King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:7 in the King James Version says “Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while t...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.”

2 Chronicles 14:7 · KJV

Context

5

Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. images: Heb. sun images

6

And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.

7

Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

8

And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

9

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Seeking God wholeheartedly brings peace and blessing. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 25

“Therefore he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִֽיהוּדָ֜ה2 of 25

“unto Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיִּבְנ֖וּ3 of 25

“Let us build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת4 of 25
H853

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

הֶֽעָרִ֣ים5 of 25

“these cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הָאֵ֗לֶּה6 of 25
H428

these or those

וְנָסֵ֨ב7 of 25

“and make about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

חוֹמָ֣ה8 of 25

“them walls”

H2346

a wall of protection

וּמִגְדָּלִים֮9 of 25

“and towers”

H4026

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

דְּלָתַ֣יִם10 of 25

“gates”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

וּבְרִיחִים֒11 of 25

“and bars”

H1280

a bolt

עוֹדֶ֨נּוּ12 of 25
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הָאָ֜רֶץ13 of 25

“while the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְפָנֵ֗ינוּ14 of 25

“is yet before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּ֤י15 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

דָּרַ֕שְׁנוּ16 of 25

“us because we have sought”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

אֶת17 of 25
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה18 of 25

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ19 of 25

“our God”

H430

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

דָּרַ֕שְׁנוּ20 of 25

“us because we have sought”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

וַיָּ֥נַֽח21 of 25

“him and he hath given us rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

לָ֖נוּ22 of 25
H0
מִסָּבִ֑יב23 of 25

“on every side”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וַיִּבְנ֖וּ24 of 25

“Let us build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וַיַּצְלִֽיחוּ׃25 of 25

“and prospered”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 14:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 14:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 3:122 Chronicles 14:61 Chronicles 28:9Jeremiah 29:12-14John 12:35-362 Chronicles 14:4

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