilities.
• and thy stretched out arm (וּזְרֹעֲךָ הַנְּטוּיָה - u-z'ro'akha ha-n'tuya): A parallel expression to "mighty hand," also signifying God's active strength, authority, and protective reach. It illustrates the far-reaching nature of His powerful interventions.
• when they shall come and pray in this house: "Come" denotes a conscious, deliberate journey toward God's dwelling. "Pray in this house" signifies a purposeful act of seeking God through worship and supplication in the designated sacred space—the Temple. This is an act of faith.

Words-group analysis

• "the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel": This group of words immediately identifies the unique subject of this petition—an individual outside the covenant nation. It sets up the inclusive nature of the prayer.
• "from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm": This comprehensive phrase describes the motivations for the stranger's journey. It reveals that the true drawing power is not Israelite might or charm, but the self-revealed glory, fame, and historical, powerful acts of God Himself.
• "when they shall come and pray in this house": This highlights the ultimate action of faith and worship—the intentional pilgrimage and the offering of prayer at God's sacred dwelling, making the Temple a place of universal divine-human encounter.

2 Chronicles 6 32 Bonus section

This particular verse suggests a prophetic understanding of God's global redemptive purpose, far exceeding the initial, exclusive focus on Israel often perceived in the Old Covenant. It stands as a theological bridge between the specific calling of Israel and the ultimate inclusion of all nations in God's plan of salvation. The emphasis on God's "great name," "mighty hand," and "stretched out arm" points back to the Exodus as a pivotal historical event that revealed God's power to the nations, drawing them in due time. This deep desire in Solomon's heart aligns with the Great Commission, as believers are now called to share the good news, proclaiming God's mighty name to the world, thereby continuing the legacy of drawing outsiders to "pray in His house," which is now the global Church (Eph 2:19-22).

2 Chronicles 6 32 Commentary

Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:32 articulates a remarkably universal vision for the Temple and God's interaction with humanity. Unlike common ancient Near Eastern practices where gods were often limited to specific nations, Solomon's request anticipates foreigners being drawn to Yahweh, the God of Israel, based on His intrinsic glory and mighty works, not on the political or military strength of Israel. This foresight extends the purpose of the Temple beyond Israel's national borders, making it a "house of prayer for all nations" (Isa 56:7). The foreigners are motivated by the true, revealed God and seek Him out through a genuine act of coming and praying. This vision prefigures the New Testament fulfillment of Gentiles being incorporated into the people of God through Christ, demonstrating that God's salvific plan always embraced the entire world, reaching "all the ends of the earth" (Ps 22:27). This serves as an eternal example that genuine worship transcends all human divisions.