2 Chronicles 6:27

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּ֣ה׀
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
תִּשְׁמַ֣ע
H8085
Then hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
H8064
thou from heaven
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
#4
וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜
H5545
and forgive
to forgive
#5
לְחַטַּ֤את
H2403
the sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#6
עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙
H5650
of thy servants
a servant
#7
לְעַמְּךָ֖
H5971
and of thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
תוֹרֵ֛ם
H3384
when thou hast taught
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
#11
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הַדֶּ֥רֶךְ
H1870
way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#13
הַטּוֹבָ֖ה
H2896
them the good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#14
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
יֵֽלְכוּ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#16
בָ֑הּ
H0
#17
נָתַ֥תָּה
H5414
and send
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#18
מָטָר֙
H4306
rain
rain
#19
עַֽל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
אַרְצְךָ֔
H776
upon thy land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#21
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#22
נָתַ֥תָּה
H5414
and send
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#23
לְעַמְּךָ֖
H5971
and of thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#24
לְנַֽחֲלָֽה׃
H5159
for an inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection