King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:19 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:19 in the King James Version says “His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built hi...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers . the seers: or, Hosai”

2 Chronicles 33:19 · KJV

Prayer

Context

17

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

18

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.

19

His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers . the seers: or, Hosai

20

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

21

Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.

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 · 21 words
וּתְפִלָּת֣וֹ1 of 21

“His prayer”

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

וְהֵֽעָתֶר2 of 21

“also and how God was intreated”

H6279

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

לוֹ֮3 of 21
H0
וְכָל4 of 21
H3605

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

חַטָּאת֣וֹ5 of 21

“of him and all his sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

וּמַעְלוֹ֒6 of 21

“and his trespass”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

וְהַמְּקֹמ֗וֹת7 of 21

“and the places”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁר֩8 of 21
H834

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

בָּנָ֨ה9 of 21

“wherein he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בָהֶ֤ם10 of 21
H0
בָּמוֹת֙11 of 21

“high places”

H1116

an elevation

וְהֶֽעֱמִיד֙12 of 21

“and set up”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הָֽאֲשֵׁרִ֣ים13 of 21

“groves”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

וְהַפְּסִלִ֔ים14 of 21

“and graven images”

H6456

an idol

לִפְנֵ֖י15 of 21

“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

הִכָּֽנְע֑וֹ16 of 21

“he was humbled”

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

הִנָּ֣ם17 of 21
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

כְּתוּבִ֔ים18 of 21

“behold they are written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַ֖ל19 of 21
H5921

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

דִּבְרֵ֥י20 of 21

“among the sayings”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

חוֹזָֽי׃21 of 21

“of the seers”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

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 33:19 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 33:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 9:111 John 1:9Daniel 5:22Jeremiah 44:10Romans 5:162 Chronicles 36:12

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