2 Chronicles 6:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

If there be dearth {H7458} in the land {H776}, if there be pestilence {H1698}, if there be blasting {H7711}, or mildew {H3420}, locusts {H697}, or caterpillers {H2625}; if their enemies {H341} besiege {H6887} them in the cities {H8179} of their land {H776}; whatsoever sore {H5061} or whatsoever sickness {H4245} there be:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If there is famine in the land, or blight, windstorm, mildew, locusts or shearer-worms; or if their enemies besiege them in any of their cities - no matter what kind of plague or sickness it is;

Berean Standard Bible

When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemies besiege them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,

American Standard Version

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague or whatsoever sickness there be;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon, in his monumental prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, anticipates a range of national calamities that might befall Israel. In 2 Chronicles 6:28, he specifically enumerates various forms of natural disaster and warfare—famine, disease, agricultural blights, insect plagues, and enemy sieges—as potential afflictions. This verse serves as a crucial foundational clause within a series of conditional pleas, setting the stage for Solomon's earnest request that God would hear and respond from heaven when His people, facing such distress, turn in repentance towards this sacred house.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Solomon's extensive dedicatory prayer for the Temple, spanning [2 Chronicles 6:12-42](/2_chronicles/6-12 "2 Chronicles 6:12-42 - Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer"). Following the glorious completion and consecration of the Temple, and the descent of God's glory ([2 Chronicles 5:1-14](/2_chronicles/5-1 "2 Chronicles 5:1-14 - The Ark Brought to the Temple")), Solomon stands before the altar and offers a profound prayer. The prayer is structured as a series of hypothetical scenarios where Israel might face various forms of distress—whether due to sin, external threats, or natural calamities—and for each, Solomon appeals to God to hear their prayers when they turn towards the Temple. Verse [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") initiates a sequence of specific disasters, leading into the plea for divine intervention and forgiveness found in subsequent verses, such as [2 Chronicles 6:30](/2_chronicles/6-30 "2 Chronicles 6:30 - God's Hearing and Forgiveness"). This structure highlights the Temple's role not merely as a dwelling place for God's name, but as a focal point for national intercession and repentance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, including Israel, was an agrarian society highly dependent on consistent rainfall and favorable environmental conditions. Famine ("dearth"), pestilence, and crop destruction were ever-present threats that could devastate a population. Similarly, warfare and siege were common instruments of political power and conquest, bringing immense suffering. Within Israel's covenantal framework, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), these calamities were often understood not merely as random occurrences but as potential consequences of covenant disobedience or, conversely, as trials through which God might refine His people. The construction of the Temple was a monumental undertaking, symbolizing the establishment of God's dwelling among His people and the centralization of worship. Solomon's prayer reflects the deep-seated belief that God was actively involved in the nation's affairs and that the Temple served as the primary nexus for communication between God and His people, particularly in times of national crisis.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") contributes to several overarching themes within Solomon's prayer and the broader book of Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Calamity**, acknowledging that God holds ultimate control over natural phenomena and the outcomes of human conflict. Secondly, it highlights the **Conditional Nature of the Covenant**, where blessings and curses, including these specific afflictions, are tied to Israel's obedience or disobedience, a concept deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience")). Thirdly, the verse reinforces the **Temple as a Place of Intercession and Repentance**, portraying it as the designated locus where the nation could turn to God in times of distress, seeking His mercy and intervention. This theme culminates powerfully in God's response in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing"), which directly follows this prayer, promising healing for the land if His people humble themselves and pray. Finally, it speaks to the **Reality of National Suffering**, recognizing the diverse forms of hardship that a community might face, from agricultural ruin to widespread disease and the horrors of war.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dearth (רָעָב, _ra'av'_):** This Hebrew term refers to a severe scarcity of food, a famine. In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, a famine was one of the most devastating calamities, leading to widespread starvation, social unrest, and death. It is often listed alongside other divine judgments in the Old Testament, signifying a breakdown of the natural order and a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - Famine, Sword, and Pestilence")).
* **Pestilence (דֶּבֶר, _dever'_):** This word denotes a plague or widespread epidemic disease, often resulting in high mortality. Like famine, pestilence was frequently understood as a direct act of divine judgment or a consequence of sin, capable of decimating populations and disrupting societal function (e.g., [Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "Exodus 9:3 - The Plague on Livestock")).
* **Locusts (אַרְבֶּה, _'arbeh'_):** This specific term refers to a type of swarming grasshopper known for its destructive migratory patterns. Locust plagues were a terrifying and common threat in the ancient Near East, capable of devouring all vegetation in their path, leading to agricultural ruin and famine. Their inclusion here highlights the vulnerability of the land's produce to environmental scourges, often seen as instruments of divine discipline (e.g., [Joel 1:4](/joel/1-4 "Joel 1:4 - The Locust Plague")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence":** Solomon begins by listing two of the most common and devastating natural disasters: famine and widespread disease. These were existential threats to ancient societies, capable of causing immense suffering and societal collapse. The repetition of "if there be" introduces a series of conditional clauses, anticipating various future scenarios.
* **"if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers":** This clause expands on agricultural calamities. "Blasting" (שִׁדָּפוֹן, _shiddaphon_) refers to the scorching of crops by hot winds or blight, while "mildew" (יֵרָקוֹן, _yeraqon_) describes a yellowing or rotting of plants due to fungal disease. "Locusts" and "caterpillars" (יֶלֶק, _yeleq_, often a type of destructive insect like a cankerworm or creeping locust) represent insect infestations that consume crops. Together, these describe a comprehensive agricultural catastrophe, leading directly to famine.
* **"if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land":** Solomon shifts from natural and agricultural disasters to human-inflicted suffering: warfare, specifically the devastating act of siege. A siege was a prolonged military blockade of a city, designed to starve its inhabitants into submission, often leading to extreme hardship, disease, and eventual conquest. This acknowledges external threats as another significant source of national distress.
* **"whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness [there be]:"** This concluding phrase serves as a catch-all, encompassing any other form of severe affliction or illness not specifically mentioned. It demonstrates Solomon's comprehensive anticipation of all possible forms of national suffering, whether physical, social, or environmental, that might drive the people to seek God's intervention.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, seen in the repeated "If there be" (or "if there be") at the beginning of successive clauses. This repetition creates a rhythmic, emphatic tone, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the anticipated calamities and building a sense of solemn gravity. Closely related is **Cataloging**, as Solomon systematically lists various forms of distress, moving from general scarcity and disease to specific agricultural blights, insect plagues, and finally, external military threats. This detailed enumeration underscores the breadth of potential national suffering. There is also a strong element of **Parallelism**, particularly in the pairing of "dearth" and "pestilence," and the grouping of agricultural scourges ("blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers"). This structural balance enhances the poetic quality of the prayer and reinforces the idea of comprehensive judgment or trial. The overall structure of the passage, with its series of "if...then" clauses (where the "then" is implied as a turning to God), exemplifies a **Conditional Clause Structure**, foundational to covenant theology, where human action (or inaction) elicits divine response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Solomon's prayer in [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") is deeply rooted in the covenant theology of the Old Testament, particularly the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience"). It reflects the understanding that national prosperity and adversity were often directly linked to Israel's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The anticipated calamities—famine, plague, agricultural destruction, and war—were not seen as random misfortunes but as potential divine instruments of discipline, intended to bring the people to repentance. The Temple, therefore, was not merely a place of sacrifice but a spiritual compass, a focal point towards which the people could turn in their distress, confess their sins, and seek God's mercy and healing for their land. This prayer establishes a profound theological principle: divine judgment is often remedial, designed to restore relationship and prompt humility and repentance.

* [Leviticus 26:18-20](/leviticus/26-18 "Leviticus 26:18-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:21-25](/deuteronomy/28-21 "Deuteronomy 28:21-25 - Curses of Disease and Defeat")
* [Joel 1:4-7](/joel/1-4 "Joel 1:4-7 - The Devastation of Locusts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer in [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that suffering, whether personal or collective, is an inherent part of the human experience in a fallen world. While we live under a new covenant, the principle of turning to God in times of distress remains timeless. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing His sovereignty over all circumstances, including natural disasters, economic downturns, and global pandemics. It calls us to intercessory prayer for our communities and nations, especially when facing hardship, understanding that God hears the cries of His people. Just as the Temple was the focal point for Israel's prayers, our hearts, through Christ, become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy and finding grace to help in time of need. Our response to adversity should not be despair, but a renewed turning to the Lord in repentance and faith, trusting in His compassion and power to heal and restore.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's comprehensive list of calamities resonate with the challenges and crises faced by our world today?**
* **In what ways do we, as individuals or as a community of faith, tend to respond to hardship, and how might Solomon's prayer reorient our approach?**
* **What does it mean for us to "turn towards the Temple" in a New Covenant context when facing personal or national distress?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper practice of intercessory prayer for our communities and nations, especially in times of widespread suffering?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that all suffering is a direct punishment from God for sin?**

Answer: While [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") and the broader Old Testament covenant framework often link national calamities to Israel's disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), it's crucial to avoid a simplistic "cause-and-effect" interpretation for all suffering. In the Old Testament, these "curses" were specific covenant stipulations for a unique nation. In the New Testament, while sin still has consequences, and God does exercise discipline, not all suffering is a direct, individual punishment for a specific sin. [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-3 - Healing of the Man Born Blind") shows Jesus correcting the assumption that a man's blindness was due to his or his parents' sin. Suffering can be for God's glory, for refinement, to test faith, or simply a reality of living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")). Solomon's prayer acknowledges that these calamities *could* be a result of sin, prompting repentance, but it also reflects the general vulnerability of humanity to natural disasters and conflict.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Chronicles 6:28](/2_chronicles/6-28 "2 Chronicles 6:28 - Anticipated Calamities") details the anticipated suffering of Old Covenant Israel and their turning to the Temple, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual resonance are found in Christ. The Temple, as the dwelling place of God's name and the focal point of intercession, foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who is the true and ultimate Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). In Him, God's presence fully dwells among humanity, and through Him, we have direct access to the Father ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). The various forms of suffering listed by Solomon—famine, pestilence, and warfare—are all consequences of a fallen world, a world that groans under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")). Christ, however, entered into this suffering world, experiencing its full brunt, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He is the great High Priest who intercedes for us eternally in the heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), making our prayers heard. Moreover, His atoning sacrifice provides the ultimate "healing for the land"—not just physical restoration, but spiritual reconciliation and the promise of a new heavens and new earth where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")). Thus, when we face "whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness," we turn not to a physical temple, but to Christ, our compassionate High Priest and the source of all healing and hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 5:13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Joel 2:25

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Revelation 9:3

And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

Revelation 9:11

And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.

Ruth 1:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Deuteronomy 28:21

The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

Deuteronomy 28:61

Also every sickness, and every plague, which [is] not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.