Then hear thou from the heavens, [even] from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
Complete Jewish Bible:
then, from heaven, from where you live, hear their prayer and pleas, uphold their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
Berean Standard Bible:
then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.
American Standard Version:
then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 6:39
2 Chronicles 6:39 is part of King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This verse captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as Solomon entreats God to listen to the prayers of the people from His heavenly dwelling place. The historical context is the culmination of a significant national project, the construction of the First Temple, which was central to Israel's worship and religious life.
In this verse, Solomon emphasizes several key themes:
1. **Divine Hearing**: Solomon asks God to "hear from heaven," underscoring the belief that God is not confined to the Temple but rules from heaven, yet is attentive to the prayers of His people.
2. **Intercession**: The prayer acknowledges that the Temple is a place where the people can seek God's intervention. Solomon is essentially setting up the Temple as a conduit for the nation's petitions to God.
3. **Justice and Advocacy**: Solomon requests that God "maintain their cause," which implies a plea for divine justice and protection for the nation. It reflects the understanding that ultimately, their security and well-being are in God's hands.
4. **Forgiveness and Mercy**: The king implores God to forgive the sins of the people. This recognizes the reality of human fallibility and the need for divine grace. Solomon is aware that the people will sin and that their relationship with God depends on His willingness to forgive.
5. **Covenant Relationship**: The verse reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Solomon's words are an appeal to the promises God made to their ancestors, asking Him to uphold His part of the covenant by being merciful and just toward His people.
In summary, 2 Chronicles 6:39 encapsulates the essence of Solomon's prayer, highlighting the themes of divine attention, intercession, justice, forgiveness, and covenant faithfulness. It is a plea for God to be actively involved in the life of His people, responding to their prayers, advocating for their cause, and forgiving their transgressions. This verse is a testament to the depth of Israel's religious life and the centrality of the Temple in their relationship with God during the time of Solomon's reign.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H8085 There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁמַע Transliteration: shâmaʻ Pronunciation: shaw-mah' Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
Strong's Number: H8064 There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁמַיִם Transliteration: shâmayim Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).
Strong's Number: H3427 There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָשַׁב Transliteration: yâshab Pronunciation: yaw-shab' Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
Strong's Number: H4349 There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מָכוֹן Transliteration: mâkôwn Pronunciation: maw-kone' Description: from כּוּן; properly, a fixture, i.e. a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode; foundation, habitation, (dwelling-, settled) place.
Strong's Number: H8605 There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: תְּפִלָּה Transliteration: tᵉphillâh Pronunciation: tef-il-law' Description: from פָּלַל; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn; prayer.
Strong's Number: H8467 There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: תְּחִנָּה Transliteration: tᵉchinnâh Pronunciation: tekh-in-naw' Description: from חָנַן; graciousness; causatively, entreaty; favour, grace, supplication.
Strong's Number: H6213 There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָשָׂה Transliteration: ʻâsâh Pronunciation: aw-saw' Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
Strong's Number: H4941 There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט Transliteration: mishpâṭ Pronunciation: mish-pawt' Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
Strong's Number: H5545 There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: סָלַח Transliteration: çâlach Pronunciation: saw-lakh' Description: a primitive root; to forgive; forgive, pardon, spare.
Strong's Number: H5971 There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עַם Transliteration: ʻam Pronunciation: am Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
Strong's Number: H2398 There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: חָטָא Transliteration: châṭâʼ Pronunciation: khaw-taw' Description: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.