2 Chronicles 19:7 kjv
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
2 Chronicles 19:7 nkjv
Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes."
2 Chronicles 19:7 niv
Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."
2 Chronicles 19:7 esv
Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes."
2 Chronicles 19:7 nlt
Fear the LORD and judge with integrity, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes."
2 Chronicles 19 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:15 | You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor show favoritism to the mighty... | Command for impartial judgment |
| Dt 1:17 | You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike... | Judicial impartiality enjoined |
| Dt 10:17 | For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords... who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. | God's character: impartial, incorruptible |
| Dt 16:19 | You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe... | Prohibition against judicial corruption |
| D Prov 24:23 | These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. | Wisdom against judicial bias |
| Is 33:15 | He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly... who disdains the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands lest they hold a bribe... | Description of the righteous man |
| Amos 5:12 | For I know your manifold transgressions... afflicting the just and taking bribes; turning aside the poor in the gate from justice. | Condemnation of judicial bribery |
| Mic 3:11 | Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD... | Rebuke for corrupt leadership |
| Job 34:19 | Who shows no partiality to princes nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of His hands? | God's absolute impartiality |
| Ps 7:11 | God is a righteous judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. | God's attribute as a righteous Judge |
| Ps 82:2 | How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? | Rebuke to unjust judges |
| Ps 94:15 | For judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it. | Hope for ultimate justice |
| Eccl 5:8 | If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province... | Acknowledgment of widespread injustice |
| Mal 3:5 | "And I will come near you for judgment... against those who oppress... and who turn aside a sojourner... and do not fear Me," says the LORD. | God judges those who pervert justice |
| Acts 10:34 | Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality." | God's impartiality in New Testament |
| Rom 2:11 | For there is no partiality with God. | Divine impartiality principle |
| Gal 2:6 | But from those who seemed to be something... God does not show personal favoritism... | God judges based on character, not status |
| Eph 6:9 | And you masters, do the same things to them... knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. | Applies impartiality to human masters |
| Col 3:25 | But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. | No favoritism in divine reckoning |
| Jas 2:1 | My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. | Command against favoritism in the church |
| Jas 2:9 | But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. | Partiality identified as sin |
| 1 Pet 1:17 | And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear... | God's impartial judgment as a basis for holy living |
2 Chronicles 19 verses
2 Chronicles 19 7 Meaning
This verse contains King Jehoshaphat's urgent instruction to those he appointed as judges, commanding them to administer justice with profound integrity and diligence, driven by reverential awe of God. He grounds this imperative in God's own immutable character, emphasizing that the LORD our God is perfectly just, never shows favoritism, and cannot be influenced by corrupting payments. Their judgment, in essence, is for the LORD.
2 Chronicles 19 7 Context
This verse is a crucial part of King Jehoshaphat's comprehensive judicial reforms in Judah. Following a sharp rebuke from Jehu the prophet (2 Chr 19:1-3) for his misguided alliance with King Ahab of Israel, Jehoshaphat rededicated himself to leading his kingdom back to the LORD. His reforms included travelling throughout the land to bring the people back to the LORD and establishing a formalized system of justice. He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of Judah and established a supreme court in Jerusalem (2 Chr 19:5-11). Verse 7 represents Jehoshaphat's direct, personal charge to these newly appointed judges. He impresses upon them the profound spiritual and moral responsibility of their role, stating that their judgments are ultimately rendered "for the LORD." The historical and cultural context highlights the constant struggle in ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, against corruption in the judiciary through bribes and favoritism, issues frequently condemned in the Law (e.g., Exod 23:8; Dt 16:19). Jehoshaphat's charge directly counters these tendencies by anchoring the integrity of justice in the impeccable character of God Himself.
2 Chronicles 19 7 Word analysis
- "Now therefore": (we'attah in Hebrew) This is a strong logical connector, signifying a conclusion or summation based on what has just been stated—the appointment of judges and the sacred nature of their task as judging for God. It marks a shift to the critical instruction.
- "let the fear of the LORD": Hebrew: yir'ah YHWH. This is a central biblical concept. It refers not to terror but to a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, authority, and power. This deep regard motivates one to obey His commands and live righteously, serving as a powerful moral compass, especially vital for those in leadership and judgment. It implies recognizing divine accountability.
- "be upon you": Suggests an all-encompassing, permeating influence. It means this fear should rest upon, cover, and deeply affect their minds and actions, guiding their every decision as judges.
- "take care and act": Hebrew: re'u va'asu (literally "see/discern and do"). This is a twofold imperative: "take care" implies a command for careful consideration, discernment, and attentive observation of facts and law. "Act" means to perform their duty with diligence and purpose, faithfully carrying out righteous judgment based on their careful observation. It demands both vigilance and execution.
- "for there is no injustice": Hebrew: 'awel. This word signifies wickedness, perversity, or unrighteousness. It is the absence of what is straight, upright, or fair. The declaration asserts God's absolute moral perfection and rectitude, meaning He does not deviate from what is right.
- "with the LORD our God": This emphasizes God's inherent character as the ultimate standard. His justice is part of His very being. The possessive "our God" connects this universal attribute to the God of the covenant, the God of Israel, further reinforcing the high standard for those acting in His name.
- "or partiality": Hebrew: mas'at panim (literally "lifting up the face" or "acceptance of persons"). This denotes favoritism, bias, or preferential treatment shown based on a person's status, wealth, power, or personal relationship, rather than on the merits of the case and truth of the law. God is perfectly unbiased.
- "or taking a bribe": Hebrew: sho'had. This specifically refers to a gift or payment given to corrupt one's judgment or actions. It's a clear prohibition against any form of financial or material inducement that perverts justice. God, by His holy nature, cannot be corrupted or swayed by such means.
2 Chronicles 19 7 Bonus section
This verse vividly illustrates the theological principle that divine justice is the ultimate pattern for human justice. Jehoshaphat understood that a society's well-being is intrinsically linked to the fairness of its judicial system, and that such fairness can only be maintained if the judges themselves operate under the moral authority and example of God. The "fear of the LORD" acts as a profound inner restraint, equipping judges to resist the widespread temptations of their position and prioritize truth above all personal gain or bias. This passage not only highlights ancient judicial practices but also provides timeless principles for any individual in a position of authority, calling them to uphold righteousness, reject all forms of partiality, and remain incorruptible, reflecting God's own holy and just character.
2 Chronicles 19 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 19:7 stands as King Jehoshaphat's earnest charge to the newly established judicial system in Judah. The command "let the fear of the LORD be upon you" is foundational; it dictates that judicial integrity must spring from a deep, reverential awe of God, not merely ethical conduct or human law. This spiritual grounding provides an internal motivation for uprightness, transcending external pressures. The subsequent call to "take care and act" demands both meticulous discernment and diligent execution of justice. The bedrock for all these instructions is God's own character, powerfully articulated in the final clause: "for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality, or taking a bribe." This three-fold assertion about God's perfect righteousness—His complete absence of crookedness, favoritism, or corruptibility—serves as the non-negotiable standard. Because their judgments are truly "for the LORD," human judges are implicitly warned against any perversion of justice common in their day. The verse thus sets an unchanging divine standard for all forms of human authority and judgment, emphasizing accountability to a perfectly righteous God.