2 Chronicles 15:7

Authorized King James Version

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Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַתֶּ֣ם H859
וְאַתֶּ֣ם
Strong's: H859
Word #: 1 of 9
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
חִזְק֔וּ Be ye strong H2388
חִזְק֔וּ Be ye strong
Strong's: H2388
Word #: 2 of 9
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 3 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יִרְפּ֖וּ be weak H7503
יִרְפּ֖וּ be weak
Strong's: H7503
Word #: 4 of 9
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
יְדֵיכֶ֑ם therefore and let not your hands H3027
יְדֵיכֶ֑ם therefore and let not your hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 9
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
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵ֥שׁ shall be H3426
יֵ֥שׁ shall be
Strong's: H3426
Word #: 7 of 9
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
שָׂכָ֖ר rewarded H7939
שָׂכָ֖ר rewarded
Strong's: H7939
Word #: 8 of 9
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
לִפְעֻלַּתְכֶֽם׃ for your work H6468
לִפְעֻלַּתְכֶֽם׃ for your work
Strong's: H6468
Word #: 9 of 9
(abstractly) work

Cross References

1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Joshua 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Hebrews 10:35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.1 Chronicles 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.Psalms 58:11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.2 John 1:8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Colossians 3:24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Analysis & Commentary

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing National spiritual renewal through decisive reform. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

Historical Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Questions for Reflection