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.

2 CHRONICLES 6:27KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:27 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:27 is a prayer asking God to listen from heaven, forgive the sins of His servants and the people of Israel, teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land He gave them. The verse connects forgiveness, guidance, and physical blessing (rain) as things the people need from God.

King Solomon is speaking to God during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, praying on behalf of the people of Israel. The verse shows Solomon asking God to respond when the people repent and learn to follow God’s ways, especially by providing rain, which was vital for their survival in the land God promised them.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:27

  • "hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means more than just listening; it often includes the idea of responding or acting on what is heard. Solomon is asking God not just to notice their prayers, but to take action.
  • "forgive" (סָלַח, salach): This word means to pardon or remove guilt. Solomon links forgiveness with God’s willingness to restore blessings like rain.
  • "taught" (יָרָה, yarah): This word can mean to instruct or show the way, but it also carries the sense of pointing out or directing. Solomon is asking God to actively guide the people back to the right path.
  • "rain" (מָטָר, matar): In ancient Israel, rain was a direct sign of God’s favor and necessary for crops. Mentioning rain here shows how closely spiritual well-being and physical needs were connected in their understanding.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:27 matters

  • This verse shows that forgiveness and blessing are tied to learning and following God’s ways, not just asking for help when things go wrong.
  • The prayer highlights the dependence of the people on God for both spiritual direction and daily needs like rain, underscoring the practical side of faith in ancient Israel.
  • The verse fits into Solomon’s larger prayer, which repeatedly asks God to hear from heaven and respond when the people turn back to Him, showing the temple as a place of ongoing relationship, not just ritual.

Where else these words appear

“rain” Hebrew H4306 · used in 36 verses

  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • 2 Samuel 23:4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
  • Job 38:28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

“forgive” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

“taught” Hebrew H3384 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
  • 2 Samuel 11:24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
  • Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.