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.
Then hear {H8085} thou from heaven {H8064}, and forgive {H5545} the sin {H2403} of thy servants {H5650}, and of thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, when thou hast taught {H3384} them the good {H2896} way {H1870}, wherein they should walk {H3212}; and send {H5414} rain {H4306} upon thy land {H776}, which thou hast given {H5414} unto thy people {H5971} for an inheritance {H5159}.
hear in heaven, forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Isra'el - since you keep teaching them the good way by which they should live -and send down rain on your land, which you have given your people as their inheritance.
then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.
then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
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1 Kings 8:35
When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: -
1 Kings 8:36
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance. -
Psalms 94:12
¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; -
Zechariah 10:1
¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. -
Jeremiah 5:24
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. -
Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein]. -
John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 6:27 (KJV)
This verse is part of King Solomon's extensive dedication prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. In this prayer, Solomon anticipates various situations where the people of Israel might sin and face divine judgment, and he appeals to God's mercy. Specifically, 2 Chronicles 6:27 addresses a scenario of drought, a common consequence of disobedience in the Old Testament.
Context
Following the completion of the magnificent Temple, Solomon leads the nation in a profound prayer of dedication. He presents the Temple not as a dwelling for God, but as a place where God's name resides and where His people can turn in prayer, especially in times of distress or sin. Verses 26-27 specifically deal with the affliction of drought, stating, "When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them; 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." This highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings based on Israel's obedience and repentance.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "the good way" translates from the Hebrew derekh tov (דרך טוב), which refers to a righteous path, a way of life that is morally upright and in alignment with God's will and commandments. It signifies more than just knowing what is right; it implies walking in that right conduct. The word "inheritance," nachalah (נחלה), underscores the idea that the land was a divinely apportioned possession, a sacred trust from God to His chosen people.
Practical Application
This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that: