2 Chronicles 6:29

KJV

[Then] what prayer [or] what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then what prayer {H8605} or what supplication {H8467} soever shall be made of any man {H120}, or of all thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, when every one {H376} shall know {H3045} his own sore {H5061} and his own grief {H4341}, and shall spread forth {H6566} his hands {H3709} in this house {H1004}:

Complete Jewish Bible

then, regardless of what prayer or plea anyone among all your people Isra'el makes -for each individual will know his own plague and his own pain -and the person spreads out his hands toward this house;

Berean Standard Bible

then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple—

American Standard Version

what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 6:29 captures a pivotal moment in King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the Jerusalem Temple, articulating a profound vision for the future where both individuals and the entire nation of Israel, burdened by personal "sore" and "grief," would instinctively turn to God in earnest supplication within His newly consecrated dwelling. This verse profoundly underscores the Temple's foundational role as a sacred space for intimate, honest confession and corporate appeal to a compassionate God, anticipating His divine response to their deepest afflictions and reinforcing the covenantal promise of divine attentiveness to a repentant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Solomon's extensive dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple, a prayer that spans [2 Chronicles 6:12-42](/2_chronicles/6-12 "2 Chronicles 6:12-42 - Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer"). Following the consecration of the magnificent structure, Solomon systematically outlines its intended purpose as the central locus for Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. He anticipates a spectrum of future national and personal calamities—ranging from defeat in battle ([2 Chronicles 6:24-25](/2_chronicles/6-24 "2 Chronicles 6:24-25 - Prayer for Deliverance in War")) and natural disasters like drought ([2 Chronicles 6:26-27](/2_chronicles/6-26 "2 Chronicles 6:26-27 - Prayer for Relief from Drought")) to famine and plague—and repeatedly casts the Temple as the designated place where the people would come to seek God's face. Verse 29 specifically broadens the scope from these more specific national crises to encompass the encompassing reality of individual and corporate human suffering, emphasizing that even deeply personal struggles would drive individuals or the nation to prayer, thereby highlighting the comprehensive scope of God's attentiveness to His people's cries.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction and dedication of the Temple under King Solomon represented a zenith in Israel's history, symbolizing God's permanent dwelling among His people and solidifying Jerusalem as the religious and political capital. This period, often regarded as Israel's Golden Age, saw the culmination of David's fervent desire to build a "house" for the Lord. Culturally, the Temple was far more than a mere edifice; it was the tangible representation of God's covenant presence, the unique place where sacrifices were offered, and where the divine name resided, serving as the central hub of Israelite worship and national identity. The act of "spreading forth hands" was a universally recognized posture of earnest prayer, supplication, and humility in the ancient Near East, signifying an open and desperate appeal to a deity. Solomon's prayer profoundly reflects the covenantal understanding that obedience would bring blessing, while disobedience would result in affliction; yet, even in affliction, a clear path to restoration through repentance and prayer to God in His Temple was provided, a promise powerfully echoed in the divine response of [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Hear and Heal").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the **Temple as the focal point of divine-human encounter**, serving as the designated place where God's presence was uniquely manifested and where His people could directly appeal to Him, thus establishing a tangible connection point between heaven and earth. Secondly, it underscores the **comprehensive nature of prayer**, encompassing both deeply personal cries ("any man") and the collective needs of the nation ("all thy people Israel"), thereby demonstrating God's meticulous attentiveness to both individual suffering and corporate distress. Thirdly, the evocative phrase "when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief" emphasizes the theme of **honest confession and self-awareness** as a non-negotiable prerequisite for genuine prayer; it is a profound call to acknowledge one's true condition, whether physical affliction, emotional anguish, or spiritual brokenness, before God. Finally, the act of "spreading forth his hands" embodies the theme of **earnest supplication and humble dependence** on God, a posture of seeking divine intervention and mercy in times of profound need, reinforcing the covenantal expectation that God would indeed hear from heaven and act on behalf of His people when they turned to Him in sincerity, as seen in the broader context of [2 Chronicles 6](/2_chronicles/6 "2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** From H5061, this term broadly refers to a "blow," "infliction," "plague," "wound," or "spot." In biblical contexts, it often carries the connotation of a severe physical or spiritual condition, sometimes implying a divinely sent malady, such as leprosy (e.g., [Leviticus 13:2](/leviticus/13-2 "Leviticus 13:2 - Law Concerning Leprosy")). Here, it signifies a deep, often painful, external affliction or a severe physical condition that prompts an individual to seek divine intervention.
* **grief (Hebrew, _makʼôb'_):** From H4341, this word denotes "anguish," "pain," or "sorrow." Unlike _negaʻ'_, which can be an external affliction, _makʼôb'_ more frequently refers to internal, emotional, or spiritual distress and anguish. Together with "sore," it paints a comprehensive picture of human suffering—physical, emotional, and spiritual—that drives individuals to God in desperate need.
* **spread forth his hands (Hebrew, _pâras yadaw'_):** This phrase combines H6566 (_pâras_, "to break apart, disperse, spread forth") and H3709 (_kaph_, "the hollow hand or palm"). It describes a common and highly symbolic posture of prayer in the ancient world and throughout the Bible (e.g., [1 Kings 8:22](/1_kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22 - Solomon's Prayer Posture")). This gesture signifies earnest supplication, humility, dependence, and an open appeal to God for help and mercy, serving as an outward expression of an inward spiritual posture of surrender and desperate longing for divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel":** This opening clause establishes the comprehensive and inclusive scope of God's attentiveness. Solomon envisions a future where both the individual ("any man," H120, H376) and the collective body of believers ("all thy people Israel," H5971, H3478) will bring their petitions before God. The pairing of "prayer" (H8605, general communication) and "supplication" (H8467, earnest entreaty) emphasizes the depth and variety of appeals God is willing to hear, highlighting His personal care for each individual within the community, as well as His concern for the nation as a whole.
* **"when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief":** This crucial phrase points to the prerequisite for genuine, heartfelt prayer: a profound and honest self-awareness of one's condition. "Sore" (H5061) and "grief" (H4341) represent the full spectrum of human suffering—physical ailments, emotional anguish, spiritual brokenness, or the consequences of sin. The emphasis on "his own" underscores the deeply personal nature of this recognition; it's not a superficial acknowledgment but an intimate understanding of one's unique affliction (H3045, "know") that drives one to God. This implies a posture of humility and vulnerability, recognizing one's true need.
* **"and shall spread forth his hands in this house":** This final clause describes the physical posture of earnest prayer and specifies the sacred location. "Spreading forth his hands" (H6566, H3709) is a powerful symbolic gesture of earnest appeal, humility, and complete dependence on God, an act of opening oneself to receive divine mercy. The phrase "in this house" (H1004) explicitly identifies the newly dedicated Temple as the consecrated space where such prayers are to be directed, serving as the physical focal point for the covenant people's appeals to their God, who promised to hear from heaven.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 6:29 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured in the pairing of "prayer" and "supplication," "any man" and "all thy people Israel," and "sore" and "grief." This structural repetition serves to emphasize the comprehensive and inclusive nature of the appeal, reinforcing the idea that God's ear is open to all forms of earnest entreaty, whether from individuals or the collective. **Anticipation** is a key device throughout Solomon's prayer, as he prophetically foresees various future scenarios of distress and outlines the appropriate response of turning to the Temple. This verse, in particular, anticipates the universal human experience of suffering as a catalyst for seeking God. The profound **Symbolism** of the Temple as the dwelling place of God's name and the designated conduit for prayer is central, representing God's accessibility and His unwavering willingness to interact with His people. Furthermore, the physical act of "spreading forth his hands" is a powerful symbolic gesture of humility, desperation, and earnest supplication, conveying a profound spiritual posture through a tangible action. The language also exhibits **Inclusivity**, encompassing "any man" and "all thy people Israel," demonstrating God's universal concern for humanity within the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is intimately concerned with the suffering of His people, both individually and corporately. It establishes the Temple as the primary locus for seeking divine intervention, not as a magical conduit, but as the designated place where God's name dwells and where He has promised to hear. The emphasis on "knowing his own sore and his own grief" highlights the biblical principle that genuine prayer often flows from honest self-awareness and humble confession of one's true condition, whether it be physical affliction, emotional distress, or the weight of sin. This divine invitation to bring our deepest pains and struggles before God underscores His compassion and accessibility, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that God is a refuge and strength, ever present in trouble, and that His ears are open to the cries of the righteous.

* [1 Kings 8:38](/1_kings/8-38 "Solomon's Prayer for Individual and Corporate Distress")
* [Psalm 32:5](/psalm/32-5 "Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Psalm 141:2](/psalm/141-2 "Prayer as Incense, Lifted Hands as Evening Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands, the profound spiritual principles embedded in 2 Chronicles 6:29 remain eternally relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful invitation to bring our deepest "sores" and "griefs"—our personal pains, anxieties, struggles, and even our sins—into the presence of God with complete honesty and vulnerability. It reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent to our suffering; rather, He desires for us to acknowledge our true condition and turn to Him in earnest supplication. The act of "spreading forth hands" encourages us to adopt a posture of humility, surrender, and complete dependence, recognizing that our help comes from Him alone. In an age where superficiality often pervades, this verse calls us to a deeper, more authentic communion with God, assuring us that our heartfelt prayers, born from genuine need, are heard by a compassionate Father who cares for His children and is eager to respond.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sore" or "grief" in your life are you currently holding back from God, and how might acknowledging it honestly transform your prayer?**
* **In what ways can you adopt a posture of greater humility and dependence ("spreading forth your hands") in your personal prayer life?**
* **How does the understanding that God cares for both individual and corporate suffering impact your prayers for yourself, your community, and the world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "sore" and "grief" in this context?**

Answer: The terms "sore" (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_) and "grief" (Hebrew, _makʼôb'_) are strategically chosen to represent the full spectrum of human suffering. "Sore" often refers to external afflictions, wounds, or plagues, sometimes with the implication of divine judgment (e.g., the laws concerning skin diseases in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Laws Concerning Skin Diseases")). "Grief," on the other hand, typically denotes internal pain, sorrow, and anguish. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. Their significance lies in highlighting that God is concerned with every dimension of human suffering, and that true prayer often arises from a deep, honest recognition of these profound personal and collective burdens. It's an invitation to bring our whole selves, with all our brokenness, before God.

**Why is the act of "spreading forth hands" emphasized?**

Answer: The act of "spreading forth hands" (Hebrew, _pâras yadaw'_) is a deeply symbolic and common posture of prayer throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 28:2](/psalm/28-2 "Lifting Hands in Prayer")). It signifies earnest supplication, humility, and complete dependence upon God. It is a gesture of opening oneself to receive divine mercy and intervention, acknowledging one's inability to solve the problem alone and appealing directly to a higher power. In the context of the Temple, it was a visible expression of the worshiper's sincere desire to connect with God and lay their burdens before Him, demonstrating a heart ready to receive His response and a posture of surrender to His will.

**Does this verse imply that prayer is only effective in a physical temple?**

Answer: While 2 Chronicles 6:29 specifically mentions "this house" (the Temple), the underlying principle is about seeking God in His designated presence. For ancient Israel, the Temple was the unique place where God's name dwelt and where He promised to hear their prayers. However, the New Testament reveals a profound fulfillment and expansion of this concept. Through Jesus Christ, believers are now the "temple" of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and the church collectively is built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones, Spiritual House")). Therefore, while the physical Temple no longer stands, the principle of bringing our "sores" and "griefs" to God in His presence remains. We now have direct access to God's throne of grace through Christ ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), making every place a potential "house of prayer" where our supplications are heard.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The longing expressed in 2 Chronicles 6:29 for a designated place where God's people could bring their "sores" and "griefs" finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, magnificent as it was, served as a profound foreshadowing of the true dwelling place of God among humanity. Jesus Himself declared that something "greater than the temple" was present in Him ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Something Greater Than the Temple")), and ultimately, He is the complete embodiment of God's presence, the very Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He is our Great High Priest who perfectly knows and sympathizes with our "sores" and "griefs," having Himself experienced the full depth of human suffering, temptation, and sorrow without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, the veil of the Temple was miraculously torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct and unhindered access to God is no longer limited by a physical structure or a priestly mediator, but is now open to all who come to the Father through Him ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, The Way, The Truth, The Life")). Our prayers, offered in the name of Jesus, are heard not because of a building, but because of His perfect intercession and the indwelling Holy Spirit within us, making us, individually and corporately, the living temples of God ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the yearning for a place to lay down our burdens is fully satisfied in Christ, who is our ever-present sanctuary, our compassionate High Priest, and the ultimate answer to every prayer and supplication.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Psalms 33:12

¶ Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalms 33:13

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

2 Chronicles 6:12

¶ And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:

2 Chronicles 6:13

For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

Psalms 142:1

¶ Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

Psalms 142:2

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.