2 Chronicles 19:4 kjv
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 19:4 nkjv
So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 19:4 niv
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 19:4 esv
Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 19:4 nlt
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 19 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:30 | "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee...thou shalt turn to the LORD..." | Calls for returning to God in distress. |
| Deut 30:2 | "And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice..." | Turning and obeying God's voice. |
| Isa 55:7 | "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD..." | Divine call to repentance and return. |
| Hos 14:1 | "O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity." | Plea for Israel to return from their sin. |
| Joel 2:12 | "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart..." | Urges sincere, wholehearted return. |
| Zech 1:3 | "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me..." | A direct command to return to the Lord. |
| Acts 3:19 | "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." | New Testament call to repentance and turning. |
| Gen 28:13 | "...I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac..." | God introduces Himself as God of fathers. |
| Exod 3:6 | "Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." | Emphasizes covenant with patriarchs. |
| Deut 6:3 | "Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee..." | Link between obedience and blessing of covenant. |
| 1 Kgs 18:36 | "...let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant..." | Elijah's prayer appealing to God of fathers. |
| 2 Chr 17:4 | "But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments..." | Jehoshaphat's earlier seeking the Lord. |
| 2 Chr 20:3 | "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD..." | Seeking God in crisis. |
| 2 Kgs 23:25 | "And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart..." | Josiah's radical turning to God. |
| Psa 27:8 | "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." | Personal devotion to seeking God. |
| Jer 29:13 | "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." | Promise for those who sincerely seek God. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." | Prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness. |
| Neh 8:1-8 | Ezra reading the law and people responding in worship and repentance. | Example of a post-exilic national spiritual revival. |
| 2 Chr 29:1-36 | Hezekiah's thorough cleansing of the temple and restoration of worship. | King leading nation in religious reform. |
| 2 Kgs 23:1-25 | Josiah's discovery of the Law and extensive destruction of idolatry. | King leading nation in a return to the Law. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | The king's responsibility to study and obey the law. | Guidelines for righteous kingship. |
| Rom 13:3-4 | "...For he is the minister of God to thee for good." | Authority's role in promoting good. |
2 Chronicles 19 verses
2 Chronicles 19 4 Meaning
After his return to Jerusalem, King Jehoshaphat embarked upon a profound spiritual endeavor across his entire kingdom. Following a sharp prophetic rebuke for his alliance with the wicked King Ahab, he demonstrated genuine repentance through action. He personally undertook a wide-ranging campaign, traveling throughout the land from its southern extremity at Beersheba to the northern reach of Mount Ephraim. His primary mission was to actively "bring back" or cause the people to return from idolatry and lukewarmness to a sincere and dedicated worship of the LORD, the covenant God of their ancestors, reaffirming their unique relationship with the One True God. This effort marked a significant pivot towards religious reform and purification within Judah.
2 Chronicles 19 4 Context
This verse immediately follows a pivotal moment in King Jehoshaphat's reign. In 2 Chronicles chapter 18, Jehoshaphat formed an ill-advised alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel, joining him in battle against Ramoth-gilead. This alliance nearly cost Jehoshaphat his life. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he was met by Jehu the prophet, who severely rebuked him for "helping the ungodly, and loving them that hate the LORD" (2 Chr 19:2). This prophetic confrontation served as a critical turning point for Jehoshaphat. Verse 4 details Jehoshaphat's immediate and tangible response to this rebuke. It marks the initiation of his comprehensive spiritual reforms within Judah, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a reformed judicial system and renewed priestly responsibilities detailed in the subsequent verses (2 Chr 19:5-11). Historically, Judah faced constant pressure from the pervasive idolatry of surrounding nations, particularly the Baal worship promoted by the Omride dynasty in Israel. Jehoshaphat's actions here represent a proactive defense and renewal of the unique covenant relationship between Judah and Yahweh, combating spiritual syncretism and apostasy.
2 Chronicles 19 4 Word analysis
- And: This conjunction serves to connect the verse to the preceding narrative, particularly Jehoshaphat's return from the battlefield and the prophetic rebuke. It signals a subsequent, and corrective, action on the king's part.
- Jehoshaphat: Hebrew
Yĕhôshāphāṭ(יְהוֹשָׁפָט), meaning "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh has ruled." The very name is a potent reminder of divine judgment and sovereignty, echoing the prophetic rebuke he just received and foreshadowing his role in establishing a just judicial system (2 Chr 19:5-11). - dwelt: Hebrew
yāšab(ישב), "to sit, remain, settle, inhabit." This indicates his safe return to his capital and resumed a stable presence as king after the dangerous military excursion. - at Jerusalem: The political and spiritual heart of Judah, the chosen city for the Temple and the Davidic throne. His return here signifies a return to his core responsibilities.
- and he went out again: The phrase implies a renewed and intentional effort. The Hebrew
yāṣāʾ(יָצָא) meaning "to go out" or "go forth," often denotes a deliberate movement for a purpose. "Again" suggests this was a re-engagement with the people, perhaps contrasting his previous misguided venture. It highlights his proactive spiritual leadership, moving beyond the confines of his palace. - through the people: This emphasizes personal involvement and direct engagement with the populace, rather than merely issuing decrees from the capital. It signifies a hands-on approach to religious reform.
- from Beersheba to mount Ephraim: These geographical markers denote the full extent of Judah's influence or perceived spiritual responsibility. Beersheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע) in the extreme south of Judah was a well-known southern boundary. "Mount Ephraim" (הַר אֶפְרָיִם), while technically in the former northern kingdom, suggests Jehoshaphat extended his spiritual reach beyond strictly Judahite territory, possibly influencing those remnants of northern tribes or areas under Judah's religious sway. This illustrates the comprehensiveness of his reform movement, covering a vast geographical area.
- and brought them back: Hebrew
wayyāšeḇēm(וַיַּשִׁבֵם) is the Hiphil imperfect form ofshuv(שׁוּב), meaning "to cause to return," "to bring back." This signifies Jehoshaphat's active role as an instrument in the spiritual redirection of the people. It's not passive witnessing but active facilitation of their repentance and restoration. This is a deliberate, divine-led movement. - unto the LORD: Hebrew
YHWH(יהוה), the covenant name of God, distinguishing Him from all other gods. This phrase specifies the true object of their return. It highlights the exclusivity of worship and fidelity to the God of Israel. - God of their fathers: Hebrew
ʾĕlōhê ʾăḇôtêhem(אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיהֶם). This is a foundational covenantal phrase throughout the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Exod 3:6). It emphasizes:- Continuity: Linking the current generation back to the historical covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.
- Heritage: Reinforcing the unique spiritual identity of Israel tied to Yahweh.
- Polemics: A direct and powerful counter-statement to the pervasive Baal worship and syncretism prevalent during this period, firmly stating the ancestral and legitimate claim of Yahweh over all false gods. It was a call to return to their spiritual roots.
2 Chronicles 19 4 Bonus section
- Jehoshaphat's expansive journey (Beersheba to Mount Ephraim) demonstrates his commitment was not superficial or limited to the capital, but was meant to permeate all strata and regions of his kingdom, impacting individual lives and communal practices.
- This specific act of spiritual reformation foreshadows the broader judicial and religious reforms Jehoshaphat instituted later in the chapter (2 Chr 19:5-11), where he appoints judges and instructs priests and Levites, showing that individual spiritual awakening must be supported by proper infrastructure and teaching.
- The effectiveness of prophetic word: The sharp rebuke from Jehu the prophet (2 Chr 19:2-3) directly spurred Jehoshaphat to this corrective action, highlighting the indispensable role of God's messengers in holding leadership accountable and guiding them toward righteous paths.
- The term "God of their fathers" constantly appears in chronicles to stress historical fidelity, legitimate worship, and serves as a powerful argument against foreign deities, grounding Israel's identity firmly in its unique covenant with Yahweh through generations.
2 Chronicles 19 4 Commentary
2 Chronicles 19:4 depicts a king who, having narrowly escaped the consequences of unholy alliance and faced a stern prophetic rebuke, turned that moment of crisis into a catalyst for profound national renewal. Jehoshaphat's actions here are not merely political maneuvering but genuine spiritual leadership born of repentance. Instead of resting in Jerusalem, he initiated a personal and comprehensive kingdom-wide tour. This wasn't just a survey; it was a mission to bring back the people. The phrase "from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim" denotes the maximal extent of his religious influence, implying a fervent desire to see a widespread return to Yahweh, the covenant God of their lineage. This movement explicitly countered the rampant idolatry and religious apathy that plagued Judah. It wasn't enough for the king to be personally pious; he recognized his royal duty to facilitate his subjects' return to proper worship and covenant fidelity. This illustrates that true repentance manifests not just in internal change but in active, outward measures for the spiritual good of the community, setting the stage for institutional reforms in the justice system and priesthood.