Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:

2 CHRONICLES 6:29KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:29 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:29 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:29 is part of Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon speaks to God about prayers made in the temple by an individual or by all Israel, with each person aware of their own suffering.

Following the troubles listed in verse 28, Solomon’s words make room for the particular pain each person knows. Spreading out the hands was a visible gesture of prayer; “this house” refers to the temple.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:29

  • “supplication” — תְּחִנָּה (teḥinnah): This word means a plea for favor or help. Alongside “prayer,” it brings out the sense of an urgent request.
  • “sore” — נֶגַע (negaʿ): This word can refer to a wound, disease, or affliction. Here it gives a concrete sense of the trouble a person recognizes as their own.
  • “grief” — מַכְאֹב (makʾov): This word means pain or suffering. Paired with “sore,” it gives voice to the distress known by the person who prays.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:29 matters

  • Solomon’s request includes both personal and shared prayer. He speaks of “any man” as well as “all thy people Israel.”
  • The sentence continues beyond verse 29. Solomon asks God in verse 30 to hear from heaven and respond to each person, knowing their heart.

Where else these words appear

“grief” Hebrew H4341 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
  • Psalms 69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
  • Jeremiah 30:15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

“supplication” Hebrew H8467 · used in 24 verses

  • Joshua 11:20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 8:54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

“sore” Hebrew H5061 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
  • Leviticus 14:36 Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:

“forth” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.