2 Chronicles 7:14

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיִכָּֽנְע֨וּ
H3665
shall humble
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
#2
עַמִּ֜י
H5971
If my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
נִֽקְרָא
H7121
which are called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#5
שְׁמִ֣י
H8034
by my name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#6
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙
H6419
themselves and pray
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
#8
וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ
H1245
and seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#9
פָנַ֔י
H6440
my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
וְיָשֻׁ֖בוּ
H7725
and turn
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#11
מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֣ם
H1870
ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#12
הָֽרָעִ֑ים
H7451
from their wicked
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
וַֽאֲנִי֙
H589
i
#14
אֶשְׁמַ֣ע
H8085
then will I hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#15
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#16
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
H8064
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
#17
וְאֶסְלַח֙
H5545
and will forgive
to forgive
#18
לְחַטָּאתָ֔ם
H2403
their sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#19
וְאֶרְפָּ֖א
H7495
and will heal
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
#20
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
אַרְצָֽם׃
H776
their land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection