If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

2 CHRONICLES 6:38KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:38 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:38 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:38 says that if the people of Israel, while living as captives in a foreign land, turn back to God with all their heart and soul and pray toward their homeland, the city God chose, and the temple built for Him, God will hear them. The verse highlights the importance of sincere repentance and prayer, even in exile.

King Solomon is speaking here, praying to God during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon is asking God to show mercy to Israelites who have been taken captive because of their sins, if they truly repent and direct their prayers toward the land, city, and temple God gave them. This verse is part of a larger prayer that recognizes the possibility of future disobedience and exile, but also God’s willingness to forgive those who return to Him wholeheartedly.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:38

  • "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or repent. Solomon is not just talking about a physical return, but a deep, inner turning back to God.
  • "Heart" (לֵב, lev) and "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): These words together emphasize a complete, sincere commitment—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
  • "Captivity" (שְׁבִי, shevi) and "captives" (שָׁבָה, shavah): These words stress the reality of being taken away by force, showing that even in the worst circumstances, prayer and repentance are possible.
  • "Pray" (פָּלַל, palal): This word means to intercede or plead, highlighting the act of seeking God’s favor even from afar.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:38 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 6:38 shows that God’s mercy is available even when people are far from home and suffering the consequences of their actions.
  • The verse clarifies that true repentance involves the whole person—heart and soul—not just outward actions or words.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Solomon’s prayer, which anticipates future failures but also God’s readiness to forgive and restore those who genuinely seek Him.

Where else these words appear

“captives” 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.

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.