2 Chronicles 6:37 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even in captivity, if Israelites repent and turn to pray, confessing their sin and wickedness.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 6:37
Captive Israelites can turn to God in repentance, confessing their sin and wickedness.
What Does 2 Chronicles 6:37 Mean?
Even exile is not the end of the covenant. Israelites in captivity can 'bethink themselves'—come to their senses, recognize their sin. The act of turning and praying, combined with confession ('We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly'), opens a door. Repentance does not require geographic proximity to the temple; it requires a turn of heart.
This verse is extraordinary: it assumes that exile can be spiritually productive. Separated from home, stripped of power, Israelites in captivity may finally see clearly. Their confession is thorough: they acknowledge guilt without excuse. Captivity, designed by enemies to break Israel's spirit, may instead break Israel's resistance to God and awaken genuine repentance.
2 Chronicles 6:37 in the Original Language
shuv (שוב), 'turned' — to return or repent, implying a reversal of direction toward God
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 6:37
What does 2 Chronicles 6:37 mean?
Even in captivity, if Israelites repent and turn to pray, confessing their sin and wickedness.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 6:37?
Captive Israelites can turn to God in repentance, confessing their sin and wickedness.