2 Chronicles 6:40
Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
Original Language Analysis
עַתָּ֣ה
H6258
אֱלֹהַ֗י
Now my God
H430
אֱלֹהַ֗י
Now my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִֽהְיוּ
H1961
יִֽהְיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נָ֤א
H4994
נָ֤א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 11
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
let I beseech thee thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
let I beseech thee thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
פְּתֻח֔וֹת
be open
H6605
פְּתֻח֔וֹת
be open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
6 of 11
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
וְאָזְנֶ֖יךָ
and let thine ears
H241
וְאָזְנֶ֖יךָ
and let thine ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
7 of 11
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
לִתְפִלַּ֖ת
unto the prayer
H8605
לִתְפִלַּ֖ת
unto the prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
9 of 11
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
Cross References
Psalms 116:2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.2 Chronicles 7:15Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.Psalms 17:1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.Nehemiah 1:6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.Nehemiah 1:11O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Historical Context
This request (c. 960 BCE) shaped Jewish prayer practice - even when unable to be physically present at the temple (like Daniel in exile), the faithful prayed toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10), trusting God's attention to prayers oriented toward His house.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ as the true temple change where and how you approach God in prayer?
- What confidence does it give you that God's eyes are open and ears attentive to your prayers offered 'in Jesus's name'?
Analysis & Commentary
Solomon's plea concludes: 'Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.' The anthropomorphic language (eyes open, ears attentive) depicts God's active engagement with His people's prayers offered at the temple. This established the temple as the earthly locus where prayers were directed toward God's heavenly throne. Yet Jesus's teaching to the Samaritan woman (John 4:21-24) transcends location - true worshipers worship in spirit and truth, not at specific geographic sites. Christ Himself becomes the 'place' where believers approach God, the true temple mediating access to the Father.