2 Chronicles 15 8

2 Chronicles 15:8 kjv

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 15:8 nkjv

And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 15:8 niv

When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple.

2 Chronicles 15:8 esv

As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 15:8 nlt

When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, which stood in front of the entry room of the LORD's Temple.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 8 Meaning

Upon hearing the impactful words of God delivered through the prophet, King Asa was greatly emboldened. This surge of courage spurred him into immediate and comprehensive religious action. He systematically removed all detestable idols from his entire domain, encompassing the lands of Judah and Benjamin, and even the cities he had captured from Mount Ephraim. Concurrently, he dedicated himself to the restoration and renewal of the altar of the LORD, which was prominently located before the porch of the temple in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 15 8 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 15 records a pivotal moment in King Asa's reign, occurring immediately after his decisive victory over Zerah the Cushite's massive army (Chr 14). While returning triumphantly, Asa was met by Azariah, son of Oded, who was moved by the Spirit of God to deliver a powerful prophetic message (15:1-7). This prophecy explicitly tied divine favour and success to faithfulness and seeking the LORD, while warning of the severe consequences of forsaking Him. The verse in focus, 2 Chronicles 15:8, details Asa's profound and resolute response to this direct divine challenge. It transitions from military triumph to spiritual reformation, demonstrating a monarch's obedience to prophetic instruction, a cornerstone of covenant kingship. Historically, Asa's reign was crucial in solidifying Judah's identity as a kingdom devoted to YHWH amidst the widespread idolatry and syncretism prevalent in surrounding nations and even within the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

2 Chronicles 15 8 Word analysis

• And when Asa heard these words: (Hebrew: `wayyišmaʿ ʾāsāh ʾet-haddəḇārîm hāʾēlleh`). `šāmaʿ` (sha-MA) means not just 'to perceive sound' but deeply 'to hear and obey', indicating an active, receptive listening that leads to action. This is central to covenant relationship (Deut 28). The immediate hearing signals a receptive heart, unlike many kings who ignored prophetic warnings.
• and the prophecy of Oded the prophet: (Hebrew: `wěhanəḇūʾāh ʿŌḏēḏ hannāḇîʾ`). `něḇūʾāh` (ne-VOO-ah) refers to a 'prophecy' or 'divine utterance'. Though Azariah son of Oded delivered the message in verse 1, identifying it as "the prophecy of Oded the prophet" may either refer to Oded as Azariah's father/progenitor (lineage), or underscore the divine origin and prophetic authority of the message itself, making the prophet's identity (father or son) secondary to the divine message he conveyed. This emphasizes God as the ultimate source.
• he took courage: (Hebrew: `wayyitḥazzēq`). From the root `ḥāzaq` (cha-ZAK), 'to be strong, to strengthen oneself, to encourage'. It signifies an act of moral and spiritual resolve, not mere passive encouragement. Asa made a deliberate decision to fortify himself against opposition, knowing his actions would be challenging and unpopular. This resolve is often a precursor to significant biblical undertakings (e.g., Josh 1:6-9).
• and put away the abominable idols: (Hebrew: `wayyāseṙ ʾet-haššiqūṣîm`). `sūr` (SOOR) means 'to turn aside, to remove, to abolish'. `šiqqûṣîm` (shik-koo-TSEEM) translates as 'detestable things', 'abominations', or 'idols'. This term emphasizes the utter detestability and defilement that idolatrous objects represent to the holy God. Asa’s action was a complete rejection of pagan practices, aligning with Mosaic law's strict prohibition against idolatry (Exo 20:4-5, Deut 7:5).
• out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin: This highlights the comprehensive and extensive nature of his reform. It wasn't superficial but encompassed the entire territory of the Southern Kingdom, showing thoroughness in his cleansing effort.
• and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim: This detail indicates Asa’s zeal extended beyond the established borders of Judah. "Mount Ephraim" likely refers to territory originally belonging to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) but reclaimed or influenced by Judah, perhaps as a result of earlier conflicts or the victory over the Cushites (2 Chr 14:15). His purification reached even beyond Judah's immediate dominion, signaling his commitment to YHWH's exclusive worship wherever his authority extended.
• and renewed the altar of the LORD: (Hebrew: `wayḥaddēš ʾet-mizbaḥ YHWH`). `ḥaddēš` (had-DESH) means 'to make new, repair, restore'. `mizbēaḥ` (miz-BE-ach) is 'altar'. The term "renewed" suggests that the central altar for burnt offerings had fallen into disuse or disrepair, perhaps even desecration, reflecting a period of religious laxity. Its restoration was vital for legitimate covenant worship, symbolizing the re-establishment of proper atonement and communion with God.
• that was before the porch of the LORD: This specifies the location of the altar, confirming it was the great bronze altar in the Temple courtyard, immediately in front of the main entrance or vestibule (`ʾûlām`) of the Temple proper. This identifies the heart of the national worship, affirming the central and singular place for YHWH’s worship in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 15 8 Bonus section

• The textual distinction between "Azariah son of Oded" (15:1) and "Oded the prophet" (15:8) has been noted by biblical scholars. Most interpret "Oded the prophet" in verse 8 as either referring to Azariah's father from whom he inherited prophetic anointing or lineage, or simply as a summary reference to the source of the authoritative prophecy, prioritizing the divine origin of the message rather than specific human authorship detail for Asa's actions. The emphasis is consistently on the Spirit-inspired nature of the warning and encouragement.
• Asa's initial and vigorous religious reforms, as seen here, distinguish him from many preceding and subsequent kings of Judah who either tolerated or even promoted idolatry. This act served as a significant precedent for future reforming kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, establishing a high benchmark for covenant faithfulness in leadership.
• The inclusion of cities "from mount Ephraim" shows Asa's influence or military conquest extended beyond Judah proper into the Northern Kingdom's territory, asserting a theological claim for Yahweh's dominion even over areas traditionally prone to idol worship. This suggests a desire for unity under the true God.

2 Chronicles 15 8 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:8 powerfully illustrates the direct causal link between divine revelation, human courage, and righteous action. Asa's response to Azariah's Spirit-inspired prophecy was not merely intellectual assent but an immediate, decisive, and comprehensive overhaul of the nation's spiritual landscape. The verse underscores that true spiritual renewal requires an uncompromising commitment to God's standards. Asa's willingness to "take courage" (strengthen himself) against deeply entrenched idolatry highlights the often challenging nature of obedience. His sweeping reform, encompassing both core territories and newly acquired regions, demonstrates his thoroughness, prioritizing purity of worship over political expediency. The parallel renewal of the LORD's altar signifies that true reformation is not just about removing the bad, but actively restoring and re-prioritizing the good – in this case, the covenant worship prescribed by God. This narrative provides a timeless lesson: genuine spiritual revival begins with hearing and obeying God's Word, leading to radical cleansing and a fervent recommitment to proper worship and honouring Him exclusively.