2 Chronicles 7:22

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָֽמְר֗וּ
And it shall be answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
עַל֩
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
עָֽזְב֜וּ
Because they forsook
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
יְהוָ֣ה׀
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֣ים
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
אֲבֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
הֽוֹצִיאָם֮
which brought them forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#11
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
מִצְרַיִם֒
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#13
וַֽיַּחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙
and laid hold
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#14
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֣ים
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
#15
אֲחֵרִ֔ים
on other
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#16
וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲו֥וּ
and worshipped
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#17
לָהֶ֖ם
H0
#18
וַיַּֽעַבְד֑וּם
them and served
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
כֵּן֙
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#21
הֵבִ֣יא
them therefore hath he brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#22
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#23
אֵ֥ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#24
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#25
הָֽרָעָ֖ה
all this evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#26
הַזֹּֽאת׃
this (often used adverb)

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection