If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

2 CHRONICLES 6:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:22 describes a situation where someone has sinned against their neighbor and is required to swear an oath before God’s altar in the temple to confirm their innocence or truthfulness. The verse sets up a legal and spiritual process for resolving disputes between people, bringing the matter before God for judgment.

King Solomon is speaking during the dedication of the temple, praying to God about how the temple should be a place where justice and truth are sought. Solomon asks that when people come to the temple to settle conflicts—especially when an oath is involved—God would listen and act justly. This verse highlights the temple’s role as a center for both worship and fair judgment in Israel’s community life.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:22

  • "sin" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’): This word often means to miss the mark or do wrong, emphasizing a moral or relational failure, not just a legal mistake.
  • "oath" (אָלָה, ’ālāh): This is a solemn promise or declaration, often invoking God as a witness. The seriousness of swearing an oath in God’s presence is central to the verse’s meaning.
  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbēaḥ): The altar is the physical place in the temple where sacrifices are made and where people come to seek God’s judgment, underlining the sacredness of the process.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that disputes between individuals were not just private matters but could be brought before God, showing the intertwining of faith and justice in ancient Israel.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of making an oath before God, highlighting the expectation of truthfulness and accountability in the community.
  • Placing this request at the temple dedication connects the building itself to the pursuit of justice, not only worship, showing Solomon’s vision for the temple as a place where God’s presence brings both mercy and right judgment.

Where else these words appear

“swear” Hebrew H422 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 17:2 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son.
  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • Hosea 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

“oath” Hebrew H423 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Deuteronomy 29:21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
  • Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.