2 Chronicles 31:21

Authorized King James Version

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְכָֽל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
מַעֲשֶׂ֞ה
H4639
And in every work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#3
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
הֵחֵ֣ל׀
H2490
that he began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#5
בַּֽעֲבוֹדַ֣ת
H5656
in the service
work of any kind
#6
בֵּית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
לֵֽאלֹהָ֑יו
H430
his 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
#8
וּבַתּוֹרָה֙
H8451
and in the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#9
וּבַמִּצְוָ֔ה
H4687
and in the commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#10
לִדְרֹ֖שׁ
H1875
to seek
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#11
לֵֽאלֹהָ֑יו
H430
his 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
#12
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
לְבָב֥וֹ
H3824
it with all his heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#14
עָשָׂ֖ה
H6213
he did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
וְהִצְלִֽיחַ׃
H6743
and prospered
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

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