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,

2 CHRONICLES 6:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:13 describes how Solomon took his place to pray during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. The verse shows the king praying in public: he knelt on a raised bronze platform, in view of the assembled people of Israel, and held his hands toward heaven.

The platform stood in the temple court, an open area where the people could gather. Solomon first stood on it and then knelt, so the verse lets readers picture the change in his posture as he prepared to speak.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:13

  • “scaffold” — כִּיּוֹר (kiyyor): The word can refer to a basin or a stand. Here, the dimensions and Solomon’s position upon it point to a raised platform, not the temporary structure that “scaffold” may suggest to a modern reader.
  • “hands” — כַּף (kaf): The word often refers to the palm of the hand. Solomon’s gesture pictures his hands spread out toward heaven as he prays.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:13 matters

  • The platform was a substantial, square structure. Its measurements were five cubits by five cubits and three cubits high—roughly seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high, though the length of a cubit could vary.
  • Solomon’s prayer was visible to the gathered people. The phrase “before all the congregation of Israel” places his posture within a public gathering rather than a private scene.
  • The verse connects Solomon’s gestures with the words that follow. His hands are directed “toward heaven,” and in verse 14 he begins addressing the Lord.

Where else these words appear

“court” Hebrew H5835 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 4:9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
  • Ezekiel 43:14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
  • Ezekiel 43:20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.

“scaffold” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
  • Exodus 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
  • 1 Kings 7:38 Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

“knees” Hebrew H1290 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
  • 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
  • Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

“high” Hebrew H6967 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
  • 2 Chronicles 4:2 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.