King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 15:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 15:8 in the King James Version says “And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. abominable: Heb. abominations

2 Chronicles 15:8 · KJV


Context

6

And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. destroyed: Heb. beaten in pieces

7

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

8

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. abominable: Heb. abominations

9

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

10

So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing National spiritual renewal through decisive reform. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 28 words
וְכִשְׁמֹ֨עַ1 of 28

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אָסָ֜א2 of 28

And when Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים3 of 28

these words

H1697

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

הָאֵ֗לֶּה4 of 28
H428

these or those

וְהַנְּבוּאָה֮5 of 28

and the prophecy

H5016

a prediction (spoken or written)

עֹדֵ֣ד6 of 28

of Oded

H5752

oded, the name of two israelites

הַנָּבִיא֒7 of 28

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הִתְחַזַּ֗ק8 of 28

he took courage

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וַיַּֽעֲבֵ֤ר9 of 28

and put away

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

הַשִּׁקּוּצִים֙10 of 28

the abominable idols

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

מִכָּל11 of 28
H3605

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

אֶ֤רֶץ12 of 28

out of all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָה֙13 of 28

of Judah

H3063

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

וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן14 of 28

and Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמִן15 of 28
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים16 of 28

and out of the cities

H5892

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָכַ֖ד18 of 28

which he had taken

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

מֵהַ֣ר19 of 28

from mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרָ֑יִם20 of 28

Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיְחַדֵּשׁ֙21 of 28

and renewed

H2318

to be new; causatively, to rebuild

אֶת22 of 28
H853

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

מִזְבַּ֣ח23 of 28

the altar

H4196

an altar

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֕ר25 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִפְנֵ֖י26 of 28

that was 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

אוּלָ֥ם27 of 28

the porch

H197

a vestibule (as bound to the building)

יְהוָֽה׃28 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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


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 15:8 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 15:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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