Asa Strengthened by Prophecy and Covenant Renewal
2 Chronicles 15:1-19
2 C.15.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועזריהו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עודד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 3:10 (verbal): Reports 'the Spirit of the Lord came upon' Othniel—paralleling the wording and motif of God's Spirit coming upon a leader to empower him.
- Judges 6:34 (verbal): Says 'the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon'—a close verbal and thematic parallel of divine empowerment like that attributed to Azariah.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (verbal): Describes 'the Spirit of God came upon Saul' and he prophesied—another instance of the Spirit's coming upon an individual in a commissioning/prophetic role.
- Numbers 11:25 (structural): Records the Spirit of the LORD falling on the seventy elders so they prophesied—provides the wider structural pattern of God's Spirit being given to leaders/agents of change.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20 (verbal): Within Chronicles itself: 'the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah'—a closely parallel phrasing and theological theme linking prophetic activity and royal/clerical instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- Azariah son of Oded came to him; the Spirit of God was upon him.
- Azariah son of Oded came to him, and the Spirit of God was upon him.
2 C.15.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שמעוני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg,obj:1,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובנימן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- בהיותכם: PREP+NOUN,sg,m,abs,sfx(2,m,pl)
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואם: CONJ
- תדרשהו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl,sfx(3,m,sg)
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- ואם: CONJ
- תעזבהו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl,sfx(3,m,sg)
- יעזב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (verbal): Promises that if the people seek the LORD sincerely they will find him — echoes the 'if you seek him he will be found by you' wording and concept.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (verbal): 'You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart' repeats the same seek-and-find assurance found in Asa's exhortation.
- 1 Kings 9:6-7 (structural): A covenantal conditional: if Israel or David's descendants forsake God, judgment and removal from the land will follow — parallels the warning that forsaking God leads to God forsaking them.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (thematic): Assurance of God's presence with his people ('he will not fail or forsake you') relates to the theme of God's presence being tied to the people's relationship with him (complements the reciprocal promise).
- Isaiah 1:19-20 (thematic): A conditional pattern: willingness and obedience bring blessing, refusal brings punishment — parallels the 'if you seek him... if you forsake him...' structure and outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- He went out before Asa and said to him: Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin — the LORD is with you while you are with him; if you seek him you will find him, but if you forsake him he will forsake you.
- He went out before Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."
2 C.15.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללא: PREP
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וללא: CONJ+PREP
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- מורה: VERB,qal,ptcp,NA,m,sg
- וללא: CONJ+PREP
- תורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 17:6 (structural): Both texts describe a period of religious/political vacuum in Israel (no central leadership), resulting in disorder and lack of proper worship — 'no king in Israel' parallels the absence of true God/teaching in 2 Chr 15:3.
- Hosea 3:4 (verbal): Hosea lists Israel’s prolonged absence of proper religious institutions ('without king or prince, without sacrifice...'), echoing 2 Chr 15:3’s catalogue of lacking the true God, priestly instruction, and the law.
- Jeremiah 2:8 (thematic): Jeremiah laments priests and law‑keepers who fail to acknowledge God or know the law ('those who handle the law knew me not'), paralleling 2 Chr 15:3’s complaint about no priest to teach and no knowledge of the law.
- Amos 8:11 (thematic): Amos predicts 'a famine... not of bread but of hearing the words of the LORD,' which thematically parallels the absence of prophetic/teaching instruction and access to God’s word described in 2 Chr 15:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- For many days Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest and without the law.
- For many days Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law.
2 C.15.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בצר: PREP
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבקשהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl,3,m,sg
- וימצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 29:13 (verbal): “You will seek me and find me” — a direct promise that seeking God results in finding him, closely matching Asa’s experience of seeking the LORD and finding him.
- Isaiah 55:6 (verbal): “Seek the LORD while he may be found” — an exhortation using the same seek/find language, emphasizing timely seeking of God.
- Matthew 7:7 (verbal): “Seek, and you will find” — NT echo of the OT motif that earnest seeking of God (or God’s will) results in discovery; parallels the outcome in 2 Chr 15:4.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19 (structural): David’s charge to set heart and soul to seek the LORD parallels the royal/communal call to seek God in Chronicles and the kingly/temple-centered reform context of Asa’s seeking.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet they returned to the LORD, the God of Israel; they sought him, and he was found by them.
- Yet when they humbled themselves, sought the LORD God of Israel, and searched for him, he was found by them.
2 C.15.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובעתים: CONJ+ADV
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- אין: PART,neg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליוצא: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- ולבא: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מהומת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- יושבי: PTC,qal,ptc,mp,cons
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 57:20-21 (verbal): Declares 'The wicked are like the troubled sea... There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked,' a near-verbatim theological statement about absence of peace.
- Isaiah 48:22 (verbal): 'There is no peace, says the LORD, to the wicked' — the same formulaic pronouncement linking moral condition and lack of peace.
- Deuteronomy 28:65-66 (structural): Part of the covenant curses describing nations coming against Israel so that there is 'no rest' and constant fear in coming and going—structurally parallel to widespread unrest in 2 Chr 15:5.
- Jeremiah 6:14 (verbal): Condemns false assurances of 'Peace, peace' where 'there is no peace'—a rhetorical parallel highlighting societal turmoil and deceptive claims of safety.
Alternative generated candidates
- In those days there was no peace for him who went out or for him who came in, for great commotion was among all the inhabitants of the lands.
- In those days there was no peace for him who went out or came in, for great tumult prevailed among all the inhabitants of the lands.
2 C.15.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכתתו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועיר: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,const
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הממם: VERB,hif,ptcp,0,m,sg,def
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Matthew 24:7 (verbal): “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” — Jesus uses the same wording about wars as a sign of tribulation, echoing the OT phraseology.
- Luke 21:10 (verbal): Parallel of Jesus’ saying: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” repeating the OT motif of inter‑national and urban strife.
- Isaiah 19:2 (thematic): “And I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians… city against city” — prophetic image of internal and civic conflict as an instrument of God’s judgment, closely resembling the Chronicle’s wording.
- Psalm 46:6 (thematic): “Nations were in an uproar, kingdoms tottered” — depicts international upheaval and instability brought about by divine action, thematically akin to 2 Chr 15:6.
- Deuteronomy 28:25 (thematic): As part of the curses: God will cause defeat and scattering before enemies — connects to the idea that God brings war and smiting as judgment on nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nation pressed against nation and city against city, for God was confounding them in every strait.
- Nation struck nation and city struck city, for God was troubling them with every kind of distress.
2 C.15.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- חזקו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- ירפו: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,pl
- ידיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפעלתכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 6:9 (verbal): Same exhortation not to become weary in doing good and the promise of a reward/harvest if one does not give up (’let us not be weary…we shall reap’).
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (thematic): Calls believers to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work because their labor is not in vain—echoes assurance of reward for faithful toil.
- Hebrews 6:10 (thematic): Affirms that God will not forget your work and labor of love, providing a divine guarantee that faithful effort will be acknowledged and rewarded.
- Proverbs 14:23 (verbal): States that in all labor there is profit, contrasting empty talk with the tangible reward of work—parallels the promise that one’s deeds will receive recompense.
- Joshua 1:9 (structural): Uses the imperative to ‘be strong and courageous’ (’chazak’) similar to 2 Chronicles’ opening command ‘be strong, and let not your hands be weak,’ linking exhortation to endurance and action.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for there is reward for your labor.
- But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for there is a reward for your labor.
2 C.15.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכשמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- והנבואה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- התחזק: VERB,hitpael,impv,2,m,sg
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- השקוצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מכל: PREP
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובנימן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחדש: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפני: PREP
- אולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:12 (verbal): Parallel narrative of Asa’s reforms: removal of foreign altars, high places, images and groves. Language and actions closely mirror Chronicles’ account of purging abominations.
- 2 Chronicles 14:3-5 (structural): Earlier summary in Chronicles of Asa’s reform activity (taking away altars, breaking images, cutting down groves, fortifying cities) — same reform motif continued in 2 Chr 15:8.
- 2 Kings 23:4-12 (thematic): Josiah’s purge of idolatry and removal of high places and Asherah poles; thematically parallels a king-led, covenantal cleansing of the land and restoration of proper worship.
- 2 Chronicles 29:3-11 (thematic): Hezekiah’s temple cleansing and removal of idolatry and altars; similar pattern of a righteous king responding to covenant duty by repairing the altar and eliminating abominations.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded, he was strengthened; he removed the abominations from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had taken from the hill country of Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the LORD that stood before the court of the LORD.
- When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he was strengthened. He removed the abominations from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had taken from Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the LORD that was before the court of the LORD.
2 C.15.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובנימן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והגרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- עמהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מאפרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומנשה: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ומשמעון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בראתם: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:9-14 (structural): Parallel account of King Asa’s reign in the Books of Kings; recounts the same reforms and the turning of people to Asa—corresponding narrative to Chronicles’ report that many from Israel rallied to him because the LORD was with him.
- 2 Chronicles 15:8 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel within Chronicles: the preceding verse describes Asa’s distribution of resources and reforms that precipitated the gathering of Judah, Benjamin and others described in v.9.
- 2 Chronicles 30:1-11 (thematic): Hezekiah’s passover invitation draws people from Ephraim, Manasseh and other parts of Israel to Judah and Jerusalem—a similar motif of Israelites joining Judah in religious/political realignment.
- 1 Chronicles 12:1-22 (verbal): Lists men from various tribes who joined David at Hebron ‘because they saw that the LORD was with him’—the same explanatory formula and motive (seeing the LORD’s presence leading to people rallying to a leader) found in 2 Chr 15:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those sojourning with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon; for great numbers from Israel had come to him, for the LORD his God was with him.
- He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the sojourners with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon; for many from Israel had come to him, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 C.15.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- השלישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- לשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- למלכות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:9-15 (structural): Parallel account of King Asa’s reign and reform efforts; Chronicles’ dating (fifteenth year) corresponds to the narrative preserved in Kings.
- Exodus 19:1 (verbal): Uses the same temporal phrase ‘in the third month’ describing a major national gathering (Israel at Sinai); a verbal/time-marker parallel for gatherings in a specified month.
- 2 Chronicles 30:2-5 (thematic): Hezekiah’s call to gather Judah (and remnants of Israel) to Jerusalem for Passover—a royal-initiated, nationwide religious assembly and renewal like Asa’s gathering.
- Nehemiah 8:1-2 (thematic): A large, city-wide assembly in Jerusalem for religious instruction and reform (‘all the people gathered as one’); parallels the civic-religious character of gatherings recorded under the kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
- They gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
2 C.15.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזבחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מן: PREP
- השלל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הביאו: VERB,hiphil,imperat,2,m,pl
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וצאן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 29:21 (thematic): Hezekiah's national consecration includes large, organized sacrifices (e.g., sevens of bulls, rams, lambs) and public offering to the LORD—paralleling mass sacrificial response after reform/victory.
- 1 Samuel 30:20-31 (thematic): After recovering spoils, David and his men distribute and dedicate portions, and give gifts to others—similar use of war spoil for offerings and communal distribution.
- Numbers 31:25-41 (structural): Legal regulations for dividing spoils of war and setting aside a portion for the LORD and the community—structural precedent for dedicating booty as an offering.
- 1 Chronicles 29:20-22 (thematic): The people freely bring abundant offerings (cattle and sheep) for the building and dedication of the house of the LORD—parallels the voluntary bulk sacrifices reported in 2 Chronicles 15:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day they sacrificed to the LORD from the spoil they had brought: seven hundred cattle and seven thousand sheep.
- On that day they sacrificed to the LORD from the plunder they had brought: seven hundred head of cattle and seven thousand sheep.
2 C.15.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בברית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לדרוש: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (verbal): Echoes the exact promise-language: if you seek the LORD with all your heart and all your soul you will find him — close verbal and theological parallel to 'to seek the LORD... with all their heart and with all their soul.'
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (verbal): Commands wholehearted devotion to God ('with all your heart and with all your soul'), supplying the core ethical phrasing that 2 Chronicles uses in the covenant-renewal context.
- Psalm 119:10 (verbal): Personal declaration of seeking God 'with my whole heart,' reflecting the same covenantal piety and wholehearted seeking found in 2 Chr 15:12.
- Nehemiah 9:38 (structural): Describes the leaders and people entering into a written covenant to follow God's law — a parallel episode of communal covenant renewal and commitment to seek and obey the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul.
- They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.
2 C.15.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידרש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- למן: PREP
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- למאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 13:6-11 (thematic): Legal command to put to death anyone (even close relatives) who entices Israel to serve other gods—parallel theme of capital punishment for refusal to seek Yahweh and for idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (thematic): Provision for destroying an entire town and executing its inhabitants for leading Israel into idolatry—communal enforcement against those who would not seek the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-7 (thematic): Law prescribing death for one who leads the people to serve other gods, with requirements for witnesses and due process—another legal parallel for capital measures against apostasy.
- 1 Kings 18:40 (thematic): Narrative instance where Elijah executes the prophets of Baal after calling Israel back to Yahweh—historical parallel of removing and killing those promoting false worship.
- Exodus 22:20 (verbal): Statement that anyone who sacrifices to other gods shall be 'devoted to destruction'—a concise legal/verbal correlate to the death penalty for idolatry in 2 Chr 15:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, was to be put to death — whether small or great, man or woman.
- And whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
2 C.15.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ובתרועה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובחצצרות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובשופרות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 15:28-29 (verbal): Describes Israel's procession with shouting and the sound of trumpets as the ark is brought up—directly parallels the combination of loud voice/shouting and trumpets in public worship.
- Joshua 6:16, 20 (verbal): At Jericho the people 'shouted' at the blast of the trumpets; the pairing of shout and trumpets in a communal liturgical/ceremonial act echoes 2 Chr 15:14.
- Psalm 98:6 (verbal): Calls for making a joyful noise 'with trumpets and the sound of the horn'—a liturgical formula that parallels the use of trumpets together with loud acclamation.
- 2 Chronicles 29:28-30 (thematic): Hezekiah's temple restoration features Levites and priests blowing trumpets and making great musical/shouting praise—paralleling Ahab's/Asa's revival motif of covenant renewal accompanied by trumpets and loud worship.
- Exodus 19:16-19 (allusion): At Sinai a 'very loud trumpet sound' and loud voice accompany God's presence—providing an earlier Israelite context where trumpet blast and a loud voice signify divine encounter and communal solemnity.
Alternative generated candidates
- They swore to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with horns.
- They swore to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting and with trumpets and horns.
2 C.15.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כל: DET
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- על: PREP
- השבועה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- נשבעו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- רצונם: NOUN,m,sg,suff,3,m,pl
- בקשהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl,+obj3,m,sg
- וימצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- וינח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מסביב: ADV,loc
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (verbal): Promises that if Israel seeks the LORD with all heart and soul they will find him—close verbal and thematic parallel about wholehearted seeking and finding God.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (verbal): Explicit statement that searching for God with all one’s heart results in finding him, echoing the language and promise of 2 Chr 15:15.
- Psalm 119:10 (thematic): The psalmist declares seeking God with his whole heart and asking not to be led astray—reflects the motif of wholehearted pursuit of God found in 2 Chr 15:15.
- 2 Kings 23:25 (thematic): About King Josiah turning to the LORD with all his heart and restoring covenant faithfulness—parallel instance of national revival and wholehearted commitment to God.
- 2 Chronicles 15:12-13 (structural): Immediate context describing the covenant, public oath, and removal of foreign altars—directly connected episode that explains the people’s wholehearted seeking and the resulting peace in v.15.
Alternative generated candidates
- All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for with all their heart they had sworn; with all their desire they sought him, and he was found by them; and the LORD gave them rest all around.
- All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire; and the LORD gave them rest round about.
2 C.15.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- מעכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הסירה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מגבירה: VERB,hiph,ptc,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לאשרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מפלצת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מפלצתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וידק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בנחל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,const
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 15:13 (verbal): Parallel, near‑identical report of Asa removing Maacah (the queen mother) and cutting down/crushing/burning her Asherah image in the Valley of Kidron — same event in a different historical source.
- 2 Chr 14:2 (structural): Earlier summary of Asa’s reforms: he removed foreign altars and high places and commanded Judah to seek the Lord — provides the broader context for the specific removal of Maacah’s Asherah in 15:16.
- 2 Kgs 18:4 (thematic): Hezekiah’s reform: he removed the high places and 'cut down' the Asherah from the temple — a later royal action against Asherah imagery that parallels Asa’s anti‑Asherah measures.
- 2 Kgs 23:6–7 (allusion): Josiah’s temple cleansing includes burning Asherah poles and removing places associated with Asherah worship — a reform narrative echoing the eradication of Asherah cult objects as in Asa’s case.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover, Maacah, the mother of King Asa, he removed from her position as queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it by the brook Kidron.
- Moreover Asa removed Maacah, the mother of the king, from her position as queen mother, because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it in the brook Kidron.
2 C.15.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והבמות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- סרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כל: DET
- ימיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:14 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel in the Kings account: the high places were not removed, yet Asa's heart is described as perfect/all his days (direct textual overlap).
- 2 Chronicles 14:2 (thematic): Earlier summary of Asa's reign: he 'did what was right' and removed idols—provides the broader thematic background to Asa's faithfulness noted in 15:17.
- 2 Chronicles 15:8 (structural): Part of the same reform narrative describing Asa's removal of abominations and the covenant to seek the LORD; 15:17 serves as the concluding remark that despite reforms the high places remained while Asa's heart was steadfast.
- Psalm 78:72 (thematic): Speaks of leadership 'with integrity of heart' in the pattern of Davidic rhetoric; echoes the ideal of a 'perfect' or wholehearted heart applied to a king's piety, a theme echoed in 2 Chr 15:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- The high places, however, were not removed from Israel, yet Asa's heart was wholehearted all his days.
- But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days.
2 C.15.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- וקדשיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 (verbal): David speaks of giving his own and his sons' possessions—'gold, silver, and vessels'—to the house of the LORD, closely paralleling Asa's bringing of silver, gold, and vessels into the temple.
- 2 Chronicles 31:12 (verbal): In Hezekiah's reform the people 'faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things' to the house of the LORD—language and action parallel to bringing devoted/treasured items into the temple.
- Exodus 35:21-29 (thematic): The Israelites bring freewill offerings of gold, silver, and vessels for the tabernacle; thematically parallels royal and popular contributions of precious items for the sanctuary.
- 1 Chronicles 22:14 (thematic): David's preparation of abundant gold, silver, bronze, and other materials for the house of God echoes the motif of rulers provisioning the temple with precious metals and vessels.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and the holy things — silver and gold and vessels.
- He brought into the house of the LORD the sacred gifts of his father and the dedicated things—silver and gold and utensils.
2 C.15.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלחמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עד: PREP
- שנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- למלכות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:16-22 (structural): Narrative of Baasha's hostility toward Asa: Baasha fortifies Ramah and Asa responds by making an alliance with Ben‑Hadad. Kings frames ongoing conflict between Asa and Baasha, a narrative that must be compared with Chronicles' dating of peace until the 35th year.
- 1 Kings 15:22 (verbal): Explicit statement in Kings that 'there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days,' which appears to conflict with 2 Chronicles' claim of no war until the 35th year—an important verbal/chronological tension between the accounts.
- 2 Chronicles 16:1 (verbal): Reports that in the thirty‑sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha of Israel came up and fortified Ramah—this verse marks the resumption of hostilities immediately after the 35th year and thus connects directly with 2 Chronicles 15:19's dating of the period of peace.
- 2 Chronicles 14:1-7 (thematic): Describes Asa's early internal reforms and a period of peace and security in Judah (building cities, no immediate foreign threat), providing thematic background for 15:19's statement that there was no war until the 35th year.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was no war until the thirty‑fifth year of Asa's reign.
- There was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.
Azariah son of Oded came to him, and the Spirit of God was upon him.
He went out before Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him; if you seek him you will find him, but if you forsake him he will forsake you.”
For many days Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law. And they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel; they sought him, and he was found by them.
At that time there was no peace for any who went out or came in, for great turmoil was upon all the inhabitants of the lands.
Peoples struck against peoples, and city against city; for God stirred up distress in every conflict. But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for there is reward for your work.
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage; he removed the abominations from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had taken from the hill country of Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the LORD that stood before the court of the LORD.
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the sojourners among them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for a great company had come to him from Israel, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
On that day they sacrificed to the LORD from the spoil they had brought: seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul.
Whosoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, was to be put to death—whether small or great, man or woman.
They swore to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets, and with horns.
All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with all their desire; and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest round about.
Moreover Asa removed Maacah, the king's mother, from her position because she had made an obscene image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa's heart was wholly devoted to the LORD all his days.
He brought back the sacred gifts of his father and the dedicated things into the house of God—silver, gold, and vessels.
There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.