TRV
Translation
King James Version
That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
Complete Jewish Bible
so that they will fear you and therefore live according to your ways throughout the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.
Berean Standard Bible
so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.
American Standard Version
that they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
World English Bible Messianic
that they may fear you, to walk in your ways, so long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.
Geneva Bible (1599)
That they may feare thee, and walke in thy wayes as long as they liue in the land which thou gauest vnto our fathers.
Young's Literal Translation
so that they fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways, all the days that they are living on the face of the ground that Thou hast given to our fathers.
In the KJVVerse 11,314 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 6 verses 12–42
12 ¶ And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
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,
14 And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
15 Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
16 Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
17 Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
19 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
20 That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
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.
22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
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.
24 And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
26 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
29 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:
30 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:)
31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
32 Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;
33 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
34 If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
38 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
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.
40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
Solomon had, in the foregoing verses, signed and sealed, as it were, the deed of dedication, by which the temple was appropriated to the honour and service of God. Now here he prays the consecration-prayer, by which it was made a figure of Christ, the great Mediator, through whom we are to offer all our prayers, and to expect all God's favours, and to whom we are to have an eye in every thing where we have to do with God. We have opened the particulars of this prayer (1 Kings 8) and therefore shall now only glean up some few passages in it which may be the proper subjects of our meditation.
I. Here are some doctrinal truths occasionally laid down. As, 1. That the God of Israel is a being of incomparable perfection. We cannot describe him; but this we know, there is none like him in heaven or in earth, Ch2 6:14. All the creatures have their fellow-creatures, but the Creator has not his peer. He is infinitely above all, and over all, God blessed for ever. 2. That he is, and will be, true to every word that he has spoken; and all that serve him in sincerity shall certainly find him both faithful and kind. Those that set God always before them, and walk before him with all their hearts, shall find him as good as his word and better; he will both keep covenant with them and show mercy to them, Ch2 6:14. 3. That he is a being infinite and immense, whom the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain, and to whose felicity nothing is added by the utmost we can do in his service, Ch2 6:18. He is infinitely beyond the bounds of the creation and infinitely above the praises of all intelligent creatures. 4. That he, and he only, knows the hearts of the children of men, Ch2 6:30. All men's thoughts, aims, and affections, are naked and open before him; and, however the imaginations and intents of our hearts may be concealed from men, angels, and devils, they cannot be hidden from God, who knows not only what is in the heart, but the heart itself and all the beatings of it. 5. That there is no such thing as a sinless perfection to be found in this life (Ch2 6:36): There is no man who sinneth not; nay, who doeth good and sinneth not; so he writes, agreeable to what he here says, Ecc 7:20.
II. Here are some suppositions or cases put which are to be taken notice of. 1. He supposed that if doubts and controversies arose between man and man both sides would agree to appeal to God, and lay an oath upon the person whose testimony must decide the matter, Ch2 6:22. The religious reverence of an oath, as it was ancient, so, it may be presumed, it will continue as long as there are any remains of conscience and right reason among men. 2. He supposed that, though Israel enjoyed a profound peace and tranquillity, yet troublesome times would come. He did not think the mountain of their prosperity stood so strong but that it might be moved; nay, he expected sin would move it. 3. He supposed that those who had not called upon God at other times, yet, in their affliction, would seek him early and earnestly. "When they are in distress they will confess their sins, and confess thy name, and make supplication to thee." Trouble will drive those to God who have said to him, Depart, Ch2 6:24, Ch2 6:26, Ch2 6:28. 4. He supposed that strangers would come from afar to worship the God of Israel and to pay homage to him; and this also might reasonably be expected, considering what worthless things the gods of the nations were, and what proofs the God of Israel had given of his being Lord of the whole earth.
III. Here are petitions very pertinent. 1. That God would own this house, and have an eye to it, as the place of which he had said that he would put his name there, Ch2 6:20. He could not, in faith, have asked God to show such peculiar favour to this house above any other if he himself had not said that it should be his rest for ever. The prayer that will speed must be warranted by the word. We may with humble confidence pray to God to be well pleased with us in Jesus Christ, because he had declared himself well pleased in him - This is my beloved Son; but he says not now of any house, "This is my beloved place." 2. That God would hear and accept the prayers which should be made in or towards that place, Ch2 6:21. He asked not that God should help them whether they prayed for themselves or no, but that God would help them in answer to their prayers. Even Christ's intercessions do not supersede but encourage our supplications. He prayed that God would hear from his dwelling-place, even from heaven. Heaven in his dwelling-place still, not this temple; and thence help must come. When thou hearest forgive. Note, The forgiveness of our sins is that which makes way for all the other answers to our prayers, Removendo prohibens - The evil which it drives away it keeps away. 3. That God would give judgment according to equity upon all the appeals that should be made to him, Ch2 6:23, Ch2 6:30. This we may, in faith, pray for, for we are sure it shall be done. God sitteth on the throne judging right. 4. That God would return in mercy to his people when they repented, and reformed, and sought unto him, Ch2 6:25, Ch2 6:27, Ch2 6:38, Ch2 6:39. This we also may, in faith, pray for, building upon the repeated declarations God has made of his readiness to accepts penitents. 5. That God would bid the strangers welcome to this house, and answer their prayers (Ch2 6:33); for, if there be in duty, why should there not be in privilege one law for the stranger and for one born in the land? Lev 24:22. 6. That God would, upon all occasions, own and plead the cause of his people Israel, against all the opposers of it (Ch2 6:35): Maintain their cause; and again, Ch2 6:39. If they be the Israel of God, their cause is the cause of God, and he would espouse it. 7. He concludes this prayer with some expressions which he had learned of his good father, and borrowed from one of his psalms. We had then not in the Kings, but here we have them, Ch2 6:41, Ch2 6:42. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; and how can we express ourselves in better language to God than that of his own Spirit? But these words were of use, in a special manner, to direct Solomon, because they had reference to this very work that he was now doing. We have them, Psa 132:8-10. He prayer (Ch2 6:41), (1.) That God would take possession of the temple, and keep possession, that he would make it his resting-place: Thou and the ark; what will the ark do without the God of the ark-ordinances without the God of the ordinances? (2.) That he would make the ministers of the temple public blessings: Clothe them with salvation, that is, not only save them, but make them instrumental to save others, by offering the sacrifices of righteousness. (3.) That the service of the temple might turn abundantly to the joy and satisfaction of all the Lord's people: Let thy saints rejoice in goodness, that is, in the goodness of thy house, Psa 65:4. "Let all that come hither to worship, like the eunuch, go away rejoicing." He pleads two things, Ch2 6:42. [1.] His own relation to God: "Turn not away the face of thy anointed. Lord, thou hast appointed me to be king, and wilt not thou own me?" [2.] God's covenant with his father: Remember thy mercies of David thy servant - the piety of David towards God (so some understand it and so the word sometimes signifies), his pious care of the ark, and concern for it (see Psa 132:1, Psa 132:2, etc.), or the promises of God to David, which were mercies to him, his great support and comforts in all his troubles. We may plead, as Solomon does here, with an eye to Christ: - "We deserve that God should turn away our face, that he should reject us and our prayers; but we come in the name of the Lord Jesus, thy anointed, thy Messiah (so the word is), thy Christ, so the lxx. Him thou hearest always, and wilt never turn away his face. We have no righteousness of our own to plead, but, Lord, remember the mercies of David thy servant." Christ is God's servant (Isa 42:1), and is called David, Hos 3:5. "Lord, remember his mercies, and accept us on the account of them. Remember his tender concern for his Father's honour and man's salvation, and what he did and suffered from that principle. Remember the promises of the everlasting covenant, which free grace has made to us in Christ, and which are called the sure mercies of David," Isa 55:3 and Act 13:34. This must be all our desire and all our hope, all our prayer and all our plea; for it is all our salvation.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–42. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 2 Chronicles 6:31 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 6:31 stands as a pivotal declaration within King Solomon's profound prayer of dedication for the newly consecrated Temple in Jerusalem. This verse articulates a fundamental principle of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh: their continued security, prosperity, and enduring presence in the Promised Land were directly contingent upon their reverent awe of God and their faithful obedience to His divine commands. It powerfully underscores the profound and inseparable link between spiritual devotion, moral conduct, and the tangible blessings of God's covenant faithfulness, serving as a solemn reminder of the conditional nature of their inheritance and the reciprocal demands of their relationship with the Almighty.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several Literary Devices to convey its profound and multifaceted message with clarity and impact. Conditional Language is central to its meaning, as the phrase "so long as they live" explicitly links the duration of their dwelling in the land to their "fear" and "walking in God's ways." This highlights the reciprocal and dynamic nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The phrase "to walk in thy ways" is a classic biblical Idiom, a common expression that signifies a holistic lifestyle of obedience and active adherence to God's commands and moral principles, rather than merely literal physical movement. The mention of "the land which thou gavest unto our fathers" functions as a powerful Allusion to the foundational covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, grounding the present generation's experience in their rich ancestral history and God's enduring faithfulness, while simultaneously reminding them of their ongoing responsibilities. Furthermore, the inherent structure of the verse, progressing logically from an internal attitude ("fear thee") to external, demonstrable action ("walk in thy ways") and then to the resulting blessing or condition ("live in the land"), vividly demonstrates a clear Cause-and-Effect relationship, reinforcing the Deuteronomic theology that pervades the Chronicler's historical narrative.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a foundational principle of biblical theology that transcends dispensational boundaries: the intrinsic and unbreakable link between profound reverence for God, faithful obedience to His commands, and the experience of His manifold blessings. It powerfully echoes the Deuteronomic emphasis that Israel's national life and prosperity in the land were never automatic but were perpetually contingent upon their covenant faithfulness. The "fear of God" is presented not as a burden but as the wellspring of true wisdom and the primary motivation for righteous living, a theme consistently woven through the fabric of the Old Testament. While the specific "land tenure" aspect is unique to Israel's national covenant, the underlying principle—that a life lived in humble submission and active obedience to God leads to flourishing, deeper communion with Him, and the experience of His favor—remains universally applicable. It teaches that genuine worship is not merely ritualistic or performative but is profoundly transformative, leading to a life that consistently honors God and experiences His abundant favor.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Chronicles 6:31 offers profound and enduring insights into the very nature of our relationship with God. While we now stand firmly under the glorious New Covenant of grace, the timeless call to "fear God" remains profoundly relevant and essential. This means cultivating a deep, reverent awe for God's holiness, His majestic power, His perfect justice, and His unfathomable love, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty over every facet of our lives. This profound reverence should naturally and joyfully lead us to "walk in His ways," which for Christians means living in active obedience to the transformative teachings of Christ and the empowering guidance of the Holy Spirit, consistently demonstrating our love for God and our neighbor. Our "land" or inheritance is no longer a physical territory but a spiritual reality found exclusively in Christ—encompassing our salvation, our eternal dwelling with God, and our present experience of His kingdom and presence. While this spiritual inheritance is secured by grace through faith alone, our daily experience of God's blessings, our intimate fellowship with Him, and the fruitfulness of our lives are undeniably deepened and enriched by our committed and joyful obedience. This verse powerfully challenges us to honestly consider if our reverence for God is genuinely translating into a life of active, joyful submission to His will, profoundly impacting our daily choices, priorities, and character.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "fear God" truly mean in this context and for Christians today?
Answer: In 2 Chronicles 6:31, "fear God" (Hebrew: yârêʼ) signifies a profound reverence, awe, and respectful submission to God's sovereignty, power, and holiness, rather than a paralyzing terror. It's an acknowledgment of His supreme authority and His rightful place as Lord, which naturally leads to a desire to honor and obey Him. For Christians today, this meaning largely holds true, though seen through the lens of Christ's finished work. While the New Covenant emphasizes God's boundless love and grace through Christ, a healthy "fear of the Lord" remains essential. It means holding God in the highest esteem, recognizing His absolute power and justice, and understanding the gravity of sin, while simultaneously embracing His mercy and love. It's a reverential awe that motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him, out of love and gratitude, knowing that He is both our loving Father and our righteous Judge. This fear is not about being afraid of punishment, but about a deep respect that shapes our character and choices, leading us to avoid sin and pursue holiness, as encouraged in 1 Peter 2:17.
Is our salvation conditional on obedience, similar to Israel's land tenure?
Answer: No, the New Covenant teaches with absolute clarity that salvation is a gracious gift of God, received solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or human obedience (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unlike Israel's conditional land tenure, our eternal spiritual inheritance in Christ is eternally secure and not dependent on our perfect or fluctuating obedience. However, this truth does not negate the profound importance of obedience in the Christian life. While obedience is certainly not the basis of our salvation, it is the undeniable evidence and fruit of genuine, saving faith (James 2:17). Just as Israel's obedience deepened their experience of God's blessings in the land, so too does our obedience as Christians lead to a deeper, richer experience of God's intimate fellowship, His transforming power, and the abundant blessings of His kingdom in our lives (John 14:21). Our obedience flows organically from a heart of love and profound gratitude for the salvation we have already freely received, rather than being a means to earn or secure it.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 6:31 speaks directly to Israel's conditional tenure in the physical Promised Land, its underlying theological principles find profound and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Christ perfectly embodied the "fear of the Lord" and "walked in God's ways" with absolute, unwavering obedience, thus perfectly fulfilling all righteousness where Israel consistently failed. He is the ultimate "Way" (John 14:6), whose life of perfect submission to the Father's will provides the divine pattern for all who follow Him. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ secured for all believers a spiritual "land" or inheritance that is not conditional on our fluctuating obedience but is eternally guaranteed by His finished work (Ephesians 1:11). He is our true dwelling place, the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), making it profoundly possible for us to genuinely "fear" God as beloved children, not as slaves, and to walk in the newness of life by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:4). In Christ, the Temple is no longer a physical building but a vibrant spiritual reality, as believers collectively become the dwelling place of God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), enabling us to live lives of reverent obedience that supremely honor the Father and bear abundant fruit for His eternal kingdom, experiencing the fullness of our spiritual inheritance in Him.