2 Chronicles 30:9
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ
For if ye turn again
H7725
תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ
For if ye turn again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 24
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲחֵיכֶ֨ם
your brethren
H251
אֲחֵיכֶ֨ם
your brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
5 of 24
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וּבְנֵיכֶ֤ם
and your children
H1121
וּבְנֵיכֶ֤ם
and your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
פָּנִים֙
before
H6440
פָּנִים֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שֽׁוֹבֵיהֶ֔ם
them that lead them captive
H7617
שֽׁוֹבֵיהֶ֔ם
them that lead them captive
Strong's:
H7617
Word #:
9 of 24
to transport into captivity
תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ
For if ye turn again
H7725
תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ
For if ye turn again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
10 of 24
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 24
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
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָסִ֤יר
and will not turn away
H5493
יָסִ֤יר
and will not turn away
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
19 of 24
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
פָּנִים֙
before
H6440
פָּנִים֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִכֶּ֔ם
H4480
מִכֶּ֔ם
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
22 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Micah 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.Psalms 106:46He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.1 Kings 8:50And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.Nehemiah 9:17And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Historical Context
Hezekiah invited Northern Kingdom remnant (after Assyrian captivity of 722 BCE) to join Judah's Passover celebration (c. 715 BCE). This grace-filled invitation to apostate Israel demonstrated that repentance can restore even those under judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of spiritual captivity or distance from God require you to 'return to the LORD'?
- How does God's gracious and merciful character give hope for restoration after seasons of unfaithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Hezekiah's invitation to separated Israel includes powerful theology: 'For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.' The promise that repentance (shuv - return/turn) brings restoration demonstrates covenant grace. Even those already exiled can experience mercy through repentance. The divine character - gracious (channun) and merciful (rachum) - guarantees this promise. The condition 'if ye return' requires human response, but God's gracious nature makes return possible and restoration certain.