New International VersionThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
New Living TranslationThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel, and he lifted his hands in prayer.
English Standard VersionThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
Berean Standard BibleThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
King James BibleAnd he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
New King James VersionThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands
New American Standard BibleThen he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
NASB 1995Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
NASB 1977Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
Legacy Standard BibleThen he stood before the altar of Yahweh before all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
Amplified BibleThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
Christian Standard BibleThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.
American Standard VersionAnd he stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands
English Revised VersionAnd he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIn the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of the LORD's altar. He stretched out his hands [to pray].
Good News TranslationThen in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar and raised his arms in prayer. (
International Standard VersionThen Solomon took his place in front of the LORD's altar in the presence of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.
NET BibleHe stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
New Heart English BibleHe stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
World English BibleHe stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he stands before the altar of YHWH, in front of all the assembly of Israel, and spreads out his hand—
Young's Literal Translation And he standeth before the altar of Jehovah, over-against all the assembly of Israel, and spreadeth out his hand, --
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will stand before the altar of Jehovah before all the convocation of Israel, and he will spread forth his hands: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he stood before the altar of the I Lord, in presence of all the multitude of Israel, and stretched forth his hands.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen he stood before the altar of the Lord, facing the entire multitude of Israel, and he extended his hands.
New American BibleThen he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel and stretched forth his hands.
New Revised Standard VersionThen Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Solomon stood up before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Solomon stood in front of the altar of LORD JEHOVAH, before the assembly of all Israel, and spread his hands toward Heaven. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands--
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Solomon's Prayer of Dedication12Then Solomon stoodbeforethe altarof the LORDin front ofthe wholeassemblyof Israeland spread outhis hands.13Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,…
Cross References 1 Kings 8:22-23Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, / and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
1 Kings 8:54Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.
1 Kings 8:14-15And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all / and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,
1 Kings 8:38-39then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— / be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—
1 Kings 8:28-30Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today. / May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. / 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.
1 Kings 8:41-43And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / 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.
1 Kings 8:44-45When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.
1 Kings 8:46-50When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near, / and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ / and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, ...
1 Kings 8:52-53May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You. / For You, O Lord GOD, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”
1 Kings 8:56-61“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. / May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us or forsake us. / May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers. ...
1 Kings 8:62-63Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.
1 Kings 8:66On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel.
1 Kings 9:3And 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.
1 Kings 9:6-9But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...
1 Kings 9:25Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.
Treasury of Scripture And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: he stood 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 2 Kings 11:14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the mannerwas, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason. 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with alltheir heart and alltheir soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. spread forth Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. Job 11:13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Jump to Previous AltarAssemblyCongregationForthFrontHandHandsIsraelOver-AgainstPresenceSolomonSpreadSpreadethStandethStoodWholeJump to Next AltarAssemblyCongregationForthFrontHandHandsIsraelOver-AgainstPresenceSolomonSpreadSpreadethStandethStoodWhole2 Chronicles 6 1.Solomon, having blessed the people, blessed God12.Solomon's prayer in the consecration of the temple, upon the bronze platform.Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORDSolomon, the son of David, is depicted here as a king and spiritual leader, taking his place before the altar, a central element in Israelite worship. The altar of the LORD was located in the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon had built as a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. This act of standing before the altar signifies a position of intercession and leadership, reminiscent of Moses and Aaron, who also stood before the LORD on behalf of the people. The altar represents a place of sacrifice and communion with God, highlighting the importance of worship and atonement in the life of Israel. in front of the whole assembly of Israel
The gathering of the whole assembly of Israel underscores the communal nature of this event. It was a national occasion, with representatives from all the tribes present, signifying unity and collective worship. This assembly reflects the covenant community of Israel, bound together by their shared history and faith in Yahweh. The public nature of Solomon's actions emphasizes transparency and accountability in leadership, as well as the importance of corporate worship. This moment is a fulfillment of God's promises to David regarding his descendants and the establishment of a kingdom. and spread out his hands.
Spreading out his hands is a gesture of prayer and supplication, symbolizing openness and a plea for divine intervention. This posture is seen throughout Scripture as a physical expression of seeking God's favor and blessing (e.g.,Exodus 9:29,Psalm 28:2). It indicates humility and dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the need for His guidance. This act by Solomon can also be seen as a type of Christ, who intercedes on behalf of His people, bridging the gap between humanity and God. Solomon's prayer that follows is a profound example of intercessory prayer, seeking God's presence and faithfulness to His covenant promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, he is the central figure in this passage as he dedicates the newly built temple to the LORD. 2. The Altar of the LORDThis is the altar in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem. It was a place of sacrifice and worship, symbolizing the presence and holiness of God. 3. The Assembly of IsraelThis refers to the gathered people of Israel, representing the twelve tribes. They were present to witness the dedication of the temple, a significant national and spiritual event. 4. The Temple in JerusalemBuilt by Solomon, the temple was the central place of worship for the Israelites and housed the Ark of the Covenant. It symbolized God's dwelling among His people. 5. The Dedication CeremonyThis event marks the completion of the temple and its consecration to God. Solomon's prayer and actions during this ceremony highlight the importance of seeking God's presence and favor. Teaching Points The Importance of Reverence in WorshipSolomon's posture of spreading out his hands signifies humility and reverence. In our worship, we should approach God with a heart of reverence and awe. The Role of Leadership in Spiritual MattersAs a leader, Solomon sets an example for the people by prioritizing prayer and dedication to God. Leaders today should model spiritual devotion and guide others in faith. The Significance of Community in WorshipThe presence of the whole assembly of Israel highlights the communal aspect of worship. Engaging in corporate worship strengthens our faith and unity as believers. The Symbolism of the TempleThe temple represents God's presence among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live lives that reflect God's holiness. Prayer as a Central Element of FaithSolomon's prayer at the dedication underscores the power and necessity of prayer in seeking God's guidance and blessing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 6:12?
2.How does Solomon's posture in 2 Chronicles 6:12 demonstrate reverence in prayer?
3.What can we learn about leadership from Solomon's actions in this passage?
4.How does Solomon's prayer reflect themes found in other Old Testament prayers?
5.How can we incorporate Solomon's humility in our own prayer life today?
6.What does Solomon's example teach about the importance of public prayer in worship?
7.What is the significance of Solomon's posture in 2 Chronicles 6:12 for prayer today?
8.How does Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:12 reflect his relationship with God?
9.Why did Solomon choose to kneel on a platform in 2 Chronicles 6:12?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 6?
11.What does the Bible say about raising hands in worship?
12.What is the significance of Solomon's Temple dedication?
13.How does the forced labor mentioned in 2 Chronicles 8:7–8 reconcile with biblical portrayals of Solomon’s wisdom and godly leadership?
14.2 Chronicles 6:1-2: If God is said to dwell in 'thick darkness,' how does this align with other passages presenting God as light?What Does 2 Chronicles 6:12 Mean Then Solomon• Solomon appears here as the covenant king who has just completed the temple promised to his father David (2 Samuel 7:12–13;1 Kings 6:1). • His first act after finishing the work is to lead the nation into prayer, echoing David’s own heart for worship (1 Chronicles 29:10–13). • This timing—“Then”—marks a transition from construction to consecration, showing that a building, however glorious, gains meaning only when it is dedicated to the Lord (Exodus 40:34–38).
stood before the altar of the LORD• Solomon positions himself “before the altar,” the place where sacrifices continually reminded Israel of substitutionary atonement (Leviticus 4:27–31). • By standing rather than kneeling at this moment, he presents himself as the nation’s representative, much like a priest-king (compareHebrews 7:1, a later reflection on Melchizedek’s combined roles). • The altar ties the king’s prayer to God’s covenant promises of forgiveness, underlining that all pleas depend on the shed blood pictured there (Hebrews 9:22).
in front of the whole assembly of Israel• The entire congregation is gathered, fulfilling Moses’ instruction that the people should hear God’s words together (Deuteronomy 31:11–13). • Public prayer reinforces communal accountability; everyone sees that national leadership submits to divine authority (Joshua 24:1, “Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel”). • This assembly previews later times when God’s people will unite in renewed covenant commitment (Nehemiah 8:1–6;Acts 2:44–47).
and spread out his hands• An open-handed stance pictures dependence and surrender, inviting God to fill what is empty (Psalm 143:6, “I spread out my hands to You”). • The gesture also signifies intercession; Solomon lifts the nation’s needs heavenward (Psalm 141:2;1 Timothy 2:8). • By choosing this posture, he admits that even a wise, wealthy king cannot command blessing—he must ask for it (James 1:17).
summaryEach phrase of2 Chronicles 6:12 highlights a facet of reverent leadership: Solomon, the anointed king, positions himself before the sacrificial altar, gathers God’s people to witness, and lifts open hands in humble prayer. The verse teaches that national and personal life find their true orientation when leaders and followers alike stand openly before the Lord, depending on His covenant mercy displayed at the altar and seeking His favor together. 3. THE KING UTTERS THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION ( 2Chronicles 6:12-42). (Comp.1Kings 8:22-53.) The whole is given as in Kings, save that one verse (2Chronicles 6:13) is added, and the peroration (2Chronicles 6:40-42) is quite different. (12)Stood.--Took his place. It is not implied that he remainedstanding. (Comp.1Samuel 17:51;2Chronicles 6:3,supr.) . . . Verse 12. - Before the altar. This means to say that Solomon stood (and afterwards knelt down) eastward of the altar indeed, but with his face to the temple and congregation. Although the voice of Solomon was raised in prayer to God, yet the prayer was to be that of the whole congregation and not of priestly proxy, and therefore of the whole congregation it must be heard.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then [Solomon] stoodוַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד(way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsbeforeלִפְנֵי֙(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe altarמִזְבַּ֣ח(miz·baḥ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196:An altarof the LORDיְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelin front ofנֶ֖גֶד(ne·ḡeḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5048:A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, beforethe wholeכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyassemblyקְהַ֣ל(qə·hal)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6951:Assembly, convocation, congregationof Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descand spread outוַיִּפְרֹ֖שׂ(way·yip̄·rōś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6566:To break apart, dispersehis hands.כַּפָּֽיו׃(kap·pāw)Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3709:Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 6:12 He stood before the altar of Yahweh (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
