2 Chronicles 6:33

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.

Then hear {H8085} thou from the heavens {H8064}, even from thy dwelling {H3427} place {H4349}, and do {H6213} according to all that the stranger {H5237} calleth {H7121} to thee for; that all people {H5971} of the earth {H776} may know {H3045} thy name {H8034}, and fear {H3372} thee, as doth thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, and may know {H3045} that this house {H1004} which I have built {H1129} is called {H7121} by thy name {H8034}.

then hear from heaven, from where you live; and act in accordance with everything about which the foreigner is calling to you; so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as does your people Isra'el, and so that they will know that this house which I have built bears your name.

then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calleth to thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a significant part of King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. Recorded in 2 Chronicles chapter 6 (and paralleled in 1 Kings 8), Solomon intercedes for various groups and situations, asking God to hear prayers directed towards this sacred dwelling. In this specific petition, Solomon demonstrates a remarkably inclusive vision, asking God to respond to the prayers of "the stranger" – a non-Israelite – who comes to the Temple seeking God.

Key Themes

  • God's Universal Reach and Sovereignty: The prayer transcends the boundaries of Israel, emphasizing that God's concern and power extend to "all people of the earth." This highlights a core biblical truth that God is not just a tribal deity but the sovereign Lord of all creation.
  • The Temple as a Beacon for All Nations: Solomon envisions the Temple not merely as a national sanctuary but as a place that would draw people from diverse backgrounds to worship the one true God. This aligns with prophetic visions of God's house being a "house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7).
  • Knowing and Fearing God's Name: The ultimate purpose of God answering the stranger's prayer is so that all humanity "may know thy name, and fear thee." "Knowing God's name" implies a deep, experiential understanding of His character, power, and covenant faithfulness, leading to reverent worship and obedience.
  • God's Presence Associated with the Temple: The phrase "this house which I have built is called by thy name" signifies that the Temple is the designated place where God's presence is uniquely manifested, where He meets with His people, and where His glory dwells.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Strangers" (KJV) / "Foreigners" (ESV, NIV): The Hebrew word is nakriy (Χ ΦΈΧ›Φ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ™), which refers to non-Israelites or foreigners. Solomon's inclusion of them in his prayer underscores God's desire for all nations to seek Him, not just His chosen people.
  • "Know thy name": In biblical thought, "knowing" (Hebrew: yada') is not just intellectual assent but a deep, personal, and relational understanding. To "know God's name" means to understand His nature, His attributes, and His covenant relationship, leading to proper respect and worship.

Cross-References & Connections

Solomon's prayer for the stranger echoes God's earlier promises to Abraham that all families of the earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3). This universal scope of God's redemptive plan is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. Prophets like Isaiah (2:2-4) and Micah (4:1-3) also foretold a future when all nations would stream to Jerusalem to learn of the Lord. In the New Testament, this inclusive spirit finds its ultimate fulfillment in the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ through the Gospel, breaking down the wall of division between Jew and Gentile.

Practical Application

  • Missions and Evangelism: This verse serves as a foundational reminder that God's love and plan of salvation are for all people, regardless of their background or nationality. It fuels the imperative for believers to share the Gospel globally.
  • Hospitality and Inclusivity: Just as Solomon prayed for the stranger, we are called to be welcoming and hospitable to those who are outside of the faith community, demonstrating God's love and providing opportunities for them to encounter Him.
  • Prayer for the Nations: We should regularly pray for God's name to be known and honored throughout the world, that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation would come to a saving knowledge of Him.
  • The Church as God's Spiritual House: While the physical Temple no longer stands, the Church, as the body of Christ, is now the spiritual dwelling place of God (1 Peter 2:5). We are called to be a light to the nations, embodying God's presence and inviting all to know Him.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 (4 votes)

    If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

  • Psalms 67:2 (2 votes)

    That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

  • Jeremiah 10:7 (2 votes)

    Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.

  • Numbers 6:27 (2 votes)

    And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

  • Isaiah 54:1 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ Sing, O barren, thou [that] didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou [that] didst not travail with child: for more [are] the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 54:3 (2 votes)

    For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

  • 1 Samuel 17:46 (2 votes)

    This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.