King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:33 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:33 in the King James Version says “Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their f...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.”

2 Chronicles 20:33 · KJV

Context

31

And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32

And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

33

Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

34

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel. book of Jehu: Heb. words, etc is mentioned: Heb. was made to ascend

35

And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God fights for those who seek Him in crisis. 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 · 11 words
אַ֥ךְ1 of 11
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הַבָּמ֖וֹת2 of 11

“Howbeit the high places”

H1116

an elevation

לֹא3 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

סָ֑רוּ4 of 11

“were not taken away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

וְע֤וֹד5 of 11
H5750

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

הָעָם֙6 of 11

“for as yet the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לֹֽא7 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֵכִ֣ינוּ8 of 11

“had not prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לְבָבָ֔ם9 of 11

“their hearts”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י10 of 11

“unto the 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

אֲבֹֽתֵיהֶֽם׃11 of 11

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 20:33 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 20:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 17:62 Chronicles 19:32 Chronicles 12:14Deuteronomy 29:41 Samuel 7:32 Chronicles 30:19

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