2 Chronicles 6:30

KJV

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

KJV (with Strong's)

Then hear {H8085} thou from heaven {H8064} thy dwelling {H3427} place {H4349}, and forgive {H5545}, and render {H5414} unto every man {H376} according unto all his ways {H1870}, whose heart {H3824} thou knowest {H3045};(for thou only knowest {H3045} the hearts {H3824} of the children {H1121} of men {H120}:)

Complete Jewish Bible

then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive; also, since you know what is in each one's heart, give each person what his conduct deserves (because you, and only you, know human hearts),

Berean Standard Bible

be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of men—

American Standard Version

then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men);

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 6:30 is a pivotal verse within King Solomon's profound prayer of dedication for the First Temple in Jerusalem. In this impassioned plea, Solomon appeals to God's unique and unparalleled omniscience, specifically His exclusive knowledge of the human heart. He petitions God to hear prayers from His heavenly dwelling, to extend forgiveness based on genuine repentance, and to administer perfect justice by rendering to each individual according to their true character and intentions, which only God can fully discern.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Solomon's magnificent prayer, meticulously recorded in [2 Chronicles 6](/2_chronicles/6 "2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"), delivered at the dedication of the newly completed Temple. The prayer itself follows the ark's placement in the Most Holy Place and the descent of God's glory, signifying His presence. Solomon's prayer is a series of conditional petitions, anticipating various future scenarios—defeat in battle, famine, plague, exile—where the people might turn to God in repentance. Each plea, including the one in [2 Chronicles 6:30](/2_chronicles/6-30 "2 Chronicles 6:30 - God Knows the Heart"), is predicated on the people's turning to God in prayer towards the Temple, seeking His intervention and forgiveness. This verse specifically addresses the fundamental basis upon which God can justly and mercifully respond: His perfect knowledge of the inner person, transcending outward appearances or mere ritual. The parallel account in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of the Temple") further illuminates the theological depth of this prayer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction and dedication of the First Temple marked a monumental epoch in Israelite history, fulfilling King David's long-held desire. It solidified Jerusalem as the spiritual and political nexus of the unified kingdom. The Temple was understood as God's dwelling place among His people, yet Solomon's prayer consistently affirms God's transcendence, emphasizing that "heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you" ([2 Chronicles 6:18](/2_chronicles/6-18 "2 Chronicles 6:18 - God's Transcendence")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often served as intercessors for their people, and Solomon's prayer exemplifies this role, appealing to the covenant God on behalf of Israel. The concept of the "heart" (Hebrew: *lev/levav*) was central to ancient Israelite anthropology, representing the totality of a person's inner being—their intellect, will, emotions, and moral core—far beyond a mere physical organ.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 6:30](/2_chronicles/6-30 "2 Chronicles 6:30 - God Knows the Heart") powerfully articulates several foundational theological themes. Foremost is **Divine Omniscience**, particularly God's unique and exhaustive knowledge of the human heart. Solomon's emphatic declaration, "for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men," underscores God's exclusive ability to discern true motives, intentions, and the deepest inclinations of humanity, a truth echoed in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - The Lord Looks at the Heart") and [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart"). This omniscience forms the basis for **God's Righteous Judgment**, ensuring that His rendering "unto every man according unto all his ways" is perfectly just, rooted in an infallible understanding of each individual's inner reality. Intertwined with justice is the theme of **Divine Forgiveness**, as Solomon pleads, "and forgive," highlighting God's mercy and willingness to pardon those who genuinely turn to Him. Finally, the verse speaks to **God's Accessibility**, despite His transcendence; though He dwells in heaven, He hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shama'_):** This verb signifies more than mere auditory perception; it implies attentive listening, understanding, and a willingness to respond or act upon what is heard. In the context of prayer, it denotes God's active engagement with the supplication, leading to a divine response. Solomon's plea for God to "hear" is thus a request for divine intervention and active responsiveness.
* **Forgive (Hebrew, _salach'_):** This specific Hebrew verb is almost exclusively used in the Old Testament to describe God's act of pardoning sin. It denotes the remission of guilt, the cleansing of iniquity, and the restoration of a right relationship. Solomon's petition for God to "forgive" acknowledges humanity's inherent sinfulness and God's unique prerogative and capacity to offer mercy and reconciliation.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lev/levav'_):** In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is not merely the physical organ but the comprehensive center of a person's inner being. It encompasses intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. It is the seat of one's true character, intentions, and motives. When Solomon states that God "only knowest the hearts," he emphasizes God's exclusive, exhaustive, and perfect understanding of human nature, discerning the deepest, hidden springs of action and thought that no human can fully perceive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place,"**: Solomon begins with an earnest invocation, appealing to God's transcendent nature. While the Temple is a designated place for prayer and God's manifest presence, Solomon acknowledges that God's ultimate and true "dwelling place" is heaven. This phrase underscores God's omnipresence and His ability to hear prayers from any location, emphasizing His uncontainable majesty and sovereignty.
* **"and forgive,"**: This is a direct, concise petition for divine mercy. Solomon, acting as an intercessor for his people, recognizes the pervasive reality of human sinfulness and the absolute necessity of God's pardon for restoration and continued covenant relationship. It is a plea for grace to overcome the consequences of human transgression.
* **"and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;"**: This clause articulates a request for divine justice. Solomon asks God to administer righteous recompense, not based on outward appearance or superficial actions, but on a perfect understanding of each individual's "ways"—their conduct, character, and intentions. The crucial qualifier, "whose heart thou knowest," provides the theological foundation for this justice, asserting that God's judgment is perfectly informed by His unique, infallible insight into the deepest motives and inner truth of every person.
* **"(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)"**: This parenthetical statement serves as the profound theological justification for the preceding plea. It is a declaration of God's exclusive and unparalleled omniscience concerning the human heart. No human being, no matter how perceptive, can truly know the inner workings, hidden motives, and secret thoughts of another, let alone all humanity. This divine prerogative makes God the sole, perfect, and ultimate judge and the only one capable of administering true justice and offering genuine forgiveness based on inner repentance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured, as Solomon directly addresses God ("hear thou," "forgive," "render"), creating a sense of intimacy and direct appeal to the divine. The phrase "whose heart thou knowest" is immediately followed by a **parenthesis** "(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)," which serves to emphasize and provide the theological rationale for God's unique ability to judge and forgive. This **repetition** of the concept of God knowing the heart underscores the central theme of divine omniscience as the basis for justice and mercy. The entire verse functions as a fervent **plea** or **supplication**, characteristic of a dedication prayer, highlighting humanity's dependence on divine insight and intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 6:30 stands as a profound declaration of God's omniscience and its direct implications for His justice and mercy. The truth that God "only knowest the hearts of the children of men" is foundational to understanding His righteous governance of the world. Unlike human judges who are limited to outward evidence, God's perfect knowledge of inner motives ensures that His judgments are always perfectly just and His forgiveness always genuinely applied to those whose hearts are truly repentant. This theological insight highlights the inadequacy of human self-assessment and the necessity of divine intervention for true spiritual transformation and accountability. It affirms that God's dealings with humanity are not arbitrary but are rooted in His comprehensive understanding of our deepest being, offering both comfort in His perfect justice and a call to sincere introspection.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - The Lord Looks at the Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 6:30 offers timeless truths for believers today, inviting us into a deeper understanding of God's character and our relationship with Him. Knowing that God sees beyond our outward actions to the true condition of our hearts calls us to cultivate genuine sincerity in our prayers and worship. It reminds us that our motives matter profoundly to God, challenging us to align our inner desires and intentions with His will, not merely to conform to external religious practices. This verse provides immense comfort in a world where justice often seems elusive or imperfect; we can rest assured that God's judgment is absolutely righteous because He possesses perfect and complete knowledge of every individual's heart. It also serves as a powerful call to humility and introspection, prompting us to acknowledge that only God truly knows the depths of our hearts, and therefore, we must continually seek His cleansing, guidance, and transformation from within.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God "only knowest the hearts of the children of men" impact your approach to prayer and worship?**
* **In what ways does knowing God sees your true motives, not just your actions, challenge or comfort you?**
* **How does God's perfect knowledge of the heart ensure His justice and mercy are always perfectly balanced?**

### FAQ
**Why does Solomon emphasize that God "only" knows the hearts of men?**

Answer: Solomon emphasizes that God "only" knows the hearts of men to highlight God's unique, unparalleled omniscience. No human, no matter how insightful, can fully comprehend another's inner motives, let alone the true intentions and character of all humanity. This exclusivity underscores God's perfect ability to judge and forgive righteously, as His discernment is infallible and complete. It is this divine prerogative that allows God to "render unto every man according unto all his ways" with perfect justice, knowing the hidden springs of their actions, as further articulated in [1 Kings 8:39](/1_kings/8-39 "1 Kings 8:39 - God's Knowledge of Hearts").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's dwelling place?**

Answer: While the newly built Temple was a physical symbol of God's presence among His people and a designated place for prayer, Solomon explicitly states that God's true "dwelling place" is "heaven." This distinction is crucial; it affirms God's transcendence and omnipresence, emphasizing that He is not confined to human structures or geographical locations. He hears prayers not because they are offered in a specific building, but because He is the sovereign Lord of all creation, listening and responding from His ultimate, heavenly throne, as echoed in [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne is Heaven").

**What is the significance of "render unto every man according unto all his ways"?**

Answer: This phrase speaks to God's righteous judgment and recompense. It signifies that God's justice is not arbitrary or superficial but perfectly aligned with an individual's true character and actions, which are fully known to Him through His understanding of the heart. It implies a just consequence for both sin and righteousness, ensuring that divine judgment is always equitable and based on complete knowledge. This theme of God rendering to each according to their deeds is consistently found throughout Scripture, such as in [Psalm 62:12](/psalms/62-12 "Psalm 62:12 - God Renders to Each According to Their Work") and [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Render to Each According to Their Deeds").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 6:30, with its profound emphasis on God's unique knowledge of the human heart, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most complete expression in Jesus Christ. As God incarnate, Jesus perfectly embodies this divine omniscience, demonstrating His ability to discern the thoughts and intentions of people, even before they spoke ([Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts"); [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")). The forgiveness Solomon prayed for is made possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a pardon rooted not in human merit but in divine grace ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Furthermore, the righteous judgment Solomon anticipated, based on God's perfect knowledge of the heart, is ultimately entrusted to Christ, who will judge both the living and the dead, bringing to light the hidden things of darkness and exposing the intentions of the heart ([Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges the Secrets of Men Through Christ Jesus"); [2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead")). The New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, promises a transformation where God's law is written not on tablets of stone but on the hearts of His people ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")), fulfilling the desire for a heart truly known and made righteous by God. Jesus, our great High Priest, continually intercedes for us from heaven, His true dwelling place, ensuring that our prayers are heard and that we receive mercy and grace in time of need ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Intercessor"); [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")).

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

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

1 Kings 8:39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, [even] thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

Ezekiel 18:30

¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.