2 Chronicles 6 28

2 Chronicles 6:28 kjv

If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:

2 Chronicles 6:28 nkjv

"When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is;

2 Chronicles 6:28 niv

"When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come,

2 Chronicles 6:28 esv

"If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is,

2 Chronicles 6:28 nlt

"If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people's enemies are in the land besieging their towns ? whatever disaster or disease there is ?

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 28 Meaning

2 Chronicles 6:28 is part of Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the Temple. In this verse, Solomon lists a comprehensive range of calamities—natural disasters like famine, pestilence, blight, mildew, locusts, and grasshoppers, as well as military oppression in the form of sieges by enemies, or any general plague or sickness. These specific afflictions represent potential future trials that Israel might face, understood within the biblical framework of covenant curses, indicating divine judgment for disobedience. The verse anticipates the need for God's people to turn to Him in prayer and repentance during such periods of distress.

2 Chronicles 6 28 Context

This verse is set during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in Israelite history. Chapter 6 specifically details Solomon's prayer before the congregation, asking God to uphold His covenant promises and to dwell among His people. Solomon's prayer is comprehensive, anticipating various scenarios where the people might stray and face God's discipline. Verse 28 is part of a series of petitions (verses 22-42) outlining different types of crises (sickness, defeat in war, drought, famine, pestilence, exile) and Solomon's plea for God to hear their repentance and prayers from His heavenly dwelling when they turn towards this newly consecrated Temple. The broader context of the book of 2 Chronicles emphasizes the importance of the temple and the Davidic dynasty as central to Israel's relationship with God, highlighting both God's judgment for sin and His readiness to extend mercy and restoration upon repentance. This prayer also draws heavily on the stipulations of the Mosaic covenant, particularly the blessings and curses detailed in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, where specific calamities like those listed in verse 28 are presented as consequences of disobedience.

2 Chronicles 6 28 Word analysis

• "If there is": Hebrew: כִּי (ki), meaning "for, surely, if." Here it introduces a series of hypothetical, yet highly anticipated, future scenarios. It indicates that these calamities are possibilities, implying they would be consequences of Israel's actions or God's discipline.
• "famine": Hebrew: רָעָב (ra'av). A widespread scarcity of food, often due to drought or crop failure. Biblically, famine was frequently a divine judgment or test, highlighting human dependence on God (e.g., Gen 12:10; Ruth 1:1; Jer 14:12).
• "in the land": Refers to the land of Israel, the covenant land promised by God. Its well-being was directly tied to the nation's obedience to the covenant.
• "pestilence": Hebrew: דֶּבֶר (dever). A severe, often fatal, epidemic disease or plague. Like famine, pestilence was a potent means by which God executed judgment (e.g., Num 14:12; 2 Sam 24:15; Ezek 14:21).
• "blight": Hebrew: שִׁדָּפוֹן (shiddaphon). Refers to the scorching or wilting of crops, often caused by a hot, easterly wind. This resulted in crops drying up prematurely and failing to produce.
• "or mildew": Hebrew: יֵרָקוֹן (yeraqon). Refers to the pale, yellowish discoloration of plants due to disease, akin to rust or rot. Both blight and mildew are specific crop diseases that destroy harvests, listed as curses in Deut 28:22 and Amos 4:9.
• "locust": Hebrew: אַרְבֶּה (arbeh). The destructive swarming insect capable of rapidly devouring all vegetation in its path. A classic Old Testament image of devastating divine judgment, notably described in Joel 1-2.
• "or grasshopper": Hebrew: יֶלֶק (yeleq). Possibly refers to a distinct species of locust or a stage in the locust's development (e.g., caterpillar). Like the locust, it denotes crop destruction. These agricultural scourges highlight the precariousness of life dependent on healthy harvests.
• "if their enemies besiege them": Hebrew: צוּר (tsur), "to hem in, confine." This refers to military action where an enemy surrounds a city to cut off supplies and force surrender. Sieges were among the most devastating ancient forms of warfare, leading to starvation, disease, and eventually, conquest (e.g., 2 Kgs 25:1-3).
• "in the cities of their land": Specifies the target of sieges – the urban centers of Israel, highlighting the comprehensive nature of such a calamity on the entire population.
• "whatever plague": Hebrew: מַגֵּפָה (maggephah). A broader term than pestilence, meaning a "blow," "slaughter," or general calamity/affliction from God, encompassing various forms of widespread suffering (e.g., Ex 9:14).
• "or whatever sickness there is": Hebrew: מַחֲלָה (machalah). A general term for disease or illness, personal or collective. This concluding phrase expands the list to include any form of ailment not previously specified, demonstrating a comprehensive appeal to God's intervention in any type of human suffering.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper...": This series presents calamities stemming from natural phenomena and biological scourges, often understood as directly or indirectly linked to God's providential actions or disciplinary hand. They signify a disruption of agricultural stability and health, essential for national well-being.
• "...if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land...": This phrase shifts from natural disasters to human conflict and military threats. It highlights the vulnerability of the nation to external hostile powers and the profound suffering (starvation, warfare, eventual captivity) that sieges entailed.
• "...whatever plague or whatever sickness there is...": This concluding catch-all phrase demonstrates the all-encompassing nature of Solomon's prayer. It covers any form of widespread suffering, affliction, or individual illness not explicitly listed, appealing for God's merciful response to any and all distress. This broad scope shows an understanding of God's sovereignty over all aspects of human existence and His willingness to hear His people's cries regardless of the specific nature of their tribulation.

2 Chronicles 6 28 Bonus section

• Divine Sovereignty in Suffering: The explicit listing of calamities demonstrates a worldview where God is sovereign over all aspects of life—weather patterns, crop health, spread of disease, and outcomes of war. These are not random events but can be tools in God's hands for discipline, correction, or testing.
• Preparation for the Inevitable: Solomon's prayer doesn't assume constant national blessing but realistically anticipates periods of hardship. This practical approach acknowledges the fallen nature of humanity and the inevitability of disobedience, preparing a divine protocol for how God's people should respond.
• Type of National Prayer: This verse is foundational for understanding the type of intercessory prayer offered for a nation. It serves as a model for leaders and people alike to confess sins, acknowledge God's righteous judgment, and humbly appeal for divine intervention and restoration during national crises.

2 Chronicles 6 28 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:28 articulates Solomon's deep foresight and theological understanding during the Temple dedication. He acknowledges that despite the magnificent Temple, Israel might fall into sin and experience God's covenant judgments, manifested as famine, pestilence, agricultural destruction, and enemy invasion. These specific adversities are directly from the curses of the Mosaic covenant, reminding the people that their prosperity and security are conditional upon their faithfulness to God. However, the thrust of Solomon's prayer, continued in subsequent verses, is not merely a grim prediction of judgment but a fervent plea for God's mercy. It establishes the Temple as the designated place where God would hear their confessions and repentance amidst these calamities, offering a pathway to national healing and restoration. The verse thus highlights both divine justice and divine mercy, underscoring that suffering serves as a catalyst for repentance, drawing the people back to the covenant relationship with their sovereign God.