2 Chronicles 6
6
1 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he lives in thick darkness. 2 O Lord,#tn The words “O Lord” do not appear in the Hebrew text, but they are supplied in the translation for clarification; Solomon addresses the Lord in prayer at this point. I have built a lofty temple for you, a place where you can live permanently.” 3 Then the king turned around#tn Heb “turned his face.” and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there.#tn Heb “and he blessed all the assembly of Israel, and all the assembly of Israel was standing.” 4 He said, “The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because he has fulfilled#tn The Hebrew text reads, “fulfilled by his hand,” but the phrase “by his hand” is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. what he promised#tn The Hebrew text reads, “promised by his mouth,” but the phrase “by his mouth” is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. my father David. 5 He told David,#tn Heb “saying.” ‘Since the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple in which to live.#tn Heb “to build a house for my name to be there.” Here “name” is used by metonymy for the Lord himself, and thus the expression “to be there” refers to his taking up residence there (hence the translation, “a temple in which to live”). In this case the temple is referred to as a “house” where the Lord himself can reside. Nor did I choose a man as leader of my people Israel. 6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem as a place to live,#tn Heb for my name to be there.” See also the note on the word “live” in v. 5. and I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’ 7 Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel.#tn Heb “and it was with the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.”sn On the significance of the Lord’s “name,” see the note on the word “live” in v. 5. 8 The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me.#tn Heb “Because it was with your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was with your heart.” 9 But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’#tn Heb “your son, the one who came out of your body, he will build the temple for my name.” 10 The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David’s place and have occupied the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built this temple for the honor of the Lord God of Israel 11 and set up in it a place for the ark containing the covenant the Lord made with the Israelites.”
12 He stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had made a bronze platform and had placed it in the middle of the enclosure. It was seven and one-half feet#tn Heb “five cubits.” Assuming a cubit of 18 inches (45 cm), the length would have been 7.5 feet (2.25 m). long, seven and one-half feet#tn Heb “five cubits.” wide, and four and one-half feet#tn Heb “three cubits.” Assuming a cubit of 18 inches (45 cm), the height would have been 4.5 feet (1.35 m). high. He stood on it and then got down on his knees in front of the entire assembly of Israel. He spread out his hands toward the sky, 14 and prayed:#tn Heb “said.” “O Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth! You maintain covenantal loyalty#tn Heb “one who keeps the covenant and the loyal love.” to your servants who obey you with sincerity.#tn Heb “who walk before you with all their heart.” 15 You have kept your word to your servant, my father David;#tn Heb “[you] who kept to your servant David my father that which you spoke to him.” this very day you have fulfilled what you promised.#tn Heb “you spoke by your mouth and by your hand you fulfilled, as this day.” 16 Now, O Lord God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant, my father David, when you said, ‘You will never fail to have a successor ruling before me on the throne of Israel,#tn Heb “there will not be cut off from you a man from before me sitting on the throne of Israel.” provided that your descendants watch their step and obey my law as you have done.’#tn Heb “guard their way by walking in my law as you have walked before me.” 17 Now, O Lord God of Israel, may the promise you made to your servant David be realized.#tn Or “prove to be reliable.”
18 “God does not really live with humankind on the earth!#tn Heb “Indeed, can God really live with mankind on the earth?” The rhetorical question expects the answer, “Of course not,” the force of which is reflected in the translation “God does not really live with mankind on the earth.” Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built! 19 But respond favorably to#tn Heb “turn to.” your servant’s prayer and his request for help, O Lord my God. Answer#tn Heb “by listening to.” the desperate prayer#tn Heb “the loud cry and the prayer.” your servant is presenting to you.#tn Heb “praying before you.” 20 Night and day may you watch over this temple, the place where you promised you would live.#tn Heb “so your eyes might be open toward this house night and day, toward the place about which you said, ‘My name will be there.’” May you answer your servant’s prayer for this place.#tn Heb “by listening to the prayer which your servant is praying concerning this place.” 21 Respond to the requests of your servant and your people Israel for this place.#tn Heb “listen to the requests of your servant and your people Israel which they are praying concerning this place.” Hear from your heavenly dwelling place and respond favorably and forgive.#tn Heb “hear and forgive.”
22 “When someone is accused of sinning against his neighbor and the latter pronounces a curse on the alleged offender before your altar in this temple,#tn Heb “and if the man who sins against his neighbor when one takes up against him a curse to curse him and the curse comes before your altar in this house.” 23 listen from heaven and make a just decision about your servants’ claims. Condemn the guilty party, declare the other innocent, and give both of them what they deserve.#tn Heb “and you, hear [from] heaven and act and judge your servants by repaying the guilty, to give his way on his head, and to declare the innocent to be innocent, to give to him according to his innocence.”
24 “If your people Israel are defeated by an enemy#tn Or “are struck down before an enemy.” because they sinned against you, then if they come back to you, renew their allegiance to you,#tn Heb “confess [or perhaps, “praise”] your name.” and pray for your help#tn Heb “and they pray and ask for help.” before you in this temple, 25 then listen from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.#tn Heb “fathers” (also in vv. 31, 38).
26 “The time will come when#tn Heb “when.” In the Hebrew text vv. 26-27a actually contain one lengthy conditional sentence, which the translation has divided into two sentences for stylistic reasons. the skies#tn Or “heavens” (also in v. 12). The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context. are shut up tightly and no rain falls because your people#tn Heb “they.” sinned against you. When they direct their prayers toward this place, renew their allegiance to you,#tn Heb “confess [or perhaps, “praise”] your name.” and turn away from their sin because you punish#tn The Hebrew text reads “because you answer them,” as if the verb is from עָנָה (’anah, “answer”). However, this reference to a divine answer is premature, since the next verse asks for God to intervene in mercy. It is better to revocalize the consonantal text as תְעַנֵּם (tÿ’annem, “you afflict them”), a Piel verb form from the homonym עָנָה (“afflict”). them, 27 then listen from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Certainly#tn The present translation understands כִּי (ki) in an emphatic or asseverative sense (“Certainly”). Other translation have “indeed” (NASB), “when” (NRSV), “so” (NEB), or leave the word untranslated (NIV). you will then teach them the right way to live#tn Heb “the good way in which they should walk.” and send rain on your land that you have given your people to possess.#tn Or “for an inheritance.”
28 “The time will come when the land suffers from a famine, a plague, blight, and disease, or a locust#tn Actually two Hebrew words appear here, both of which are usually (but not always) taken as referring to locusts. Perhaps different stages of growth or different varieties are in view, but this is uncertain. NEB has “locusts new-sloughed or fully grown”; NASB has “locust or grasshopper”; NIV has “locusts or grasshoppers”; NRSV has “locust, or caterpillar.” invasion, or when their enemy lays siege to the cities of the land,#tn Heb “in the land, his gates.” or when some other type of plague or epidemic occurs. 29 When all your people Israel pray and ask for help,#tn Heb “every prayer, every request for help which will be to all the people, to all your people Israel.” as they acknowledge their intense pain#tn Heb “which they know, each his pain and his affliction.” and spread out their hands toward this temple, 30 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin,#tn The words “their sin” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied for clarification. and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of their motives.#tn Heb “and act and give to each one according to all his ways because you know his heart.” In the Hebrew text vv. 28-30a actually contain one lengthy conditional sentence, which the translation has divided up for stylistic reasons. (Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)#tn Heb “Indeed you know, you alone, the heart of all the sons of mankind.” 31 Then they will honor#tn Heb “fear.” you by obeying you#tn Heb “by walking in your ways.” throughout their lifetimes as#tn Heb “all the days [in] which.” they live on the land you gave to our ancestors.
32 “Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your great reputation#tn Heb “your great name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor (thus the translation here, “your great reputation”). and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds;#tn Heb “and your strong hand and your outstretched arm.” they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple. 33 Then listen from your heavenly dwelling place and answer all the prayers of the foreigners.#tn Heb “and do all which the foreigner calls to [i.e., “requests of”] you.” Then all the nations of the earth will acknowledge your reputation,#tn Heb “name.” See the note on “reputation” in v. 32. obey#tn Heb “fear.” you like your people Israel do, and recognize that this temple I built belongs to you.#tn Heb “that your name is called over this house which I built.” The Hebrew idiom “call the name over” indicates ownership. See 2 Sam 12:28.
34 “When you direct your people to march out and fight their enemies,#tn Heb “When your people go out for battle against their enemies in the way which you send them.” and they direct their prayers to you toward this chosen city and this temple I built for your honor,#tn Heb “toward this city which you have chosen and the house which I built for your name.” 35 then listen from heaven to their prayers for help#tn Heb “their prayer and their request for help.” and vindicate them.#tn Heb “and accomplish their justice.”
36 “The time will come when your people#tn Heb “they”; the referent (God’s people) has been specified in the translation for clarity. will sin against you (for there is no one who is sinless!) and you will be angry at them and deliver them over to their enemies, who will take them as prisoners to their land, whether far away or close by. 37 When your people#tn Heb “they”; the referent (God’s people) has been specified in the translation for clarity. come to their senses#tn Or “stop and reflect”; Heb “bring back to their heart.” in the land where they are held prisoner, they will repent and beg for your mercy in the land of their imprisonment, admitting, ‘We have sinned and gone astray#tn Or “done wrong.”, we have done evil!’ 38 When they return to you with all their heart and being#tn Or “soul.” in the land where they are held prisoner and direct their prayers toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor,#tn Heb “your name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor (thus the translation here, “your honor”). 39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to their prayers for help,#tn Heb “their prayer and their requests for help.” vindicate them,#tn Heb “and accomplish their justice.” and forgive your sinful people.
40 “Now, my God, may you be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place.#tn Heb “May your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.” 41 Now ascend, O Lord God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength! May your priests, O Lord God, experience your deliverance!#tn Heb “be clothed with deliverance.” May your loyal followers rejoice in the prosperity you give!#tn Heb “and may your loyal ones rejoice in good.” 42 O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones!#tc Heb “do not turn away the face of your anointed ones.” Many medieval Hebrew mss, as well as the ancient versions, read the singular, “your anointed,” which would probably refer to Solomon specifically, rather than the people. Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!”
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2 Chronicles 6: NET
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1996 - 2007 by Biblical Studies Press, LLC
2 Chronicles 6
6
1Then Salomon sayd, The Lord hath sayde that he would dwell in the darke cloude: 2And I haue built thee an house to dwell in, an habitation for thee to dwell in for euer. 3And the King turned his face, and blessed all the Congregation of Israel (for all the Congregation of Israel stoode there) 4And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spake with his mouth vnto Dauid my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, 5Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no citie of al the tribes of Israel to buylde an house, that my Name might be there, neyther chose I any man to be a ruler ouer my people Israel: 6But I haue chosen Ierusalem, that my Name might be there, and haue chosen Dauid to be ouer my people Israel. 7And it was in the heart of Dauid my father to builde an house vnto the Name of the Lord God of Israel, 8But the Lord sayde to Dauid my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to buylde an house vnto my Name, thou diddest well, that thou wast so minded. 9Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house, but thy sonne which shall come out of thy loynes, he shall buylde an house vnto my Name. 10And the Lord hath performed his worde that he spake: and I am risen vp in the roume of Dauid my father, and am set on the throne of Israel as the Lord promised, and haue built an house to the Name of the Lord God of Israel. 11And I haue set the Arke there, wherein is the couenant of the Lord, that he made with the children of Israel. 12And the King stoode before the altar of the Lord, in the presence of all the Congregation of Israel, and stretched out his hands, 13(For Salomon had made a brasen skaffold and set it in the middes of the court, of fiue cubites long, and fiue cubites broade, and three cubites of height, and vpon it he stoode, and kneeled downe vpon his knees before all the Congregation of Israel, and stretched out his hands toward heauen) 14And sayd, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heauen nor in earth, which keepest couenant, and mercie vnto thy seruants, that walke before thee with all their heart. 15Thou that hast kept with thy seruant Dauid my father, that thou hast promised him: for thou spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as appeareth this day. 16Therefore now Lord God of Israel, keepe with thy seruant Dauid my father, that thou hast promised him, saying, Thou shalt not want a man in my sight, that shall sit vpon the throne of Israel: so that thy sonnes take heede to their wayes, to walke in my Lawe, as thou hast walked before me. 17And now, O Lord God of Israel, let thy worde be verified, which thou spakest vnto thy seruant Dauid. 18(Is it true in deede that God will dwell with man on earth? beholde, the heauens, and the heauens of heauens are not able to conteine thee: how much more vnable is this house, which I haue buylt?) 19But haue thou respect to the prayer of thy seruant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to heare the crye and prayer which thy seruant prayeth before thee, 20That thine eyes may be open toward this house day and night, euen toward the place, whereof thou hast sayde, that thou wouldest put thy Name there, that thou mayest hearken vnto the prayer, which thy seruant prayeth in this place. 21Heare thou therefore the supplication of thy seruant, and of thy people Israel, which they pray in this place: and heare thou in the place of thine habitation, euen in heauen, and when thou hearest, be mercifull. 22When a man shall sinne against his neighbour, and he laye vpon him an othe to cause him to sweare, and the swearer shall come before thine altar in this house, 23Then heare thou in heauen, and doe, and iudge thy seruants, in recompensing the wicked to bring his way vpon his head, and in iustifying the righteous, to giue him according to his righteousnes. 24And when thy people Israel shalbe ouerthrowen before the enemie, because they haue sinned against thee, and turne againe, and confesse thy Name, and pray, and make supplication before thee in this house, 25Then heare thou in heauen, and be mercifull vnto the sinne of thy people Israel, and bring them againe vnto the land which thou gauest to them and to their fathers. 26When heauen shall be shut vp, and there shalbe no rayne, because they haue sinned against thee, and shall pray in this place, and confesse thy Name, and turne from their sinne, when thou doest afflict them, 27Then heare thou in heauen, and pardon the sinne of thy seruants, and of thy people Israel (when thou hast taught them the good way wherein they may walke) and giue rayne vpon thy lande, which thou hast giuen vnto thy people for an inheritance. 28When there shalbe famine in the land, when there shalbe pestilence, blasting, or mildew, when there shall be grashopper, or caterpiller, when their enemie shall besiege them in the cities of their land, or any plague or any sickenesse, 29Then what prayer and supplication so euer shalbe made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, whe euery one shall knowe his owne plague, and his owne disease, and shall stretch forth his hands toward this house, 30Heare thou then in heauen, thy dwelling place, and be merciful, and giue euery man according vnto all his wayes, as thou doest knowe his heart (for thou onely knowest the hearts of the children of men) 31That they may feare thee, and walke in thy wayes as long as they liue in the land which thou gauest vnto our fathers. 32Moreouer, as touching ye stranger which is not of thy people Israel, who shall come out of a farre countrey for thy great Names sake, and thy mighty hande, and thy stretched out arme: when they shall come and pray in this house, 33Heare thou in heauen thy dwelling place, and doe according to all that the stranger calleth for vnto thee, that all the people of the earth may knowe thy Name, and feare thee like thy people Israel, and that they may knowe, that thy Name is called vpon in this house which I haue built. 34When thy people shall goe out to battell against their enemies, by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray to thee, in the way towarde this citie, which thou hast chosen, euen toward the house which I haue built to thy Name, 35Then heare thou in heauen their prayer and their supplication, and iudge their cause. 36If they sinne against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not) and thou be angry with them and deliuer them vnto the enemies, and they take them and cary them away captiue vnto a land farre or neere, 37If they turne againe to their heart in the lande whither they be caryed in captiues, and turne and pray vnto thee in the lande of their captiuitie, saying, We haue sinned, we haue transgressed and haue done wickedly, 38If they turne againe to thee with all their heart, and with all their soule in the land of their captiuitie, whither they haue caryed them captiues, and pray toward their land, which thou gauest vnto their fathers, and toward the citie which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I haue built for thy Name, 39Then heare thou in heauen, in the place of thine habitation their prayer and their supplication, and iudge their cause, and be mercifull vnto thy people, which haue sinned against thee. 40Nowe my God, I beseech thee, let thine eyes be open, and thine eares attent vnto the prayer that is made in this place. 41Nowe therefore arise, O Lord God, to come into thy rest, thou, and the Arke of thy strength: O Lord God, let thy Priestes be clothed with saluation, and let thy Saints reioyce in goodnesse. 42O Lord God, refuse not the face of thine anoynted: remember the mercies promised to Dauid thy seruant.
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