2 Chronicles 6 37

2 Chronicles 6:37 kjv

Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

2 Chronicles 6:37 nkjv

yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness';

2 Chronicles 6:37 niv

and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly';

2 Chronicles 6:37 esv

yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, 'We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,'

2 Chronicles 6:37 nlt

But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, 'We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.'

2 Chronicles 6 verses

2 Chronicles 6 37 Meaning

This verse from Solomon's dedicatory prayer outlines a profound condition for Israel's potential restoration after divine judgment in the form of exile. It prophesies a future wherein if the people, despite being in captivity far from their land, genuinely return to God with complete sincerity of heart and soul, and direct their prayers towards the promised land, Jerusalem, and the Temple, then God would hear and respond to their plea, remembering His covenant. It emphasizes internal transformation (repentance) coupled with an external act of faith (prayer) as the pathway to divine favor and restoration from national disaster.

2 Chronicles 6 37 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 6 recounts Solomon's grand prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer, offered before the assembly of Israel, is a theological masterpiece reflecting the Deuteronomic covenant's blessings and curses. Verses 28-40 anticipate various future calamities that might befall Israel due to sin—including famine, plague, defeat in battle, and eventually, exile (addressed in verses 36-39). Verse 37, specifically, addresses the scenario of being taken captive to a foreign land. Solomon prophetically prays that even from exile, if the people genuinely repent and direct their prayers towards the Temple and the land, God would hear and bring them back. This highlights the Temple's role as a perpetual intercessory focal point, a channel for restoration, even when the people are far from it.

2 Chronicles 6 37 Word analysis

• If they return (וְשָׁבוּ, wĕ-shā·vū): Derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn back, return, repent." This signifies a complete spiritual turning away from sin and back towards God, not merely a change in location or ritualistic practice. It implies a moral and spiritual redirection. This concept is fundamental to the prophets' calls for national and individual renewal.
• to You (אֵלֶיךָ, ’ê·le·ḵā): Emphasizes the personal and direct nature of this return to the divine being, Yahweh, not to idols or human institutions.
• with all their heart (בְּכָל־לִבָּם, bə-ḵāl-liḇ·bām) and with all their soul (וּבְכָל־נַפְשָׁם, ū-ḇə-ḵāl-nap̄·šām): These phrases echo the Shema (Deut 6:5), representing the totality of one's being—intellect, emotion, will, and innermost life. "Heart" refers to the inner being, thoughts, and will, while "soul" relates to vitality, life force, and desire. Together, they demand wholehearted devotion, condemning superficiality or hypocrisy in seeking God. This stands in polemic opposition to the practices of surrounding nations where worship might be transactional or superficial.
• in the land of their captivity (בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁבְיָם, bə-’e·reṣ šiḇ·yām): Acknowledges the grim reality of foreign imprisonment and displacement. This phrase foreshadows the Babylonian Exile, demonstrating God's sovereign knowledge of Israel's future history.
• where they have carried them captives (אֲשֶׁר שָׁבוּם שֹׁבֵיהֶם, ’ă·šer šā·vūm šō·ḇê·hem): Repetition of the root "shavah" (to carry away captive) emphasizes the harsh reality and humiliation of forced relocation, highlighting the consequence of their potential disobedience.
• and pray (וְהִתְפַּלְּלוּ, wə-hiṯ·pal·le·lū): From the root פלל (palal), implying a form of self-intercession, supplication, or mediation. This is the human response to God's justice, appealing to His mercy. It establishes prayer as the central means of connection and reconciliation.
• toward their land which You gave to their fathers (דֶּרֶךְ אַרְצָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּה לַאֲבוֹתָם, de·reḵ ’ar·ṣām ’ă·šer nā·ṯat·tā la·’a·ḇō·w·ṯām): The land of Israel, intrinsically linked to God's covenant with Abraham. Directing prayer towards it signifies remembrance of divine promise and hope for restoration of the covenant blessings.
• and toward the city which You have chosen (וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ, wə·hā·‘îr ’ă·šer bā·ḥar·tā): Refers specifically to Jerusalem, "Zion," chosen by God to place His Name (Deut 12:5; Psa 78:67-69). This choice elevates Jerusalem above all other cities as the focus of Israel's spiritual longing and a sign of God's dwelling place.
• and toward the house which I have built for Your name (וְהַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר בָּנִיתִי לְשִׁמְךָ, wə·hab·ba·yiṯ ’ă·šer bā·nî·ṯî lə-šim·ḵā): The Temple. "For Your Name" implies that God's presence, character, and authority are manifested there, serving as a designated focal point for accessing His presence and receiving His grace, even from a distance. It signifies the permanent connection between God, His dwelling, and His people, regardless of their geographical location.

• "If they return...with all their heart and with all their soul": This grouping emphasizes the sincerity and completeness required for repentance. It contrasts sharply with external or superficial adherence to religious rites, asserting that God seeks an inward transformation.
• "in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captives": This repeated phrasing highlights the deep distress of exile and the specific condition under which such repentance would occur. It's a prayer anticipating judgment and providing a path out of it.
• "pray toward their land...and toward the city...and toward the house": This tripartite direction for prayer emphasizes the focal points of God's covenant: the promised land, His chosen city (Jerusalem), and His dwelling place (the Temple). It symbolically directs their faith and hope towards the divine promises and presence tied to these sacred locations, allowing them to remain connected even when physically distant.

2 Chronicles 6 37 Bonus section

• Solomon's prayer, including this verse, demonstrates a remarkable prophetic insight into the future of the nation of Israel. It foresees the cycles of sin, judgment, repentance, and restoration that would mark their history, most notably the Babylonian exile and subsequent return under figures like Ezra and Nehemiah.
• The emphasis on praying "toward" Jerusalem and the Temple is not a unique phenomenon in ancient religions but is significant within Israelite worship as it anchors faith to God's specific promises and chosen dwelling place, distinguishing it from idol worship directed at mere physical objects. It allowed a physical expression of faith and hope in the covenant.
• The phrase "for Your name" is a crucial theological concept. It means more than just a label for God; it embodies His very presence, character, authority, and redemptive activity. The Temple was built for God's Name to dwell, signifying where His essence was especially manifested among His people.
• The conditions laid out by Solomon are ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate "return" to God, making true heart-and-soul reconciliation possible for all who turn to Him (John 14:6, Rom 5:10). The New Covenant provides for a spiritual Temple and a heavenly Jerusalem, where prayer is not geographically bound but accessible through Christ (Heb 12:22, Eph 2:19-22).

2 Chronicles 6 37 Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:37 captures the theological heart of Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the Temple. It is a profound demonstration of God's justice intertwined with His steadfast mercy. The verse foresees the painful reality of Israel's future disobedience leading to national exile, yet simultaneously provides a blueprint for restoration: sincere repentance and earnest prayer. The requirement to return "with all their heart and with all their soul" underscores that superficial religious observance is insufficient; God demands genuine, complete internal transformation. Directing prayer towards the land, Jerusalem, and especially the Temple, does not imply God is confined, but rather that He has designated a place for His "Name" to dwell and a focus for His people's intercession, reminding them of His enduring covenant and promised return. This acts as a testament to God's gracious provision of a pathway back to Him, even amidst the dire consequences of sin. Daniel's practice of praying towards Jerusalem (Dan 6:10) provides a historical example of this very plea being enacted and fulfilled.