Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

2 CHRONICLES 6:37KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:37 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:37 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:37 says that if the Israelites, while living as captives in a foreign land, come to their senses, turn back to God, and honestly admit their sins through prayer, God will hear them. The verse highlights the importance of recognizing wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness, even when far from home.

King Solomon is praying to God during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, asking God to show mercy to the people of Israel if they are ever taken captive because of their sins. Solomon describes a situation where the people realize their mistakes ("bethink themselves"), turn back to God, and confess their sins, hoping God will listen to their prayers even in exile.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:37

  • "Bethink themselves" uses two Hebrew words: שׁוּב (shuv, "to turn/return") and לֵבָב (levav, "heart/mind"). This phrase means to "bring back to heart" or "come to one's senses," emphasizing a deep, internal realization of wrongdoing.
  • "Captive" (שָׁבָה, shavah) and "captivity" (שְׁבִי, shevi) both refer to being taken away by force, highlighting the seriousness of the situation—being removed from their land because of disobedience.
  • "Sinned" (חָטָא, chata), "amiss" (עָוָה, avah), and "wickedly" (רָשַׁע, rasha) are three different Hebrew words for wrongdoing, showing that Solomon covers every kind of failure, from mistakes to intentional evil.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:37 matters

  • This verse clarifies that repentance is possible even in the worst situations, such as exile, and that God’s mercy is not limited by location.
  • The verse emphasizes the need for honest self-reflection and confession, not just outward actions, as the first step toward restoration.
  • In the larger context of Solomon’s prayer, this verse shows the hope that God will remain faithful to His people if they sincerely turn back to Him, setting a pattern for later prayers and stories in the Bible.

Where else these words appear

“amiss” Hebrew H5753 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“wickedly” Hebrew H7561 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
  • Psalms 94:21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

“captive” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.