2 Chronicles 33:19

Authorized King James Version

His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּתְפִלָּת֣וֹ
His prayer
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
#2
וְהֵֽעָתֶר
also and how God was intreated
to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)
#3
לוֹ֮
H0
#4
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
חַטָּאת֣וֹ
of him and all his sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#6
וּמַעְלוֹ֒
and his trespass
treachery, i.e., sin
#7
וְהַמְּקֹמ֗וֹת
and the places
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#8
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
בָּנָ֨ה
wherein he built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#10
בָהֶ֤ם
H0
#11
בָּמוֹת֙
high places
an elevation
#12
וְהֶֽעֱמִיד֙
and set up
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#13
הָֽאֲשֵׁרִ֣ים
groves
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
#14
וְהַפְּסִלִ֔ים
and graven images
an idol
#15
לִפְנֵ֖י
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
#16
הִכָּֽנְע֑וֹ
he was humbled
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
#17
הִנָּ֣ם
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#18
כְּתוּבִ֔ים
behold they are written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#19
עַ֖ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
דִּבְרֵ֥י
among the sayings
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#21
חוֹזָֽי׃
of the seers
a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

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