2 Chronicles 15:8

Authorized King James Version

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְכִשְׁמֹ֨עַ

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אָסָ֜א

H609

And when Asa

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים

H1697

these words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֗לֶּה

H428

these or those

וְהַנְּבוּאָה֮

H5016

and the prophecy

a prediction (spoken or written)

עֹדֵ֣ד

H5752

of Oded

oded, the name of two israelites

הַנָּבִיא֒

H5030

the prophet

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הִתְחַזַּ֗ק

H2388

he took courage

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וַיַּֽעֲבֵ֤ר

H5674

and put away

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

#10

הַשִּׁקּוּצִים֙

H8251

the abominable idols

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

#11

מִכָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#12

אֶ֤רֶץ

H776

out of all the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#13

יְהוּדָה֙

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#14

וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן

H1144

and Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#15

וּמִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#16

הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים

H5892

and out of the cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#17

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#18

לָכַ֖ד

H3920

which he had taken

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

#19

מֵהַ֣ר

H2022

from mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#20

אֶפְרָ֑יִם

H669

Ephraim

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#21

וַיְחַדֵּשׁ֙

H2318

and renewed

to be new; causatively, to rebuild

#22

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#23

מִזְבַּ֣ח

H4196

the altar

an altar

#24

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#25

אֲשֶׁ֕ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#26

לִפְנֵ֖י

H6440

that was before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#27

אוּלָ֥ם

H197

the porch

a vestibule (as bound to the building)

#28

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?