2 Chronicles 6:36 Meaning: Why Solomon Admitted Everyone Sins
“If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near;
If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near;
`When they sin against Thee--for there is not a man who sinneth not--and Thou hast been angry with them, and hast given them before an enemy, and taken them captive have their captors, unto a land far off or near;
If they have sinned against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and give them up to the enemy, and they have carried them away captives unto a land far off or near;
Meaning in one sentence
Solomon’s temple prayer honestly admits that everyone sins, even God’s people. He then pleads for mercy when they are taken captive.
Context
Solomon has just finished building the temple in Jerusalem, a house for God’s name. He stands before the altar and prays a long, detailed prayer covering many situations where the people might cry out to God. In this section, he speaks of the worst case: the people sin so deeply that God allows enemies to defeat them and carry them away to a foreign land. Solomon does not pretend this could never happen. He faces it head on, because he knows something honest about the human heart. That honesty is what makes the rest of his prayer possible. He is not excusing sin. He is clearing the way for mercy.
Key Words
The Hebrew word translated “if” at the start of the verse and “for” in the middle is the same tiny word: ki. It works like a hinge. First it opens a conditional, “if they sin”, then it pivots to a reason, “for there is no man who does not sin.” Solomon is not just stating a fact. He is building a case. The word for “sin” is chata, which literally means to miss the mark, like an archer whose arrow falls short. It is not a clinical term. It is a picture of aiming at something and failing to reach it. We were made to walk with God, but we keep falling short. Solomon knows this about himself and about every person who will ever pray in that temple. That is why he does not stop with the bad news. He uses it as the ground to ask for help.
How Christians Read This Verse
Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry see this as a sober acknowledgment of original sin and a call to repentance. Catholic tradition reads it within the pattern of confession and absolution, noting that even the holiest people sin and need God’s mercy. The Eastern Orthodox Church emphasizes the corporate dimension: the whole community sins and together seeks restoration. All traditions agree that Solomon’s prayer establishes a pattern: honest confession, turning back to God, and trusting that He will hear from heaven.
A common misunderstanding
Someone might read Solomon’s words “there is no man who does not sin” and think he is making an excuse, that since everyone sins, God should just overlook it. In fact, Solomon says the opposite. He is not downplaying sin. He is naming it so that the people will not pretend. The whole point is to drive them to repentance. Right after this verse, he describes the people coming to their senses and turning back to God. The honesty about sin is meant to open the door to God’s forgiveness, not to close it.
Living This Out
This week, you might be carrying a sense of failure. Maybe you said something harsh to a family member, or you made a choice you are ashamed of. Solomon’s words invite you to stop pretending. You are not the first person to sin, and you will not be the last. But here is the hope: Solomon prayed for exactly this moment. He asked God to hear from heaven when you turn back. That turn might start with a simple prayer. “God, I have sinned. Please hear me.” You do not need to clean yourself up first. The temple was built for people like you. The prayer was spoken for moments like this.
Main takeaway: Everyone sins, so our hope rests not on our innocence but on God’s willingness to hear repentant hearts.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes we do things we know are wrong. Solomon said everyone does wrong things. But God always wants to forgive us when we say sorry and turn back to Him.
For ages 9, 12
Solomon was praying at the temple and he knew that even God’s people would make mistakes. He did not ignore that reality. He built it right into his prayer. He asked God to forgive them even when they were far away in another land because of their sin. That shows you that God does not give up on you. When you mess up, you can always pray and He will listen.
Questions People Ask
Does 2 Chronicles 6:36 teach that everyone sins?
Yes, Solomon states it plainly. The Bible consistently teaches that all human beings sin and fall short of God’s glory. This verse is one of the clearest statements in the Old Testament.
What does “deliver them to the enemy” mean?
Solomon is describing a situation where God allows a foreign nation to defeat Israel as a consequence of their persistent sin. In Israel’s history, this happened with Assyria and Babylon. It shows that sin has real consequences, but it also sets the stage for God’s mercy when the people repent.
How does this verse connect to Jesus?
Christians see in this verse the universal need for a Savior. Since everyone sins, no one can save themselves. Jesus came to take the punishment for sin and to make a way for us to be forgiven and restored to God.
Is Solomon saying that sin is inevitable and we can’t help it?
No, Solomon is not saying sin is forced on us. He is saying that in practice, every person does sin. The point is not to excuse sin but to motivate repentance. The next verses show the proper response: turning back to God with all your heart.
Why did Solomon include this in his prayer for the temple?
Solomon was thinking ahead. He knew the people would not always be faithful. He wanted the temple to be a place of forgiveness even when they failed. This verse shows that God’s house is not just for the perfect, but for sinners who need mercy.
For pastors & researchers
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