King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 7:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 7:14 in the King James Version says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wick... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. which: Heb. upon whom my name is called

2 Chronicles 7:14 · KJV


Context

12

And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

13

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

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. which: Heb. upon whom my name is called

15

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. unto: Heb. to the prayer of this place

16

For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains one of Scripture's most beloved promises: '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.' The four conditions (humble, pray, seek, turn) outline repentance's components. Humbling acknowledges sin's gravity; prayer expresses dependence; seeking God's face prioritizes relationship over benefits; turning from wickedness demonstrates genuine change. God's threefold response (hear, forgive, heal) addresses the spiritual (forgiveness) and physical (healing land) consequences of sin. While contextually about Israel and the land, the principle applies to all covenant people facing judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God spoke this at night following the temple dedication (c. 960 BCE), anticipating future apostasy. This conditional promise governed Israel's history - when they repented, God restored; when they persisted in sin, judgment came. Post-exilic Israel clung to this hope.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which aspect of repentance - humbling, praying, seeking, or turning - do you most need to practice?
  2. How does corporate repentance by 'God's people' differ from individual repentance, and where is it needed today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְיִכָּֽנְע֨וּ1 of 21

shall humble

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

עַמִּ֜י2 of 21

If my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֧ר3 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִֽקְרָא4 of 21

which are called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמִ֣י5 of 21

by my name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם6 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙7 of 21

themselves and pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ8 of 21

and seek

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

פָנַ֔י9 of 21

my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְיָשֻׁ֖בוּ10 of 21

and turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֣ם11 of 21

ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָֽרָעִ֑ים12 of 21

from their wicked

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וַֽאֲנִי֙13 of 21
H589

i

אֶשְׁמַ֣ע14 of 21

then will I hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מִן15 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם16 of 21

from heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאֶסְלַח֙17 of 21

and will forgive

H5545

to forgive

לְחַטָּאתָ֔ם18 of 21

their sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

וְאֶרְפָּ֖א19 of 21

and will heal

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

אֶת20 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַרְצָֽם׃21 of 21

their land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 7:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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