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2 CHRONICLES 20:9 — KING JAMES VERSION 0 0
2 Chr 20:82 Chr 20:10
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
The covenant conditional — invocation of divine oath — 'If evil comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear and save' (אם תבא עלינו רעה חרב ופקדה או דבר ורעב ונעמדנו לפני הבית הזה ולפניך כי שמך בבית הזה ונזעק אליך מן הצרה ותשמע ותושיע). This verse encapsulates covenantal conditional — if evil (רעה) strikes the people, they may stand (עמד) before the temple and cry (זעק) to God. The structure mirrors the conditional of the temple dedication prayer (1 Kgs 8:37-39; 2 Chr 6:28-30, also unique to Chronicles' version). The phrase 'your name is in this house' (שׁמך בבית הזה) asserts that the divine presence, concentrated in the sanctuary, makes it a place of efficacious prayer. The covenant language assumes that God has bound himself by oath to hear his people's cry from the temple.
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