2 Chronicles 7:19

Authorized King James Version

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
תְּשׁוּב֣וּן
H7725
But if ye turn away
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#3
אַתֶּ֔ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
וַֽעֲזַבְתֶּם֙
H5800
and forsake
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#5
חֻקּוֹתַ֣י
H2708
my statutes
a statute
#6
וּמִצְוֹתַ֔י
H4687
and my commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
נָתַ֖תִּי
H5414
which I have set
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
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
#10
וַֽהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם
H1980
you and shall go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#11
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙
H5647
and serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#12
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
H430
gods
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
#13
אֲחֵרִ֔ים
H312
other
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#14
וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִיתֶ֖ם
H7812
and worship
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#15
לָהֶֽם׃
H0

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