2 Chronicles 6:23

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

Then hear {H8085} thou from heaven {H8064}, and do {H6213}, and judge {H8199} thy servants {H5650}, by requiting {H7725} the wicked {H7563}, by recompensing {H5414} his way {H1870} upon his own head {H7218}; and by justifying {H6663} the righteous {H6662}, by giving {H5414} him according to his righteousness {H6666}.

then hear from heaven, act and judge your servants, paying back the wicked, so that his way of life devolves on his own head, and vindicating the one who is right, giving him what his righteousness deserves.

then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, requiting the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 6:23 (KJV)

This verse is part of King Solomon's magnificent dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Here, Solomon appeals to God's divine justice, asking Him to intervene in disputes among His people, specifically when one individual wrongs another.

Context

King Solomon's prayer, recorded in 2 Chronicles chapter 6, is a profound theological statement acknowledging God's omnipresence and His willingness to dwell among His people. The prayer covers various scenarios where Israel might need divine intervention, from war and famine to individual disputes. Verse 23 addresses a specific legal or moral conflict where a wicked person has wronged a righteous one, and Solomon implores God to act as the ultimate judge, knowing the truth hidden from human eyes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice: The core request is for God to exercise His perfect justice. Solomon recognizes that human courts may fail, but God sees and knows all, making Him the ultimate arbiter. This underscores the belief that God judges the world in righteousness.
  • Retribution and Vindication: The verse clearly articulates the principle of divine recompense. The wicked are to be punished according to their deeds ("recompensing his way upon his own head"), while the righteous are to be vindicated and rewarded according to their integrity. This reflects a fundamental biblical truth about God's character.
  • God's Omniscience: Implicit in Solomon's plea is the understanding that God knows the hearts and intentions of all people, even when human evidence is lacking. Only God can truly "judge thy servants" by discerning who is wicked and who is righteous, as He looks at the heart, not outward appearance.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head": This strong idiom emphasizes that the consequences of one's actions will inevitably fall back upon the perpetrator. It signifies a direct and just divine retribution for wrongdoing, a principle seen throughout scripture.
  • "Justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness": To "justify" here means to declare or show as righteous or innocent. It speaks to God's act of upholding the integrity and innocence of the wronged party, providing them with the appropriate blessing or outcome that aligns with their uprightness.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 6:23 offers profound comfort and a solemn warning:

  • Trust in God's Ultimate Justice: When facing injustice or seeing wrongdoing seemingly unpunished, this verse reminds us that God is the ultimate judge. We can trust that He sees all and will, in His perfect timing and manner, bring about true justice, as Paul reminds us that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
  • Encouragement for the Righteous: Those who strive to live righteously, even when suffering unjustly, can be encouraged that God knows their heart and will ultimately vindicate them. Their righteousness will not go unnoticed or unrewarded by the divine judge.
  • Warning for the Wicked: The verse serves as a powerful reminder that there are consequences for wickedness. One cannot escape God's scrutiny, and the path of unrighteousness will ultimately lead to a reckoning.
  • Importance of Prayer: Solomon's prayer teaches us to bring our petitions for justice and discernment before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and ability to intervene in human affairs.

This verse, deeply rooted in Solomon's prayer for the Temple, continues to resonate as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to righteousness and justice in the world.

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

  • Romans 2:9

    Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

  • Romans 2:10

    But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

  • Isaiah 3:10

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Ezekiel 18:20

    The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

  • Proverbs 17:15

    ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 51:56

    Because the spoiler is come upon her, [even] upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
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