King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 15:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 15:9 in the King James Version says “And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 15:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. the same: Heb. in that day

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

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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 · 20 words
וַיִּקְבֹּ֗ץ1 of 20

“And he gathered”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶת2 of 20
H853

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

כָּל3 of 20
H3605

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

יְהוּדָה֙4 of 20

“all Judah”

H3063

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

וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן5 of 20

“and Benjamin”

H1144

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

וְהַגָּרִים֙6 of 20

“and the strangers”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

עִמָּהֶ֔ם7 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מֵֽאֶפְרַ֥יִם8 of 20

“with them out of Ephraim”

H669

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

וּמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה9 of 20

“and Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמִשִּׁמְע֑וֹן10 of 20

“and out of Simeon”

H8095

shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him

כִּֽי11 of 20
H3588

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

נָפְל֨וּ12 of 20

“for they fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלָ֤יו13 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל֙14 of 20

“to him out of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לָרֹ֔ב15 of 20

“in abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

בִּרְאֹתָ֕ם16 of 20

“when they saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּֽי17 of 20
H3588

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

יְהוָ֥ה18 of 20

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֖יו19 of 20

“his 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

עִמּֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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 15:9 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 15:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 11:16Acts 9:31Zechariah 8:21-232 Chronicles 30:1-111 Samuel 18:281 Chronicles 12:19

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