2 Chronicles 6 27

2 Chronicles 6:27 kjv

Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27 nkjv

then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27 niv

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27 esv

then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27 nlt

then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 27 Meaning

This verse is part of King Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple in Jerusalem. It outlines a petition for God's forgiveness and restoration when His people, Israel, face judgment in the form of drought or famine due to their sin. It pleads with God to "hear from heaven," pardon their transgressions, and proactively guide them in the path of righteousness. Upon their return to obedience, it requests the restoration of life-sustaining rain upon the land God promised them, signifying renewed covenant favor and prosperity.

2 Chronicles 6 27 Context

This verse is part of Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple (2 Chr 6:12-42). It immediately follows 2 Chronicles 6:26, which speaks of a time when "heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee." This prayer section outlines various covenant judgments that might befall Israel due to disobedience, and Solomon's supplication for God to hear their pleas when they turn toward the Temple and repent. The request for rain, in this context, is not merely for physical sustenance but as a tangible sign of God's renewed favor and the restoration of their covenant relationship after a period of sin and judgment. The prayer underscores the conditional nature of the covenant and God's consistent readiness to forgive upon sincere repentance. Historically, the control of rain was often attributed to pagan gods like Baal in the Canaanite fertility cults, making Solomon's plea to Yahweh for rain a subtle yet powerful polemic affirming Yahweh's sole sovereignty over nature and blessings.

2 Chronicles 6 27 Word analysis

• Then hear thou (שְׁמַע shama`): The Hebrew word "shama`" implies more than just auditory perception; it denotes attentive hearing that leads to action, indicating God's responsive nature to His people's cries. This highlights God's accessibility and His willingness to engage with human pleas.
• from heaven (הַשָּׁמַיִם shamayim): Signifies God's transcendence and His dwelling place. Although the Temple is a designated place for prayer, Solomon affirms God's unbounded omnipresence, emphasizing that His ultimate dwelling and source of power are in the heavens, from which He extends His rule and answers prayers.
• and forgive (סְלַח salach): This specific Hebrew term signifies a divine act of pardon, exclusively applicable to God's forgiveness of sin. It emphasizes that forgiveness is solely God's prerogative and requires a sovereign act of mercy.
• the sin (חַטָּאת chatta't): Meaning "missing the mark" or falling short, this term denotes the transgression against God's holy standard. The plea is not just for generic misfortune to end, but specifically for the spiritual root cause—sin—to be addressed.
• of thy servants, and of thy people Israel: This emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and His chosen nation. They are identified as those under His authority and part of His special community, highlighting a privileged relationship that makes the prayer's petitions appropriate.
• when thou hast taught (הוֹרֵיתָ horeta): Derived from the root "yarah," which is also the root for "Torah" (instruction), it signifies God's active role in guiding and instructing His people. This is not passive teaching but revealing and showing the right path, linking forgiveness not just to pardon but also to spiritual redirection.
• them the good way (הַדֶּרֶךְ הַטּוֹבָה hadderekh hațțovah): "Derekh" means way, path, or conduct, while "tovah" means good, pleasant, or morally upright. It refers to God's commandments, moral principles, and righteous living as outlined in His law. It implies a desire not just to avoid punishment but to truly live righteously.
• wherein they should walk (לָלֶכֶת lalechet): "Lalechet" (to walk) metaphorically refers to one's conduct, manner of life, or adherence to a set of principles. It highlights the practical application of God's teaching in their daily lives and moral behavior.
• and send rain (וְנָתַתָּ גֶּשֶׁם wenatata geshem): "Geshem" refers specifically to heavy, life-giving rain, crucial for agriculture in ancient Israel. The withholding of rain was a direct sign of covenant breaking and divine judgment, as seen in Deuteronomy 28. Its restoration signifies reconciliation and God's renewed blessing.
• upon thy land (אַרְצְךָ arseka): Explicitly identifies the land of Israel as belonging to God. This ownership is foundational to the covenant relationship, implying God's care and dominion over it, which extends to its fertility and prosperity.
• which thou hast given (אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּ asher natata): Highlights the land as a divine gift, not merely conquered territory. This underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, emphasizing the foundational graciousness behind His relationship with Israel.
• unto thy people for an inheritance (לְעַמְּךָ נַחֲלָה le‘ammeka naḥalah): "Nachalah" means an inheritance or an enduring possession. The land was bestowed as a perpetual legacy for generations, signifying a continuous relationship between God, His people, and the physical territory itself.

2 Chronicles 6 27 Bonus section

• The structure of Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6, moving from sin to repentance and then to the specific plea for intervention (whether war, famine, pestilence, etc.), forms a model for future national repentance in Israel's history. This framework is foundational to the prophetic calls for Israel to return to Yahweh.
• The emphasis on God teaching them the good way suggests that mere remorse is insufficient. True repentance involves a commitment to learn and walk in God's statutes. This links directly to the concept of Torah as God's instruction for righteous living, which guides behavior.
• The repeated phrase "from heaven" (2 Chr 6:21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 39) across different scenarios of judgment highlights God's transcendent power and the universality of His dominion, reassuring the supplicants that His power extends beyond the Temple walls to answer their prayers, no matter their distress or location.

2 Chronicles 6 27 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:27 distills a profound theological principle articulated throughout the Hebrew Bible: divine judgment is often remedial, intended to bring God's people to repentance, after which His forgiveness and blessings are extended. Solomon's prayer acknowledges the intimate connection between Israel's spiritual fidelity and their physical well-being. When the "heaven is shut up," causing drought (a direct covenant curse, as opposed to Baal's perceived power over rain), it is recognized as a consequence of their sin. The heart of the prayer is God's characteristic mercy: a plea to not just pardon, but actively teach them the "good way" for righteous living, reflecting God's commitment to restoration and guidance. The request for rain is thus more than an economic plea; it is a profound symbolic request for the renewal of life and covenant blessings, signifying reconciliation. It asserts Yahweh's sole authority over all aspects of life, including natural phenomena, countering any lingering beliefs in rival deities who claimed dominion over fertility and weather.