2 Chronicles 15:1 kjv
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2 Chronicles 15:1 nkjv
Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
2 Chronicles 15:1 niv
The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded.
2 Chronicles 15:1 esv
The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded,
2 Chronicles 15:1 nlt
Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded,
2 Chronicles 15 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 41:38 | "Can we find anyone else like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" | Spirit's presence recognized in Pharaoh's court. |
| Num 11:25 | "the Spirit rested on them, and they prophesied." | Spirit empowering for prophecy. |
| Num 24:2 | "and the Spirit of God came upon him." | Spirit empowering Balaam for prophecy. |
| Deut 18:18 | "I will put my words in his mouth." | God putting words into a prophet's mouth. |
| Judg 3:10 | "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him..." | Spirit enabling for leadership (Othniel). |
| Judg 6:34 | "the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon." | Spirit enabling for military leadership. |
| Judg 11:29 | "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." | Spirit enabling for military victory. |
| 1 Sam 10:6 | "the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy." | Spirit empowering Saul for prophecy/kingship. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | "the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward." | Spirit anointing for kingship (David). |
| 1 Kgs 22:24 | "How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?" | Spirit on a prophet (Micaiah vs. false prophet). |
| 2 Chr 20:14 | "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel..." | Spirit empowering another prophet. |
| Neh 9:30 | "you warned them by your Spirit through your prophets." | God's Spirit speaking through prophets. |
| Isa 48:16 | "And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit." | God and His Spirit sending a messenger. |
| Isa 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me..." | Spirit empowering the Messiah's ministry. |
| Ezek 11:5 | "Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me..." | Spirit empowering Ezekiel for prophecy. |
| Joel 2:28 | "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." | Prophecy of widespread Spirit outpouring. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord." | Spirit is the source of divine strength. |
| Matt 3:16 | "the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him." | Spirit anointing Jesus for ministry. |
| Luke 1:35 | "The Holy Spirit will come upon you..." | Spirit enabling Mary's miraculous conception. |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" | Holy Spirit empowering for witness. |
| Acts 2:17-18 | "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...prophesy." | Fulfillment of Joel's prophecy on Pentecost. |
| 1 Cor 12:4-11 | "there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit." | Diverse gifts empowered by the Spirit. |
| Heb 1:1 | "Long ago, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets..." | God communicating through prophets. |
2 Chronicles 15 verses
2 Chronicles 15 1 Meaning
2 Chronicles 15:1 states that the Spirit of God came upon Azariah, the son of Oded. This signifies a divine empowering or anointing that specifically enabled Azariah to deliver a prophetic message from God, serving as God's instrument to convey His will to King Asa and the people of Judah. It marked the beginning of a significant prophetic utterance aimed at guiding and challenging the king following a great victory.
2 Chronicles 15 1 Context
2 Chronicles 15:1 takes place shortly after King Asa's miraculous victory over the vast Ethiopian army led by Zerah (2 Chr 14:9-15). This triumph was directly attributed to Asa's earnest seeking of the Lord. The verse serves as a transition from the recounting of a past victory to a prophetic message. Azariah's coming forth with God's Spirit signifies divine approval of Asa's previous actions and provides a clear spiritual interpretation and further instruction for the nation. This sets the stage for Asa's great reformation in Judah. Historically, it emphasizes God's direct involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly through His chosen messengers. It also highlights the chronicler's theme of immediate divine response to obedience or disobedience.
2 Chronicles 15 1 Word analysis
- And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, connecting the preceding narrative of King Asa's victory with the subsequent prophetic event. It shows direct continuity.
- the Spirit of God (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים - Ruach Elohim):
- Ruach: Hebrew for "wind," "breath," or "spirit." It implies life, power, and often, the invisible divine agency.
- Elohim: Hebrew for "God," often used in a general sense, but here specifically referring to the true God.
- This phrase denotes the divine presence and power actively influencing an individual for a specific purpose. In the Old Testament, it typically describes a supernatural empowerment for prophetic insight, leadership, or miraculous deeds, rather than permanent indwelling. It points to God's direct intervention.
- came upon (הָיְתָה עָלָיו - hayetah alav):
- Literally "was upon him." This phrasal verb indicates an immediate, tangible, and often powerful manifestation of the Spirit's presence on an individual. It implies an overwhelming or seizing quality, granting temporary or specific divine enablement for a task, often related to prophecy or judicial wisdom.
- Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה - Azaryah):
- A common Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh has helped" or "My help is Yahweh." The meaning of his name resonates strongly with the message he delivers to Asa (2 Chr 15:2) which emphasizes that the Lord is with those who seek Him, implying divine help and assistance. He is only known through this account.
- the son of (בֶּן־ - ben-): Standard Hebrew patronymic indicator, identifying Azariah's lineage.
- Oded (עֹדֵד - Oded): Azariah's father. Not much else is known about him. His role is to identify Azariah, linking him to his family rather than any particular status of Oded himself.
Words-group analysis:
- "And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah": This entire phrase is central. It emphasizes the divine origin of Azariah's message. It's not Azariah's own wisdom or opinion, but a direct revelation empowered by God's Spirit. This confers divine authority on his subsequent words. This anointing is for the specific purpose of prophecy and teaching, contrasting with the Spirit's anointing for warfare (Judges) or kingship (Saul/David), though often intertwined with leadership guidance. It shows that God does not abandon His people after victory but continues to guide them through His Spirit-anointed spokesmen.
2 Chronicles 15 1 Bonus section
- The appearance of prophets in Chronicles is strategically significant. They often serve as theological interpreters of events, articulating God's perspective on the kings' actions (e.g., Shemaiah in 2 Chr 12, Hanani in 2 Chr 16). Azariah here gives the divine explanation and exhortation following the battle.
- The chronicler consistently links divine blessing and success directly to obedience and seeking the Lord, and punishment to disobedience. Azariah's prophecy in the subsequent verses (15:2-7) explicitly articulates this principle, confirming it with historical examples and personal experience, thereby encouraging Asa to continue and deepen his commitment.
- This verse can be seen as an Old Testament foreshadowing of the New Testament concept of the Holy Spirit empowering believers for ministry, though the nature and permanence of the indwelling Spirit differ. In both testaments, the Spirit of God is the source of divine utterance and spiritual effectiveness.
2 Chronicles 15 1 Commentary
2 Chronicles 15:1 is a pivotal verse, signaling a fresh word from God after Asa's great victory. The mention of "the Spirit of God came upon Azariah" immediately elevates the following message beyond human counsel, endowing it with divine authority and urgency. This event underscores God's chosen method of communication in the Old Testament through inspired prophets, confirming that God's involvement with His people extended beyond military aid to direct spiritual instruction and guidance. The phrase "came upon" signifies a distinct, enabling, and powerful anointing for prophecy, demonstrating God's dynamic interaction with His creation and His desire to guide human actions. Azariah, a seemingly ordinary individual identified only by his father, becomes God's instrument, highlighting that divine anointing transcends social status, flowing wherever God wills. The name "Azariah," meaning "Yahweh has helped," subtly foreshadows and reinforces the core message of the prophet concerning divine help for those who diligently seek the Lord and His absence for those who abandon Him. This encounter is a powerful illustration of God’s active presence in the lives of His faithful servants and His direct influence on national affairs through prophetic utterance.