2 Chronicles 15 12

2 Chronicles 15:12 kjv

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

2 Chronicles 15:12 nkjv

Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

2 Chronicles 15:12 niv

They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.

2 Chronicles 15:12 esv

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul,

2 Chronicles 15:12 nlt

Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 12 Meaning

2 Chronicles 15:12 describes a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa and the people of Judah: a solemn and collective decision to renew their covenant with the LORD. This commitment was characterized by a profound and absolute dedication, vowing to diligently seek the Lord God, the very God worshiped by their ancestors, with the totality of their inner being – encompassing their intellect, will, affections, desires, and entire life force. It represents a willing, heartfelt, and public return to monotheistic fidelity.

2 Chronicles 15 12 Context

2 Chronicles 15:12 occurs within the narrative of King Asa's reign, specifically after a significant prophetic encounter. Following a victory over the Cushites (2 Chr 14:9-15), Asa and Judah were met by the prophet Azariah, who delivered a message (2 Chr 15:1-7) emphasizing God's presence and blessing being contingent on the people's faithfulness and their active pursuit of Him ("the LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you"). This prophecy directly inspired Asa to initiate a zealous religious reform. The verse, therefore, represents the direct response of Asa and the people to this divine encouragement and warning. They publicly commit to cleansing their land of idolatry and reinstituting true worship, setting the stage for a period of peace and prosperity. The Chronicler highlights the importance of wholehearted obedience and its direct correlation with national blessing.

2 Chronicles 15 12 Word analysis

• And they entered into a covenant (וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ בַבְּרִ֖ית - Vayavo'u baberit):
  • Entered (Vayavo'u): This verb suggests a deliberate, active, and public coming in or coming together, not a passive acceptance. It indicates a formal participation in a binding agreement.
  • Covenant (בְּרִית - berit): A solemn, binding agreement, often sealed by an oath and having specific stipulations and consequences for adherence or violation. In the Old Testament, covenants describe relationships, especially between God and His people (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). Here, it's a renewal of their commitment to the Mosaic covenant principles, a recommitment to fidelity to YHVH alone, initiated by the people themselves. It sets the parameters for their relationship with God.
• to seek (לִדְר֕וֹשׁ - lidrosh):
  • The infinitive form of "darash" means to diligently inquire, investigate, consult, or persistently pursue. It's not a casual search but an active, earnest, and continuous effort. It implies desiring knowledge, presence, and favor from God, engaging in worship, obeying His commands, and relying on Him for guidance.
• the LORD God (יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם֮ - YHVH Eloheihem):
  • LORD (יְהוָ֣ה - YHVH): The personal, ineffable, covenant name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent, faithful nature. It's the name by which He revealed Himself to Israel.
  • God (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - Eloheihem): A more general term for "God" (Elohim), often used for the powerful, sovereign creator God. The suffix "-ehem" means "their." Combining YHVH and Elohim emphasizes both His personal, covenant relationship with them and His universal power and sovereignty. It's their God in a special covenantal sense.
• of their fathers (אֲבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם - avoteihem):
  • Fathers (אֲבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם - avoteihem): Refers to their ancestors, particularly Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase links their present covenant renewal directly to the foundational faith and promises made to the patriarchs and reinforced through Moses. It grounds their present actions in historical divine-human relationships, establishing continuity and heritage, asserting they are the rightful inheritors of these covenant promises.
• with all their heart (בְּכָל־ לְבָבָֽם - bekol- levavam):
  • Heart (לְבָבָֽם - levavam): In biblical Hebrew, "levav" (heart) is not just the seat of emotions, but the core of one's inner being: intellect, will, reason, moral choices, memory, and conscience. It's the controlling center of thought and action. To seek with "all heart" implies an undivided mind, an unreserved commitment of their entire cognitive and volitional faculties.
• and with all their soul (וּבְכָל־ נַפְשָֽׁם - uvekhol- nafsham):
  • Soul (נַפְשָֽׁם - nafsham): "Nefesh" encompasses life itself, vital breath, desires, affections, appetite, and one's whole living being. To seek with "all soul" signifies investing their entire being, desires, passions, and life force into the pursuit of God. This indicates a complete, vibrant, and enthusiastic dedication of one's existence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Entered into a covenant to seek": This phrase highlights the intentionality and formality of their commitment. It's not a casual wish but a binding agreement aimed at an active and diligent pursuit of God. This active "seeking" (darash) distinguishes a true relationship with God from mere external ritualism.
• "The LORD God of their fathers": This emphasizes both God's personal covenant name (YHVH), His universal power (Elohim), and His historical relationship with Israel's ancestors. It connects their current decision to their divine heritage and affirms the continuity of faith across generations, rejecting new, foreign deities.
• "With all their heart and with all their soul": This repetition and pairing of "heart" and "soul" signify total, absolute, and undivided commitment. It goes beyond outward obedience to demand an inner devotion. "Heart" denotes intellect and will, "soul" signifies desires and life force. Together, they mean whole person devotion – every faculty, every desire, every ounce of their being. This is a recurring phrase, notably in Deut 6:5 (the Shema), underscoring the most profound level of devotion demanded by the Mosaic covenant.

2 Chronicles 15 12 Bonus section

The phrase "with all their heart and with all their soul" is a direct echo of the foundational command to love God (Deut 6:5; also mirrored in Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27). The Chronicler uses this Deuteronomic language to underline the depth and sincerity of the people's repentance and their commitment to the covenant. This total commitment served as a strong polemic against the prevalent syncretism and idolatry, which diluted monotheistic worship with practices from surrounding pagan religions. By demanding an undivided "heart" and "soul," the Chronicler argues that compromise with other deities is not truly "seeking" the LORD. The consequences for violating this covenant were severe (2 Chr 15:13), underscoring the absolute seriousness with which God regarded this commitment and Asa's reforms. The subsequent period of peace (2 Chr 15:19) directly illustrates the Chronicler's theology: obedience and seeking God wholeheartedly lead to divine blessing and national well-being.

2 Chronicles 15 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:12 encapsulates a profound act of national revival under King Asa. The core message is that true reformation must stem from a willing, deliberate, and wholehearted commitment to God. This wasn't merely Asa's decision, but a collective, public covenant, highlighting a popular resurgence of faith. The emphasis on "all their heart and all their soul" reveals that mere external adherence to religious practices is insufficient; genuine faith demands internal, total dedication of one's entire being – intellect, will, affections, and life. This radical pursuit of God involved dismantling idols and re-establishing the proper worship of YHVH, leading to divine favor and peace for a generation. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of repentance and seeking God diligently, demonstrating that when a people turns back to God with absolute devotion, God responds with His presence and blessing.

• Example for practical usage: A believer re-dedicating their life to Christ, committing their time, talents, and resources, not just sporadically, but with undivided devotion. Or, a church deciding to collectively pursue spiritual revival through intensified prayer and intentional discipleship, prioritizing God's presence above all other interests.