2 Chronicles 15:5 kjv
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
2 Chronicles 15:5 nkjv
And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands.
2 Chronicles 15:5 niv
In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil.
2 Chronicles 15:5 esv
In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands.
2 Chronicles 15:5 nlt
"During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land.
2 Chronicles 15 5 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Isa 48:22 | "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." | No peace for those apart from God |
Isa 57:21 | "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." | Wicked lack peace from God |
Jer 30:5 | "For thus says the LORD: We have heard a cry of panic, of trembling, and no peace; there is terror." | Widespread terror and no peace |
Jer 14:19 | "Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not her King in her?" "Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images and with their foreign altars?" "Because of you, there is no peace in the land." | No peace due to provocation of God |
Lev 26:16 | "...I will appoint over you a sudden terror, consumption, and fever that will waste away the eyes and cause the heart to ache." | Terror as a divine consequence |
Deut 28:6 | "You shall be blessed when you come in, and blessed when you go out." | Contrast: blessing in daily life |
Deut 28:19 | "You shall be cursed when you come in, and cursed when you go out." | Curse in daily life (inverse of blessing) |
Deut 28:20 | "The LORD will send on you curses, confusion, and rebuke in all that you undertake to do..." | Confusion as divine consequence |
Deut 28:25 | "The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies... and will cause terror." | Defeat and terror from enemies |
Ps 121:8 | "The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." | Divine protection over all activity |
2 Chr 15:2 | "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." | Divine principle: consequences of forsaking God |
Jdg 2:15 | "Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had sworn to them..." | God's hand against disobedient |
Jer 2:19 | "Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God..." | Evil consequences of apostasy |
Hos 5:15 | "I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me." | Distress as means to seek God |
Amos 5:13 | "Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time." | Silence due to prevailing evil |
Jer 6:14 | "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace." | False peace proclaimed |
Matt 24:6-7 | "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars... Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..." | Widespread global turmoil in end times |
Luke 21:25-26 | "...distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding..." | Fear and perplexity in the last days |
2 Tim 3:1-2 | "But understand this, that in the last days there will be perilous times. For people will be lovers of self..." | Perilous times from self-centeredness |
John 14:27 | "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled..." | True peace comes from Christ |
2 Chronicles 15 verses
2 Chronicles 15 5 Meaning
This verse describes a state of widespread distress and insecurity that results from a turning away from God. It highlights a period where society experiences deep instability, marked by the absence of safety and a pervasive sense of fear and confusion. The phrase "no peace" extends beyond the lack of military conflict to include the absence of well-being, prosperity, and internal calm, indicating that life’s routine activities become fraught with danger. The troubles are not isolated but affect "all the inhabitants of the lands," indicating a universal experience of affliction within the affected territories. This state is presented as a consequence of the conditions described in the broader prophecy, emphasizing divine displeasure.
2 Chronicles 15 5 Context
This verse is part of the prophet Azariah’s inspired message to King Asa of Judah, delivered after Asa's decisive victory over the Ethiopians. Chapters 13-14 highlight Asa's initial righteous reign, during which he removed idols, strengthened Judah's defenses, and successfully sought the Lord for victory. Azariah's prophecy in 2 Chronicles 15:1-7 serves as a crucial theological explanation for Asa’s prosperity and a warning for the future.
The preceding verses (2 Chr 15:2-4) lay out the covenantal principle: "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. For many days Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law, but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them." Verse 5 vividly describes the chaotic consequences when God's people abandon Him, drawing on past experiences (like those described concerning Israel, implying the Northern Kingdom, or previous periods of spiritual decline within Judah itself) to illustrate the peril of abandoning the Law and the true worship of God. This prophesied chaos provides the impetus for Asa's renewed religious reforms and the subsequent covenant renewal mentioned in the latter part of the chapter (2 Chr 15:8-19).
2 Chronicles 15 5 Word analysis
- In those times: Hebrew `bayyamim hahemah` (בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם). This refers to periods, whether in the past or projected into the future, when people departed from God's ways. It indicates a direct correlation between a particular spiritual condition and subsequent societal upheaval. It links to a specific state or period.
- there was no peace: Hebrew `ein shalom` (אֵין שָׁלוֹם). "Peace" (`shalom`) in Hebrew is comprehensive, meaning much more than just the absence of war. It encompasses wholeness, well-being, safety, prosperity, health, and tranquility in every aspect of life – personal, communal, and spiritual. The phrase "no peace" therefore signifies a complete lack of all these positive elements. It denotes spiritual disorder leading to external affliction and inner turmoil.
- to him who went out or came in: Hebrew `layyoṣeʼ velabāʼ ` (לַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא). This is a well-known idiomatic expression signifying universal daily activity and movement. It covers everyone – soldiers going to war, merchants trading, travelers journeying, farmers working, or simply people conducting their everyday affairs. The phrase implies that danger and lack of security would be encountered in every facet of life and by all individuals, regardless of their role or location. It highlights total vulnerability and instability in all aspects of daily existence.
- but great troubles: Hebrew `mĕvuchot rabbot` (מְבוּכוֹת רַבּוֹת). The word `mevuchot` means confusion, perplexity, disorder, consternation, and dismay. It points to a state of internal disarray, panic, and overwhelming distress, often divinely ordained. This is not mere difficulty, but a profound disorientation that undermines clarity and action. "Great" emphasizes the pervasive and intense nature of this distress.
- were on all the inhabitants of the lands: Hebrew `‘al kol-yoshĕvei ha’araṣot` (עַל כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת). "Lands" (אֲרָצוֹת) often refers to territories or regions, possibly meaning not only the various districts of Judah but also surrounding kingdoms that experienced instability. This suggests the effects of abandoning God are far-reaching, potentially leading to widespread regional chaos or intense suffering within all parts of the kingdom itself. It signifies a collective experience of judgment, impacting the entire populace indiscriminately.
2 Chronicles 15 5 Bonus section
This verse powerfully illustrates a core biblical theme: the inextricable link between national well-being (peace, prosperity, security) and spiritual fidelity to God. The chaos described is not arbitrary; it is presented as a direct, covenantal consequence of a society turning its back on the divine order. The prophetic imagery serves as both a historical explanation for past periods of Israel's suffering and a forward-looking warning for King Asa and future generations. The absence of "peace" (shalom) extends beyond the political to encapsulate an existential and spiritual void. This prophecy was instrumental in motivating Asa to undertake further reforms, demonstrating the Bible's emphasis on responsive leadership when confronted with divine truth. It reminds us that "great troubles" often serve as a wake-up call, designed by God to draw His people back to Himself.
2 Chronicles 15 5 Commentary
2 Chronicles 15:5 functions as a solemn warning, revealing the direct consequence of forsaking God’s covenant. It asserts that deviation from divine law and true worship invariably leads to a state of profound societal breakdown and individual insecurity. The "no peace" signifies a withdrawal of God's holistic blessing, leaving His people vulnerable not merely to external conflict, but to a deeper internal turmoil, pervasive anxiety, and an overall absence of well-being that permeates every aspect of daily life. This universal distress ("him who went out or came in") and widespread confusion ("great troubles") serve as a powerful testament to the principle that genuine order and security originate solely from a right relationship with the Lord. When the people forget God, they forfeit His protection and blessing, plunging their "lands" into chaos. The verse highlights God's judicial response to disobedience, designed to prompt repentance by demonstrating the bitter fruits of spiritual abandonment.