King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:15 in the King James Version says “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 th...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 33:15 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

17

Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 19 words
וַ֠יָּסַר1 of 19

“And he took away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

אֱלֹהֵ֨י3 of 19

“gods”

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

הַנֵּכָ֤ר4 of 19

“the strange”

H5236

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

וְאֶת5 of 19
H853

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

הַסֶּ֙מֶל֙6 of 19

“and the idol”

H5566

a likeness

בֵּית7 of 19

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה8 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְכָל9 of 19
H3605

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

הַֽמִּזְבְּח֗וֹת10 of 19

“and all the altars”

H4196

an altar

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 19
H834

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

בָּנָ֛ה12 of 19

“that he had built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בְּהַ֥ר13 of 19

“in the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

בֵּית14 of 19

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם16 of 19

“and in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּשְׁלֵ֖ךְ17 of 19

“and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

ח֥וּצָה18 of 19

“them out”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לָעִֽיר׃19 of 19

“of the city”

H5892

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

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 33:15 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 33:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 33:3-72 Kings 21:7Ezekiel 18:20-22Hosea 14:1-3Matthew 3:8Isaiah 2:17-21

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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