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.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14KJV
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2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 7:14 mean?

2 Chronicles 7:14 describes God’s promise that if His people, who are identified by His name, humble themselves, pray, seek Him, and turn away from their wrongdoings, then He will listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and bring healing to their land. The verse highlights a direct connection between the people’s attitude and actions and God’s willingness to respond with mercy and restoration.

In this passage, God is speaking to Solomon after the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. God is explaining what the people of Israel should do if disaster or hardship comes upon them, especially as a result of their own wrongdoing. The verse sets out a clear pattern: humility, prayer, seeking God, and repentance lead to God’s attentive response and restoration for the nation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 7:14

  • "Humble" (כָּנַע, kanaʿ): This word means to bring oneself low or submit. Here, it stresses the need for genuine humility before God, not just outward actions.
  • "Seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search out or strive after. Seeking God’s "face" (פָּנִים, panim) means earnestly desiring a personal relationship and presence, not just seeking help.
  • "Turn" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to return or change direction. It points to real repentance—a change in behavior, not just feeling sorry.
  • "Heal" (רָפָא, rapha): This word means to restore or make whole. The promise is not just for personal forgiveness but for the well-being and restoration of the entire land.

Why 2 Chronicles 7:14 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often quoted as a general promise, but in context, it is specifically addressed to Israel after the temple’s dedication, showing the importance of national repentance and God’s covenant relationship with His people.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s forgiveness and restoration are not automatic; they are linked to a sincere change in the people’s hearts and actions.
  • This verse is a key part of God’s response to Solomon’s prayer, connecting the well-being of the land and nation to the spiritual condition of its people.

Where else these words appear

“humble” Hebrew H3665 · used in 32 verses

  • Leviticus 26:41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

“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 6:27 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.

“heal” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

“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.