2 Chronicles 6:21

Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, [even] from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Hearken {H8085} therefore unto the supplications {H8469} of thy servant {H5650}, and of thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, which they shall make {H6419} toward this place {H4725}: hear {H8085} thou from thy dwelling {H3427} place {H4725}, even from heaven {H8064}; and when thou hearest {H8085}, forgive {H5545}.

Yes, listen to the pleas of your servant, and also those of your people Isra'el when they pray toward this place. Hear from where you live, from heaven; and when you hear, forgive!

Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

And hearken thou to the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal part of King Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. Recorded in 2 Chronicles 6, this prayer follows the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple (see 2 Chronicles 5:7) and the glorious manifestation of God's presence. Solomon stands before the altar, acknowledging God's faithfulness to His promises, particularly those made to his father, David. The prayer anticipates various scenarios where Israel might need to seek God's face – in defeat, famine, plague, or exile – and consistently asks God to hear their prayers directed towards this holy place and to grant forgiveness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Accessibility and Hearing Prayer: The core request is for God to "hearken unto the supplications." This emphasizes God's attentiveness and willingness to hear the prayers of His people, even from His exalted "dwelling place, even from heaven." It underscores the belief that God is not distant but intimately involved with His creation and responsive to earnest prayer.
  • The Importance of Supplication: The term "supplications" (Hebrew: teḥinnōṯ) implies humble, earnest, and often desperate pleas for mercy or favor. It highlights the posture of humility and dependence that God desires from His people when they approach Him.
  • God's Forgiveness: The culminating plea, "when thou hearest, forgive," is central. It reveals God's merciful character and His readiness to pardon sin when His people turn to Him in repentance. This promise of divine forgiveness is a cornerstone of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and it remains a vital truth for believers today.
  • The Temple as a Focal Point: While God's true dwelling is in heaven, the Temple served as a symbolic, physical point of reference for Israel's prayers. It was a place where they could direct their hearts and prayers, believing that God would especially manifest His presence and hear from there.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "supplications," teḥinnōṯ (תְּחִנּוֹת), often carries the nuance of a plea for mercy or favor, underscoring the humble and urgent nature of the requests being made. It's not a demand, but a fervent petition from a position of need. The phrase "dwelling place, even from heaven" (מְכוֹן שִׁבְתְּךָ מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם) emphasizes God's transcendence – His throne is in the heavens – yet simultaneously affirms His immanence, His ability and willingness to intervene on earth. The word "forgive" (סָלַח - sālaḥ) is a common biblical term for divine pardon, signifying a gracious act of overlooking or remitting sin, not based on human merit but on God's compassionate nature.

Practical Application

Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:21 offers profound encouragement for believers today. While we no longer pray towards a physical Temple in Jerusalem, the principle remains: God hears the prayers of His people. This verse reminds us that:

  • God is Accessible: We can approach God with our "supplications," knowing that He hears us from heaven. The New Testament teaches that through Christ, we have direct access to God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
  • Forgiveness is Available: The plea for forgiveness resonates deeply. God's character is one of mercy and pardon for those who genuinely repent and seek Him (1 John 1:9). This verse assures us that when we turn to Him, He is faithful to forgive.
  • Prayer is Powerful: This passage reinforces the power and importance of consistent prayer, especially in times of personal or national distress, repentance, and seeking divine intervention. It serves as a timeless model for how to approach God in humility and faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 7:18

    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.

  • Daniel 9:19

    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

  • Isaiah 43:25

    I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:39

    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.

  • Psalms 130:3

    If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

  • Psalms 130:4

    But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:27

    Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven.
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