2 Chronicles 6:21
New International Version
Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

New Living Translation
May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

English Standard Version
And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

Berean Standard Bible
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.

New American Standard Bible
Listen to the pleadings of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; hear and forgive.

NASB 1995
“Listen to the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; hear and forgive.

NASB 1977
“And listen to the supplications of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear Thou from Thy dwelling place, from heaven; hear Thou and forgive.

Legacy Standard Bible
And listen to the supplications of Your slave and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; listen from Your dwelling place, from heaven; listen and forgive.

Amplified Bible
So listen to the requests of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; and when You hear, forgive.

Christian Standard Bible
Hear the petitions of your servant and your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven. May you hear and forgive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hear the petitions of Your servant and Your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May You hear in Your dwelling place in heaven. May You hear and forgive.

American Standard Version
And hearken thou to the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest forgive.

Contemporary English Version
I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you, and so whenever any of us look toward this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.

English Revised Version
And hearken thou to the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hear the plea for mercy that your people Israel and I pray toward this place. Hear us in heaven, the place where you live. Hear and forgive.

Good News Translation
Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people Israel when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.

International Standard Version
Listen to the requests from your servant and from your people Israel as they pray in this direction, and listen from the place where you reside—from heaven!—then hear and forgive.

Majority Standard Bible
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

NET Bible
Respond to the requests of your servant and your people Israel for this place. Hear from your heavenly dwelling place and respond favorably and forgive.

New Heart English Bible
Listen to the petitions of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hearken therefore to the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make towards this place: hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

World English Bible
Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And You have listened to the supplications of Your servant, and of Your people Israel, that they pray toward this place, and You hear from the place of Your dwelling, from the heavens, and have listened, and forgiven.

Young's Literal Translation
'And Thou hast hearkened unto the supplications of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, that they pray towards this place, and Thou dost hear from the place of Thy dwelling, from the heavens, and hast hearkened, and forgiven.

Smith's Literal Translation
And hear to the supplications of thy servant, and thy people Israel, which they shall pray to this place: and thou wilt hear from the place of thy dwelling from the heavens; and thou heardest and forgave.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that thou wouldst hear the prayer which thy servant prayeth in it: hearken then to the prayers of thy servant, and of thy people Israel. Whosoever shall pray in this place, hear thou from thy dwelling place, that is, from heaven, and shew mercy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and so that you may heed the prayer which your servant is praying within it, and so that you may heed the prayers of your servant and of your people Israel. Whoever will pray in this place, listen from your habitation, that is, from heaven, and forgive.

New American Bible
Listen to the petition of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer toward this place. Listen, from the place of your enthronement, heaven, and listen and forgive.

New Revised Standard Version
And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling place; hear and forgive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hearken therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall pray before thee in this place; hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To listen to the prayer of your Servant and of your people Israel that prays before you in this place, and you will listen from the place of your seat from Heaven, and you will hear, and you will forgive.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And hearken Thou to the supplications of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; yea, hear Thou from Thy dwelling-place, even from heaven; and when Thou hearest, forgive.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt hear the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whatsoever prayers they shall make towards this place: and thou shalt hearken in thy dwelling-place out of heaven, yea thou shalt hear, and be merciful.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Prayer of Dedication
20May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. 21Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. 22When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,…

Cross References
1 Kings 8:30
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Psalm 65:2
O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.

Psalm 102:17
He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Daniel 9:17-19
So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. / Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. / O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.”

1 Kings 9:3
And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.

2 Chronicles 7:15
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Nehemiah 1:6
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.


Treasury of Scripture

Listen therefore to the supplications of your servant, and of your people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear you from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.

make [heb] pray

2 Chronicles 6:39
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.

2 Chronicles 30:27
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

Job 22:12-14
Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! …

forgive

Psalm 85:2,3
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah…

Psalm 130:3,4
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? …

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

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2 Chronicles 6
1. Solomon, having blessed the people, blessed God
12. Solomon's prayer in the consecration of the temple, upon the bronze platform.














Hear the plea
The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. This plea is a heartfelt request for God’s attention and intervention. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the act of hearing was often associated with the authority to act. Solomon is asking God to be attentive to the cries of His people, acknowledging His sovereignty and willingness to engage with human affairs.

of Your servant
The term "servant" here, "עֶבֶד" (eved), denotes a position of humility and submission. Solomon, despite being a king, recognizes his role as a servant of God. This reflects a biblical principle that true leadership is rooted in servanthood, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, notably in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

and Your people Israel
"Israel" refers to the covenant people of God, chosen to be a light to the nations. The historical context here is significant; Israel is at the height of its united monarchy under Solomon. The plea is not just for the king but for the entire nation, emphasizing communal intercession and the collective identity of God’s people.

when they pray toward this place
"This place" refers to the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon has dedicated to God. The temple serves as a physical focal point for worship and prayer, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. Archaeologically, the temple was a magnificent structure, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. The act of praying toward the temple signifies a directed and intentional act of worship, acknowledging God’s dwelling among His people.

May You hear from heaven
"Heaven" is described as God’s true dwelling place, transcending the physical temple. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim) conveys the idea of the heavens or the sky, often used to denote God’s omnipresence and sovereignty. This phrase acknowledges that while God’s presence is symbolically in the temple, His true throne is in the heavens, ruling over all creation.

Your dwelling place
This phrase reinforces the concept of God’s transcendence and immanence. While God is omnipresent, He chooses to dwell among His people, first in the tabernacle, then in the temple, and ultimately in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit. This duality of God’s dwelling is a profound mystery, inviting believers to experience His presence both corporately and personally.

May You hear and forgive
Forgiveness is a central theme in the biblical narrative, essential for restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity. The Hebrew word for "forgive" is "סָלַח" (salach), which implies a complete removal of guilt. Solomon’s prayer acknowledges human sinfulness and the need for divine mercy. This plea for forgiveness is a precursor to the ultimate forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the sacrificial system and provides eternal reconciliation with God.

(21) Supplications.--Tah?n-nim, a word chiefly poetic and late, which nowhere appears in Kings, and only here in Chronicles. Kings has the older synonym t?hinn?h.

Hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven.--Yea thou--thou shalt hear from the place of thy dwelling, from the heavens. For "from," in both places, Kings has "unto," an unusual pregnant construction, which is probably original.

Verse 21. - The supplications of thy servant. "The great thought of Solomon now is that the centre and core of all worship is prayer" (Professor Dr. James G. Murphy, in 'Handbook for Bible Classes: Chronicles'). Toward this place (see other instances of this expression, Psalm 5:7; Psalm 28:2; Psalm 138:2; Jonah 2:4; Daniel 6:10). From thy dwelling-place. 1 Kings 8:30 has, "hear to thy dwelling-place, to heaven," by probably the mere error of a copyist.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hear
וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ (wə·šā·ma‘·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the plea
תַּחֲנוּנֵ֤י (ta·ḥă·nū·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8469: Supplication for favor

of Your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֙ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and Your people
וְעַמְּךָ֣ (wə·‘am·mə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

when
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they pray
יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ (yiṯ·pal·lū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

toward
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

place.
הַמָּק֣וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

May You
וְ֠אַתָּה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

hear
תִּשְׁמַ֞ע (tiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

heaven,
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

Your dwelling
שִׁבְתְּךָ֙ (šiḇ·tə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

place.
מִמְּק֤וֹם (mim·mə·qō·wm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

May You hear
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ (wə·šā·ma‘·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and forgive.
וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ (wə·sā·lā·ḥə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 6:21 Listen to the petitions of your servant (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 6:20
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