2 Chronicles 12:7

Authorized King James Version

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבִרְא֤וֹת
H7200
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
יְהוָ֨ה
H3068
And when the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
נִכְנְע֖וּ
H3665
They have humbled
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
#5
הָיָה֩
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
דְבַר
H1697
themselves the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
יְהוָ֨ה
H3068
And when the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה׀
H8098
came to Shemaiah
shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites
#10
לֵאמֹ֛ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
נִכְנְע֖וּ
H3665
They have humbled
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
#12
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
אַשְׁחִיתֵ֑ם
H7843
themselves therefore I will not destroy
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#14
וְנָֽתַתִּ֨י
H5414
them but I will grant
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
לָהֶ֤ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#16
כִּמְעַט֙
H4592
them some
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#17
לִפְלֵיטָ֔ה
H6413
deliverance
deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion
#18
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
תִתַּ֧ךְ
H5413
shall not be poured out
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
#20
חֲמָתִ֛י
H2534
and my wrath
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#21
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
H3389
upon Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#22
בְּיַד
H3027
by the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#23
שִׁישָֽׁק׃
H7895
of Shishak
shishak, an egyptian king

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection