King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:9 in the King James Version says “For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them cap... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 30:9 · KJV


Context

7

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

8

Now be ye not stiffnecked , as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. be ye: Heb. harden not your necks yield: Heb. give the hand

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.

10

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

11

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of spiritual captivity or distance from God require you to 'return to the LORD'?
  2. How does God's gracious and merciful character give hope for restoration after seasons of unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כִּ֣י1 of 24
H3588

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

תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ2 of 24

For if ye turn again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל3 of 24
H5921

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

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 24

for the LORD

H3068

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

אֲחֵיכֶ֨ם5 of 24

your brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וּבְנֵיכֶ֤ם6 of 24

and your children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לְרַֽחֲמִים֙7 of 24

shall find compassion

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

פָּנִים֙8 of 24

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

שֽׁוֹבֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 24

them that lead them captive

H7617

to transport into captivity

תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ10 of 24

For if ye turn again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָאָ֣רֶץ11 of 24

into this land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֑את12 of 24
H2063

this (often used adverb)

כִּֽי13 of 24
H3588

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

חַנּ֤וּן14 of 24

is gracious

H2587

gracious

וְרַחוּם֙15 of 24

and merciful

H7349

compassionate

יְהוָ֣ה16 of 24

for the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם17 of 24

your 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

וְלֹֽא18 of 24
H3808

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

יָסִ֤יר19 of 24

and will not turn away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

פָּנִים֙20 of 24

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

מִכֶּ֔ם21 of 24
H4480

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

אִם22 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תָּשׁ֖וּבוּ23 of 24

For if ye turn again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלָֽיו׃24 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 30:9 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 30:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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