2 Chronicles 6:36

If they sin against thee, (for [there is] no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before [their] enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;

If they sin {H2398} against thee,(for there is no man {H120} which sinneth {H2398} not,) and thou be angry {H599} with them, and deliver {H5414} them over before {H6440} their enemies {H341}, and they carry them away {H7617} captives {H7617} unto a land {H776} far off {H7350} or near {H7138};

"If they sin against you - for there is no one who doesn't sin - and you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that they carry them off captive to a land far away or nearby;

When they sin against Youโ€”for there is no one who does not sinโ€”and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near,

If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:36 is a poignant part of King Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, Solomon, with profound wisdom and foresight, acknowledges the inherent sinfulness of humanity and anticipates the potential consequences should the people of Israel stray from God's commands.

Context of Solomon's Prayer

This verse is nestled within Solomon's extensive prayer found in 2 Chronicles chapter 6 (and also recorded in 1 Kings chapter 8). After the Temple's completion, Solomon dedicates it to the Lord, praying for God's presence and for His responsiveness to the prayers offered there. He covers various scenarios where the people might face hardship, including war, famine, pestilence, and significantly, exile. This particular verse addresses the grim reality of sin leading to divine judgment, specifically national defeat and captivity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Sinfulness: The parenthetical statement, "(for there is no man which sinneth not,)" is a profound theological truth. It underscores the universal human condition of sin, a concept echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Romans 3:23, which states "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God", and 1 John 1:8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves". Solomon recognizes that even a covenant people are prone to rebellion.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse clearly links sin with divine anger and disciplinary action, specifically being "delivered over before their enemies" and carried "captives unto a land far off or near." This reflects the covenant warnings found in books like Deuteronomy 28, where blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience are laid out.
  • Foresight of Exile: Solomon's prayer is remarkably prophetic, anticipating the Babylonian exile that would occur centuries later. He prays for a future generation that might find themselves in such a dire situation, setting the stage for the subsequent verses where he prays for God's mercy upon their repentance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's phrasing "(for there is no man which sinneth not,)" is a direct and forceful acknowledgment of human fallibility. While not a complex linguistic term, its placement as an interjection emphasizes its universal truth. The Hebrew underlying "sinneth not" (ื—ื˜ื - chata) broadly means "to miss the mark" or "to go astray," reinforcing the idea of a deviation from God's perfect standard.

Practical Application

This verse, though historical, offers timeless lessons. First, it reminds us of the reality of human sin and the need for humility before God. We are all prone to stray. Second, it highlights that actions have consequences; disobedience can lead to difficult outcomes, whether personal or corporate. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it sets the stage for hope. Solomon's prayer doesn't end with judgment but continues to plead for God's mercy upon repentance, as seen in the famous promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14: "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." This passage encourages us to acknowledge our failings, seek God's forgiveness, and trust in His steadfast love and redemptive power.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • James 3:2

    For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

  • 1 John 1:8

    ยถ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • 1 John 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:20

    For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

  • Psalms 143:2

    And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

  • Psalms 130:3

    If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

  • Job 15:14

    What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
โ† Back