2 Chronicles 6:13

Authorized King James Version

For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
עָשָׂ֨ה
had made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#3
שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה
For Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#4
כִּיּ֣וֹר
scaffold
properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e., a chafing-dish for coals or a caldron for cooking; hence (from similarity of form) a washbowl
#5
נְחֹ֗שֶׁת
a brasen
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
#6
וַֽיִּתְּנֵהוּ֮
and had set
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
בְּת֣וֹךְ
it in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#8
הָֽעֲזָרָה֒
of the court
an inclosure; also a border
#9
וְחָמֵ֤שׁ
and five
five
#10
וְאַמּ֥וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#11
אָרְכּ֗וֹ
long
length
#12
וְחָמֵ֤שׁ
and five
five
#13
וְאַמּ֥וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#14
רָחְבּ֔וֹ
broad
width (literally or figuratively)
#15
וְאַמּ֥וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#16
שָׁל֖וֹשׁ
and three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#17
קֽוֹמָת֑וֹ
high
height
#18
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד
and upon it he stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#19
עָלָ֗יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
וַיִּבְרַ֤ךְ
and kneeled down
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#21
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#22
בִּרְכָּיו֙
upon his knees
a knee
#23
נֶ֚גֶד
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
#24
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#25
קְהַ֣ל
before all the congregation
assemblage (usually concretely)
#26
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#27
וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ
and spread forth
to break apart, disperse, etc
#28
כַּפָּ֖יו
his hands
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#29
הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃
toward heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection