2 Chronicles 15 13

2 Chronicles 15:13 kjv

That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

2 Chronicles 15:13 nkjv

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 Chronicles 15:13 niv

All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.

2 Chronicles 15:13 esv

but that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.

2 Chronicles 15:13 nlt

They agreed that anyone who refused to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death ? whether young or old, man or woman.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 13 Meaning

This verse states a decisive decree by King Asa and the people of Judah: anyone who failed to earnestly seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, regardless of their status—small or great, male or female. This severe pronouncement signifies a profound commitment to national purity and covenant renewal, aligning the kingdom wholly with the worship of Yahweh and explicitly rejecting idolatry or syncretism, making turning away from God an offense punishable by capital decree.

2 Chronicles 15 13 Context

2 Chronicles 15:13 is a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa of Judah. The chapter opens with the Spirit of God coming upon Azariah, son of Oded, who delivers a prophetic message to Asa, urging him to be strong and to cleanse Judah of its idolatry (2 Chr 15:1-7). Azariah reminds Asa that "The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." Empowered by this word, Asa embarks on a widespread reform, removing idols, renovating the altar of the LORD, and gathering all Judah and Benjamin, along with people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had migrated to Judah, to Jerusalem. The climax of this gathering is a grand covenant renewal ceremony (2 Chr 15:9-12), where they pledge to seek the LORD. Verse 13 articulates the severe commitment behind this renewed covenant: that failure to genuinely seek God would result in the death penalty, thus solidifying their resolve and establishing a potent deterrent against future apostasy. This move also asserts the state's role in enforcing covenant fidelity to Yahweh in Old Covenant Israel.

2 Chronicles 15 13 Word analysis

• whoever (Hebrew: כֹּל֙ - kol): Meaning "all" or "every." It indicates a universal scope; no one is exempt from this decree, regardless of social standing or previous loyalty.
• would not (Hebrew: לֹא־דָרַ֨שׁ - lo'-darash): The negative particle lo combined with the verb darash. It emphasizes a willful and active choice not to seek, not merely a passive lack of engagement.
• seek (Hebrew: דָרַ֨שׁ - darash): This verb means "to inquire," "to consult," "to frequent a place for consultation," or "to crave." In a religious context, it signifies a deep, earnest, and persistent seeking of God's presence, will, and favor. It implies diligent investigation and active pursuit, a heartfelt devotion, rather than a superficial adherence. It contrasts sharply with seeking other gods or neglecting Yahweh.
• the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָ֣ה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, unique, and immutable relationship with Israel. Emphasizes that this seeking must be directed specifically and solely to Him.
• God of Israel (Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל - 'Elohei Yisrael): Highlights Yahweh's particular ownership and relationship with the nation of Israel as their covenant God, distinguishing Him from the gods of surrounding nations.
• should be put to death (Hebrew: מוֹת יֽוּמַת֙ - mot yumat): This is an emphatic Hebrew idiom using the infinitive absolute before the finite verb, meaning "surely be put to death" or "most certainly die." It's a common legal formula in the Old Testament for capital punishment, leaving no ambiguity about the severity of the consequence. This highlights the gravest possible offense against the covenant.
• whether small or great (Hebrew: לְמִקָּטֹ֖ן וְעַד־גָּדֽוֹל - l'miqaton w'ad-gadol): Literally "from the small to the great." This emphasizes that social status, age, or influence provide no immunity from the decree. Justice is applied universally.
• whether man or woman (Hebrew: מֵאִ֥ישׁ וְעַד־אִשָּֽׁה - me'ish w'ad-ishshah): Reinforces the principle of impartiality under the law; gender makes no difference to culpability or penalty. This was particularly significant given potential gender-specific roles in some pagan cults.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "that whoever would not seek the LORD": This phrase pinpoints the specific transgression. It's not about passive unbelief but an active choice not to seek God. This decision to reject fervent pursuit of Yahweh—which implies turning to other deities or outright abandonment—was seen as a direct breach of the covenant. The consequence was dire because of the nature of the relationship established with God at Sinai, where idolatry directly attacked the divine-human bond.
• "the LORD, the God of Israel": This particular divine title is significant. It underlines the uniqueness of Yahweh in contrast to surrounding pagan deities and solidifies the identity of Israel as His special people. The covenant demands absolute loyalty, and seeking any other 'god' was treason against the sovereign Lord of the nation.
• "should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman": This complete phrase highlights the uncompromising and all-encompassing nature of the decree. It was an ultimate measure for total cleansing and commitment. The severity reflects the Old Covenant's principle where the spiritual health and very existence of the nation were intertwined with its adherence to Yahweh's commands. Apostasy was not just a religious error but a socio-political threat to the national identity and God's protective presence.

2 Chronicles 15 13 Bonus section

This verse embodies the "anathema" or "herem" principle from the Mosaic Law, where things or persons dedicated to destruction due to their opposition to God's holiness were utterly cut off. While the New Covenant establishes a new covenant administration where spiritual purification is achieved through Christ's sacrifice and spiritual expulsion (e.g., excommunication) rather than state-enforced capital punishment, the underlying principle of God's utter intolerance for spiritual defection and idolatry remains. God's call for singular devotion is unwavering, though the means of enforcement and the nature of His people (the church vs. a geo-political nation) have transformed with the advent of Christ. This intense focus on purity was not arbitrary but rooted in the theological understanding that the spiritual health of Israel directly impacted their national well-being and their unique status as God's representatives to the world. The physical judgment served as a tangible consequence of spiritual breach in the theocratic system.

2 Chronicles 15 13 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:13 underscores the zealous nature of Asa's reform and the stringent demands of the Old Covenant. Faced with a history of spiritual lukewarmness and idolatry in Judah, Asa, guided by prophetic word, sought a radical and total national purification. The decree to put to death anyone who refused to earnestly seek Yahweh was a dramatic step to cement this covenant renewal. It served as a stark deterrent, emphasizing that true devotion was a matter of life and death, not merely an external ritual. This measure aimed to eradicate spiritual complacency and disloyalty at its roots, reflecting the biblical understanding that God's covenant demanded absolute and unwavering allegiance. It reminds us of God's holy character and the severity with which apostasy was viewed under the Old Covenant, particularly when it jeopardized the spiritual integrity of His chosen people. The goal was national blessing through national purity.