2 Chronicles 7:15

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place.

Now mine eyes {H5869} shall be open {H6605}, and mine ears {H241} attent {H7183} unto the prayer {H8605} that is made in this place {H4725}.

Now my eyes will be open and my ears will pay attention to the prayer made in this place.

Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:15 is a profound promise from God to King Solomon, spoken immediately after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse assures Solomon, and by extension, all who would come to that sacred place, of God's unwavering attention to their prayers.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct response to Solomon's heartfelt prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 6 and also paralleled in 1 Kings 8. Following the glorious display of God's presence at the Temple's dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1), the Lord appears to Solomon by night to confirm His acceptance of the Temple and His covenant with Israel. Verse 15 is a foundational element of this divine affirmation, preceding the well-known promise of restoration in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which speaks of repentance and seeking God's face.

Key Themes

  • God's Attentiveness to Prayer: The phrase "mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent" vividly portrays God's active and vigilant posture towards the prayers of His people. It signifies not just hearing, but a readiness to respond and engage. This theme underscores God's personal interest in the supplications of those who seek Him.
  • The Significance of the Sanctuary: "In this place" refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was designated as a unique focal point for worship, sacrifice, and prayer for the nation of Israel. It was seen as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, making prayers offered there particularly significant.
  • Divine Promise and Covenant: This verse is a promise rooted in God's covenant faithfulness. It reassures Solomon that despite future challenges or sins, God would remain accessible and responsive to His people when they turned to Him in their designated place of worship. It lays the groundwork for the conditional promise of national healing and restoration found in the subsequent verse.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "mine ears attent" comes from the Hebrew word qashab (קשב), which means "to listen closely," "to give heed," or "to pay attention." This isn't merely passive hearing, but an active, focused listening. Similarly, "mine eyes shall be open" (from the Hebrew pathach - פתח) implies an unhindered, watchful gaze, reinforcing God's constant and direct awareness of the prayers offered.

Practical Application

While the physical Temple no longer stands, the spiritual truth of 2 Chronicles 7:15 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. God's character as a God who hears and responds to prayer is unchanging.

  • Encouragement to Pray: This verse serves as a powerful encouragement to approach God in prayer with confidence, knowing that His "eyes are open and ears attent" to our cries (1 John 5:14).
  • The "Place" of Prayer: For New Testament believers, the concept of "this place" has expanded. Our bodies are now considered the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God promises His presence wherever even two or three are gathered in His name (Matthew 18:20). The entire earth, and indeed every heart, can be a place of genuine encounter with God.
  • God's Faithfulness: This verse reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Just as He promised to hear prayers made at Solomon's Temple, He continues to be attentive to the prayers of His people who seek Him with a sincere heart (Jeremiah 29:12).

Therefore, 2 Chronicles 7:15 inspires us to consistently engage in prayer, trusting in the active, attentive, and responsive nature of our God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 3:12

    For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:40

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:20

    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.

  • Nehemiah 1:6

    Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

  • Deuteronomy 11:12

    A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God [are] always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

  • Psalms 65:2

    O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

  • Psalms 130:2

    Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
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