2 Chronicles 34:21

Authorized King James Version

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְכוּ֩
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
דִרְשׁ֨וּ
enquire
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
בַּֽעֲדִ֗י
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#6
וּבְעַד֙
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#7
הַנִּשְׁאָר֙
for me and for them that are left
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#8
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
וּבִֽיהוּדָ֔ה
and in Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
דְּבַ֣ר
concerning the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#12
הַסֵּ֥פֶר
in this book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#13
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
נִמְצָ֑א
that is found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#15
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
גְדוֹלָ֤ה
for great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#17
חֲמַת
is the wrath
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#18
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
נִתְּכָ֣ה
that is poured out
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
#21
בָ֔נוּ
H0
#22
עַל֩
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#23
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#24
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#25
שָׁמְר֤וּ
have not kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#26
אֲבוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙
H1
upon us because our fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#27
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#28
דְּבַ֣ר
concerning the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#29
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#30
לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#31
כְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#32
הַכָּת֖וּב
after all that is written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#33
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#34
הַסֵּ֥פֶר
in this book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#35
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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

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