2 Chronicles 6:32

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;

Moreover concerning the stranger {H5237}, which is not of thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, but is come {H935} from a far {H7350} country {H776} for thy great {H1419} name's {H8034} sake, and thy mighty {H2389} hand {H3027}, and thy stretched out {H5186} arm {H2220}; if they come {H935} and pray {H6419} in this house {H1004};

"Also the foreigner who does not belong to your people Isra'el -when he comes from a distant country because of your great reputation, your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house;

And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,

Moreover concerning the foreigner, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thine outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house:

Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:32 is a remarkable part of King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, Solomon broadens the scope of God's mercy and the Temple's purpose beyond the people of Israel, specifically including "the stranger" or foreigner.

Context

This verse is nestled within Solomon's extensive prayer at the dedication of the First Temple. Following the completion of the magnificent structure, Solomon stands before the altar, kneeling and spreading his hands toward heaven, interceding for his people and for all who would seek God there. His prayer covers various scenarios, from drought and famine to defeat in battle, and importantly, the inclusion of non-Israelites. This foresight highlights a profound aspect of God's universal plan, even at a time when Israel was God's chosen nation.

Key Themes

  • God's Universal Reach: The verse powerfully demonstrates that God's plan of salvation and His desire to be known extend beyond the borders of Israel. It anticipates a time when all nations would acknowledge Him.
  • The Temple as a House of Prayer for All Nations: Solomon's plea for strangers to be heard in the Temple foreshadows the prophetic declaration in Isaiah 56:7 that God's house would be a "house of prayer for all people."
  • God's Reputation and Power: The "stranger" is drawn not by Israel's might, but by God's "great name's sake," His "mighty hand," and His "stretched out arm"—expressions of His renowned power and acts of deliverance (e.g., the Exodus). This emphasizes that people are drawn to God Himself.
  • Inclusivity of Worship: The very act of a foreigner coming to "pray in this house" signifies a welcome and an acknowledgment that God's presence is accessible to all who genuinely seek Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "for thy great name's sake" (לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל, l'ma'an shimkha hagadol) is significant. In Hebrew thought, a person's 'name' (שֵׁם, shem) represents their character, reputation, and essence. Thus, these strangers are drawn by the very nature and renown of God, not merely by superficial curiosity. The imagery of God's "mighty hand" and "stretched out arm" are common biblical idioms (e.g., Exodus 6:6) referring to His powerful acts of intervention and deliverance, particularly seen in the Exodus from Egypt, which would have resonated even with those from "a far country."

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 6:32 holds profound relevance for believers today:

  • Global Mission: It reminds us of God's heart for all nations and reinforces the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Our worship spaces and ministries should reflect this same welcoming spirit.
  • Welcoming Outsiders: The Church, as the spiritual "house of prayer" today, should be a place where those who are "not of thy people" (those outside the faith) feel welcomed to seek God and learn about His "great name."
  • Prayer for All: Just as Solomon prayed for strangers, we are called to pray for all people, including those who do not yet know God, that they might be drawn by His power and character. This verse highlights that God hears the sincere prayers of anyone who approaches Him in faith, regardless of their background, a truth also echoed in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 10:34-35).
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

  • Isaiah 56:3

    ¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree.

  • Isaiah 56:7

    Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

  • Matthew 8:10

    When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

  • Matthew 8:11

    And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

  • 1 Kings 8:41

    Moreover concerning a stranger, that [is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;

  • 1 Kings 8:43

    Hear thou in heaven 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, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

  • John 12:20

    ¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
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