King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:13 in the King James Version says “And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into hi...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”

2 Chronicles 33:13 · KJV

Prayer

Context

11

Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. of the king: Heb. which were the king's fetters: or, chains

12

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13

And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

14

Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. Ophel: or, the tower

15

And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's mercy even to the worst sinner who truly repents. 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 · 15 words
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל1 of 15

“And prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר3 of 15

“unto him and he was intreated”

H6279

to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

לוֹ֙4 of 15
H0
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע5 of 15

“of him and heard”

H8085

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

תְּחִנָּת֔וֹ6 of 15

“his supplication”

H8467

graciousness; causatively, entreaty

וַיְשִׁיבֵ֥הוּ7 of 15

“and brought him again”

H7725

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם8 of 15

“to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לְמַלְכוּת֑וֹ9 of 15

“into his kingdom”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וַיֵּ֣דַע10 of 15

“knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה11 of 15

“Then Manasseh”

H4519

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

כִּ֥י12 of 15
H3588

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

יְהוָ֖ה13 of 15

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

ה֥וּא14 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃15 of 15

“he was 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

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 33:13 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 33:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5:20Ezra 8:23Matthew 7:7-8Matthew 6:33Daniel 4:25Jeremiah 29:12-13

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 33 →

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