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2 Chronicles 6:25

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Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

Then hear {H8085} thou from the heavens {H8064}, and forgive {H5545} the sin {H2403} of thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, and bring them again {H7725} unto the land {H127} which thou gavest {H5414} to them and to their fathers {H1}.

hear from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Isra'el, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.

then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to them and their fathers.

then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:25 is a poignant part of King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This specific verse addresses a hypothetical yet common scenario for ancient Israel: defeat at the hands of an enemy, leading to their being carried away captive or suffering greatly in their own land.

Context

This verse falls within a series of conditional petitions made by Solomon to God during the Temple's dedication (2 Chronicles 6:12-42). Solomon envisions various calamities—famine, plague, war, drought—that might befall Israel if they stray from God. In each scenario, he implores God to hear their prayers from the Temple and bring restoration upon their repentance. Verse 25 specifically deals with the aftermath of military defeat, where the people might be "carried away captives" or simply oppressed, and their subsequent cry for deliverance and return to their ancestral land, which God "gave to them and to their fathers" as part of His covenant promise to Abraham.

Key Themes

  • Divine Hearing and Forgiveness: The core of the plea is for God to "hear thou from the heavens" and "forgive the sin of thy people Israel." This highlights God's transcendent nature and His willingness to engage with humanity, particularly through prayer and confession. It underscores the belief that God is attentive to the cries of His repentant people.
  • Restoration to the Land: A central aspect of Israel's national identity and covenant relationship with God was their possession of the promised land. This verse emphasizes the desire for "bring them again unto the land," signifying not just physical return but also a restoration of their national well-being and covenant blessings.
  • Repentance as a Prerequisite: While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the broader context of Solomon's prayer (e.g., 2 Chronicles 6:24) implies that this divine intervention is contingent upon the people turning back to God and confessing their sins. This principle is famously reiterated in God's response to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
  • God's Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Israel's potential sin and subsequent judgment, Solomon appeals to God's enduring faithfulness to His promises made to their forefathers regarding the land and His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hear thou from the heavens" emphasizes God's sovereign dwelling place, distinct from the earthly Temple, yet His attention is directed towards those who pray there. The Hebrew word for "forgive" (סלח - salach) implies a complete pardon or remission of sin, highlighting God's mercy and grace. The act of "bringing them again" (שׁוּב - shuv) carries the double meaning of return (to the land) and repentance (turning back to God), often intertwined in Old Testament prophetic literature.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 6:25 offers timeless principles for believers today. It teaches us that:

  • God Hears Prayer: Like Solomon, we can confidently pray to God, knowing He hears our petitions from His heavenly dwelling.
  • Repentance Leads to Forgiveness: When we face difficulties or consequences of our actions, God's path to restoration always begins with genuine repentance and confession of sin.
  • Hope for Restoration: Even in dire circumstances, whether personal or collective, there is always hope for God's mercy and restoration when His people humble themselves and seek His face. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring grace and willingness to restore what was lost due to disobedience.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 33:6 (3 votes)

    Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

  • Jeremiah 33:13 (3 votes)

    In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth [them], saith the LORD.

  • Genesis 13:15 (2 votes)

    For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

  • Psalms 106:40 (2 votes)

    Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

  • Psalms 106:47 (2 votes)

    Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise.

  • Joshua 21:43 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

  • Exodus 6:8 (2 votes)

    And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I [am] the LORD.