2 Chronicles 7 14

2 Chronicles 7:14 kjv

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 nkjv

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 niv

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 esv

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 nlt

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

2 Chronicles 7 verses

2 Chronicles 7 14 Meaning

2 Chronicles 7:14 is a profound conditional promise from God, delivered to Solomon after the dedication of the temple. It outlines a divine pathway for national restoration and healing. The verse states that if God's covenant people meet specific conditions—humbling themselves, praying, earnestly seeking His presence, and turning from wickedness—then God promises a direct response: to hear their prayers from heaven, to forgive their sins, and to restore the well-being and prosperity of their land. It emphasizes repentance and devotion as prerequisites for God's merciful intervention in times of distress or judgment.

2 Chronicles 7 14 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 7 follows Solomon's magnificent dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem, an event of immense national and spiritual significance for Israel. Chapter 6 records Solomon's extended prayer of dedication, in which he intercedes for the people should they turn from God and face divine judgment (e.g., famine, plague, defeat). He asks God to hear them and forgive if they humble themselves, confess their sin, and turn back to Him. Verse 7:14 is God's direct, gracious response to Solomon's heartfelt plea. The preceding verses (7:11-13) reveal that God appeared to Solomon by night, affirming His choice of the Temple as a place for sacrifices and acknowledging that specific calamities (drought, locusts, pestilence) would come upon the land as a consequence of sin. Verse 14 then presents God's path to national restoration when such judgments occur, highlighting His covenant faithfulness and His willingness to restore when His people meet His conditions for reconciliation. This passage holds immense historical weight for the Israelite nation, offering hope and a blueprint for returning to God during times of hardship or exile, affirming their unique relationship as "my people."

2 Chronicles 7 14 Word analysis

• If: Hebrew: כִּי (ki). Introduces a conditional statement. God's response is not automatic; it is contingent upon human action.
• my people: Hebrew: עַמִּי (ammi). Emphasizes God's unique covenant relationship with Israel, distinguishing them from all other nations. This implies a special responsibility and privilege.
• who are called by my name: Hebrew: נִקְרָא שְׁמִי עֲלֵיהֶם (niqra sh'mialeihem`). Literally, "upon whom My name is called." This signifies divine ownership, identification, and a sacred relationship. They bear God's reputation in the world, hence their actions reflect on Him.
• will humble themselves: Hebrew: יִכָּנְעוּ (yikkane'u). From the root cana, meaning "to be low, subdued, or humble." This refers to an inner spiritual attitude of lowliness, recognizing God's sovereignty and their dependence, and casting aside pride or self-reliance. It is an active posture of submission.
• and pray: Hebrew: וְיִתְפַּלְלוּ (v'yitpallalu). From the root palal, meaning "to intercede, entreat, judge (oneself)." It signifies intimate communication with God, expressing needs, confessions, and seeking His divine will. It's more than uttering words; it implies earnest engagement with God.
• and seek my face: Hebrew: וִיבַקְשׁוּ פָנַי (vivakshu fanay). Bakash (to seek earnestly) combined with panay (my face/presence). This indicates an intense, sincere longing for God's direct presence, favor, guidance, and intimate fellowship, not merely His blessings. It is a quest for God Himself.
• and turn from their wicked ways: Hebrew: וְיָשֻׁבוּ מִדַּרְכֵיהֶם הָרָעִים (v'yashuvu middarkehem haraim).Shuv(to turn, return, repent) is a crucial biblical concept of repentance, implying a change of direction—an active, moral turning away fromra` (evil, wickedness, harm). This involves both inner conviction and outward action.
• then I will hear from heaven: Hebrew: וַאֲנִי אֶשְׁמַע מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם (va'ani eshma min hashshamayim`). God's promised attentiveness and immediate response from His divine dwelling place. This indicates direct divine intervention.
• and will forgive their sin: Hebrew: וְאֶסְלַח לְחַטָּאתָם (v'eslakh l'khaṭṭa'atam). Salakh (to pardon, forgive). This is God's gracious act of removing guilt and releasing the people from the penalty and spiritual burden of chaṭṭa'ah (sin, missing the mark).
• and will heal their land: Hebrew: וְאֶרְפָּא אֶת אַרְצָם (v'erpa et artzam). Rapa (to heal, restore, mend). This "healing" encompasses comprehensive restoration: agricultural prosperity, relief from disease, peace from enemies, and general well-being for the land itself and for the people residing on it. It speaks to holistic national renewal from distress.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If my people, who are called by my name,": Establishes the exclusive and conditional nature of the promise for God's chosen covenant nation. It highlights a unique divine-human relationship and implies a profound identity.
• "will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,": Presents a four-fold pathway for repentance and spiritual restoration. This sequence moves from inner disposition (humility), to direct communication (prayer), to heartfelt longing for divine presence (seeking face), and finally to concrete moral action (turning from sin). Each step builds on the last, culminating in genuine, holistic repentance.
• "then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.": Outlines God's threefold guaranteed response. His immediate attention, the removal of the sin barrier, and the restoration of physical and national well-being demonstrate His faithfulness to His covenant and His desire for reconciliation and prosperity for His obedient people. The "healing of the land" symbolizes restoration across all facets of national life.

2 Chronicles 7 14 Bonus section

The phrase "heal their land" (rapa et artzam) has broader implications than just the physical soil. In the ancient Near East, the well-being of the land (fertility, protection from plague and drought) was inextricably linked to the spiritual health of its people and their obedience to God. Disobedience was understood to manifest as curses upon the land (e.g., Deut 28, Lev 26). Thus, "healing the land" implies a restoration of harmonious relationship with God that yields tangible blessings – agricultural prosperity, peace from invaders, cessation of disease, and overall national flourishing. While originally given to the physical nation of Israel and the Promised Land, the principles of repentance, seeking God, and turning from sin as prerequisites for divine intervention are timeless and applicable to the spiritual "land" of believers' lives and their communities in any age. It implies holistic well-being derived from right relationship with God.

2 Chronicles 7 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:14 serves as a timeless biblical formula for restoration and revival, both individually and corporately. It underscores the profound link between human responsibility and divine intervention. God initiates this promise in response to Solomon's prayer, yet the onus for action falls squarely on "My people." The conditions—humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and repentance from wicked ways—are not merely religious rituals but transformative heart attitudes leading to outward behavioral change. God's part—hearing, forgiving, and healing—is absolute, demonstrating His unfailing mercy and power when His conditions are met.

This verse speaks not only to the ancient nation of Israel but also carries profound application for believers and nations today. In times of national crisis, spiritual decline, or personal distress, the call remains the same: sincere, humble repentance leading to earnest prayer and a turning from ungodly ways is the pathway to divine healing and restoration. The "land" can be interpreted metaphorically as any sphere needing renewal – from personal spiritual desolation to societal brokenness or national challenges. The principle affirms God's accessibility and readiness to act when His people genuinely return to Him.

• Example: When a nation faces a severe natural disaster or epidemic, believers might be called to united prayer, coupled with introspection and a turning away from widespread societal sins, seeking God's mercy to "heal their land" from the affliction.
• Example: A church experiencing stagnation or disunity might collectively humble themselves, seek God through prayer and fasting, confess internal sins, and turn from divisive practices, anticipating spiritual healing and revival within their fellowship.
• Example: An individual struggling with persistent sin and its consequences might, in humility, confess to God, earnestly seek His presence, turn away from their sin, and experience personal forgiveness and healing in their life circumstances.