2 Chronicles 6:33
Then heare thou from the heauens, euen from thy dwelling place, and doe according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy Name, and feare thee, as doeth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I haue built, is called by thy Name. 2 Chronicles 6:33 (KJV)
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. 2 Chronicles 6:33 (KJV)
The verse is part of King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple he built in Jerusalem. In this prayer Solomon acknowledges that the temple is a place where both Israelites and foreigners can come to seek God.
“Now, O LORD, we pray thee, that this house which is built for Thee may be sanctified, that the prayer of Thy servant, and the prayer of Thy people Israel, may be heard, and that the prayer which they shall say in this house, which is called by Thy name, may be accepted.”
Solomon prays for God to hear from heaven and respond to the prayers of strangers or foreigners who come to the temple seeking Him. This demonstrates God’s inclusivity and His willingness to hear the prayers of all people, regardless of their nationality or background.
Solomon’s prayer reflects the belief that God is not limited to a specific location but hears prayers from His dwelling place in heaven. The verse highlights the confidence that if someone, even a stranger, calls upon God in sincere prayer, God will answer and act according to His will.
Solomon emphasizes that the purpose of God responding to the prayers of strangers is twofold. First, it is so that all the people of the earth may come to know God’s name, so that God’s character, power, and faithfulness would be made known to the nations. Second, it is to inspire reverence and fear of God among all people, just as the Israelites do. The desire is for people to recognize that the temple Solomon built is a place where God’s presence dwells and where prayers are answered.
This verse reminds us that God is accessible to all people, regardless of their background. It encourages believers to have a heart of inclusivity and to extend the invitation for others to seek God and experience His grace. It also reminds us that when we pray, God hears our prayers and responds according to His wisdom and purposes, even when we feel like strangers in a foreign land.
