2 Chronicles 24:18

Authorized King James Version

And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּֽעַזְב֗וּ

H5800

And they left

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת

H853

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

בֵּ֤ית

H1004

the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָה֙

H3068

of the LORD

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם

of their fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיַּֽעַבְד֥וּ

H5647

and served

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת

H853

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

הָֽאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים

H842

groves

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

#10

וְאֶת

H853

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

#11

הָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים

H6091

and idols

an (idolatrous) image

#12

וַֽיְהִי

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

קֶ֗צֶף

H7110

and wrath

a splinter (as chipped off)

#14

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#15

יְהוּדָה֙

H3063

came upon Judah

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

#16

וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

and Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#17

בְּאַשְׁמָתָ֖ם

H819

for this their trespass

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

#18

זֹֽאת׃

H2063

this (often used adverb)

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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?