2 Chronicles 30:8

Authorized King James Version

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עַתָּ֕ה
H6258
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
אַל
H408
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#3
תַּקְשׁ֥וּ
H7185
Now be ye not stiffnecked
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
#4
עָרְפְּכֶ֖ם
H6203
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
#5
כַּאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
H1
as your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#6
תְּנוּ
H5414
were but yield
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
יָ֣ד
H3027
yourselves
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
#8
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
וּבֹ֤אוּ
H935
and enter
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
לְמִקְדָּשׁוֹ֙
H4720
into his sanctuary
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
הִקְדִּ֣ישׁ
H6942
which he hath sanctified
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#13
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
H5769
for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#14
וְעִבְדוּ֙
H5647
and serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#15
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
H430
your 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
#18
וְיָשֹׁ֥ב
H7725
may turn away
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#19
מִכֶּ֖ם
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#20
חֲר֥וֹן
H2740
that the fierceness
a burning of anger
#21
אַפּֽוֹ׃
H639
of his wrath
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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