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.”

Immediate Context

The preceding line reads “Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:” The titled verse reads “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.” The following line reads “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.” Together, these lines place 2 Chronicles 6:20 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Reading the Verse

The verse records speech within a historical scene. Meaning depends on who speaks, who receives the words, and what prompted the exchange.

The verse first states “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;” It then adds “to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.” Both movements belong together.

Biblical Significance

Recorded speech reveals decisions, commands, questions, fears, promises, or responses within the biblical account. Keeping the correct words with the correct speaker is essential.

Application

Readers should ask what the speech accomplishes in the scene and how the surrounding narrative evaluates it. Careful listening should precede application.

Read in this setting, 2 Chronicles 6:20 speaks through its own wording and context. Its claims and application begin with the KJV text above.