King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:8 in the King James Version says “Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

2 Chronicles 33:8 · KJV


Context

6

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

7

And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

8

Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

9

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10

And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 25 words
וְלֹ֣א1 of 25
H3808

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

אֹסִ֗יף2 of 25

Neither will I any more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לְהָסִיר֙3 of 25

remove

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת4 of 25
H853

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

רֶ֣גֶל5 of 25

the foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל6 of 25

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מֵעַל֙7 of 25

from out

H5921

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

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה8 of 25

of the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 25
H834

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

הֶֽעֱמַ֖דְתִּי10 of 25

which I have appointed

H5975

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

לַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם11 of 25

for your fathers

H1

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

רַ֣ק׀12 of 25
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אִם13 of 25

so that

H518

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

יִשְׁמְר֣וּ14 of 25

they will take heed

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת15 of 25

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֚ת16 of 25
H853

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

כָּל17 of 25
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר18 of 25
H834

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

צִוִּיתִ֔ים19 of 25

all that I have commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְכָל20 of 25
H3605

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

הַתּוֹרָ֛ה21 of 25

them according to the whole law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְהַֽחֻקִּ֥ים22 of 25

and the statutes

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים23 of 25

and the ordinances

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

בְּיַד24 of 25

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֹשֶֽׁה׃25 of 25

of Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver


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 33:8 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 33:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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