2 Chronicles 6:38
If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and [toward] the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
If they return {H7725} to thee with all their heart {H3820} and with all their soul {H5315} in the land {H776} of their captivity {H7628}, whither they have carried them captives {H7617}, and pray {H6419} toward {H1870} their land {H776}, which thou gavest {H5414} unto their fathers {H1}, and toward the city {H5892} which thou hast chosen {H977}, and toward the house {H1004} which I have built {H1129} for thy name {H8034}:
if, in the land where they were brought and are being held captive, they return to you with all their heart and being and pray to you toward their own land, which you gave to their ancestors, toward the city you chose and toward the house I have built for your name;
and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,
if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
Cross-References
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Deuteronomy 30:2
And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; -
Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. -
Joel 2:12
ยถ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: -
Joel 2:13
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. -
Jeremiah 29:12
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. -
Jeremiah 29:14
And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. -
Daniel 9:3
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Commentary
2 Chronicles 6:38 is a powerful verse from King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer, found in 2 Chronicles 6, anticipates future scenarios where the people of Israel might stray from God and face divine judgment, including exile from their land.
Context of Solomon's Prayer
This verse is part of a series of hypothetical pleas Solomon makes to God during the Temple's consecration. He foresees a time when Israel, due to disobedience, might be carried away captive by their enemies. Solomon, standing before the altar with his hands spread toward heaven, asks God to hear their prayers for forgiveness and restoration if they genuinely repent, even from foreign lands. This prayer underscores the Temple's role not just as a place of sacrifice, but as a focal point for prayer and a symbol of God's presence and covenant with His people. The broader context of this prayer is also detailed in the parallel account in 1 Kings 8:48.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase translated "with all their heart and with all their soul" (ืึผึธืึพืึฐืึธืึธื ืึผืึฐืึธืึพื ึทืคึฐืฉืึธื - kol-levavam uvekhol-nafsham) signifies total inner commitment and devotion. It's not merely a physical turning or an external act, but a profound internal transformation and desire to reconnect with God. This concept of wholeheartedness is crucial throughout the Old Testament for true spiritual return.
Practical Application
This verse offers enduring hope and a clear path to reconciliation with God. Regardless of how far one may have strayed or how difficult the circumstances, God remains ready to hear and respond to a heart that genuinely seeks Him. It teaches that true repentance is not just about regretting consequences, but about a sincere turning of the entire beingโheart, mind, and willโback to God. It reminds us that our prayers, offered with sincerity, can reach God from any place and any situation, leading to spiritual restoration and renewed relationship.
This prayer sets the stage for God's response in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which promises healing for the land if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
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