2 Chronicles 34:31

Authorized King James Version

And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֨ד

H5975

stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

עַל

H5921

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

עָמְד֗וֹ

H5977

in his place

a spot (as being fixed)

וַיִּכְרֹ֣ת

H3772

and made

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶֽת

H853

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

הַבְּרִ֔ית

H1285

a covenant

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

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

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

the LORD

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

#10

לָלֶ֜כֶת

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#11

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י

H310

after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#12

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

the LORD

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

#13

וְלִשְׁמ֤וֹר

H8104

and to keep

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

#14

אֶת

H853

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

#15

מִצְוֹתָיו֙

H4687

his commandments

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

#16

וְעֵֽדְוֹתָ֣יו

H5715

and his testimonies

testimony

#17

וְחֻקָּ֔יו

H2706

and his statutes

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

#18

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#19

לְבָב֖וֹ

H3824

with all his heart

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#20

וּבְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#21

נַפְשׁ֑וֹ

H5315

and with all his soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#22

לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙

H6213

to perform

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#23

אֶת

H853

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

#24

דִּבְרֵ֣י

H1697

the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#25

הַבְּרִ֔ית

H1285

a covenant

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

#26

הַכְּתוּבִ֖ים

H3789

which are written

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

#27

עַל

H5921

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

#28

הַסֵּ֥פֶר

H5612

in this book

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

#29

הַזֶּֽה׃

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights covenant through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of covenant connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Chronicles.

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 covenant 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 covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the covenant theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of covenant differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?