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.
Original Language Analysis
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
H1961
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֵינֶ֨יךָ
That thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֨יךָ
That thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 24
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
פְתֻח֜וֹת
may be open
H6605
פְתֻח֜וֹת
may be open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
3 of 24
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הַבַּ֤יִת
upon this house
H1004
הַבַּ֤יִת
upon this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
וָלַ֔יְלָה
and night
H3915
וָלַ֔יְלָה
and night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַמָּק֖וֹם
toward this place
H4725
הַמָּק֖וֹם
toward this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָשׂ֥וּם
that thou wouldest put
H7760
לָשׂ֥וּם
that thou wouldest put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שִׁמְךָ֖
thy name
H8034
שִׁמְךָ֖
thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
לִשְׁמ֙וֹעַ֙
there to hearken
H8085
לִשְׁמ֙וֹעַ֙
there to hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
16 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה
unto the prayer
H8605
הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה
unto the prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
18 of 24
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
prayeth
H6419
יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
prayeth
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
20 of 24
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
Cross References
Psalms 34:15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.Psalms 121:5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Historical Context
This prayer (c. 960 BCE) established the temple's role in Israelite prayer life. Even when scattered (exile, Diaspora), Jews prayed toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10), trusting God heard prayers oriented toward His house, anticipating the universal accessibility through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does praying 'in Jesus' name' - through His mediation - give confidence that God's eyes and ears are attentive to your prayers?
- What difference does it make that God's attention isn't limited to a physical location but extends to all who pray through Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
Solomon's dedicatory prayer asks: '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 request for God's eyes to be 'open... day and night' asks for continual divine attention. God 'putting His name there' signifies covenant presence and ownership. The temple becomes the locus where prayers are directed, though God isn't contained there (6:18). Jesus supersedes this - He is the place where believers pray 'in Jesus' name,' accessing the Father. God's eyes are always open to prayers offered through Christ.