2 Chronicles 30 11

2 Chronicles 30:11 kjv

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:11 nkjv

Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:11 niv

Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:11 esv

However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:11 nlt

However, some people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30 verses

2 Chronicles 30 11 Meaning

2 Chronicles 30:11 describes a significant, hopeful response to King Hezekiah’s nationwide invitation to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. While many from the northern kingdom scoffed at the message, this verse highlights a faithful remnant from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun. These individuals chose to humble themselves, demonstrating genuine repentance and a desire to align with God's law and worship, despite the prevalent idolatry and schism that had long divided Israel. Their journey to Jerusalem was an act of obedience and a restoration of true covenant worship.

2 Chronicles 30 11 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 30 details King Hezekiah's bold initiative to restore the Passover festival, which had not been celebrated according to the law for a very long time, likely since the days of Solomon. Having purged the temple and re-instituted daily sacrifices in Judah (Ch. 29), Hezekiah, in an unprecedented move, extended the invitation not only to all of Judah and Benjamin but also to the remnants of the northern tribes of Israel. This was despite the political and religious schism that had existed for over 200 years and the recent Assyrian conquest of much of the Northern Kingdom. The previous verse (2 Chronicles 30:10) describes how many in the Northern Kingdom scorned and ridiculed Hezekiah's messengers. Against this backdrop of widespread indifference and outright rejection, verse 11 provides a crucial counterpoint, highlighting that some from three specific northern tribes responded positively, signifying a glimmer of hope for spiritual restoration across the fractured nation.

2 Chronicles 30 11 Word analysis

• Nevertheless ('akh / אַךְ):

  • This adverb of limitation or exception indicates a sharp contrast to the previous verse (2 Chr 30:10), where most scoffed.
  • It highlights a reversal, a glimmer of hope amidst widespread scorn. It signals God's continued working despite human rebellion.
  • Significance: Emphasizes divine grace that secures a remnant even in apostasy.

• some (miqqol / מִכָּל־):

  • Literally "from all of them," referring to "from all" of the northern tribes. It does not mean "all of them," but "some from all those invited."
  • Indicates that not the entire population, but a discerning minority, chose to obey.
  • Significance: God often works through a faithful remnant, preserving truth amidst majority deviation.

• from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun:

  • These are tribes located in the northern parts of Israel, often far from Jerusalem. Asher and Zebulun were north of Manasseh, suggesting a widespread response rather than a localized one.
  • Historically, these tribes were part of the Northern Kingdom, prone to idolatry, and under Assyrian influence/occupation. Their response is especially significant.
  • Significance: Their humility transcended long-standing political, religious, and geographical barriers, highlighting a genuine spiritual movement.

• humbled themselves (yikhna'u / יִכָּֽנְעוּ ; nefashotam / נַפְשׁוֹתָם):

  • yikhna'u comes from kanac, meaning "to humble oneself, to be submissive, to subdue."
  • nefashotam is "their souls, their persons." The phrase "humbled their souls/persons" signifies an internal, deliberate act of spiritual submission and repentance. It’s a willing, sincere prostration of one's inner self before God.
  • This contrasts sharply with the "stiff-necked" attitude prevalent in much of Israel's history. It denotes a recognition of their spiritual brokenness and need for God.
  • Significance: True repentance involves profound inner humility and self-abasement before God's authority.

• and came:

  • A simple verb signifying physical action following their internal transformation.
  • This indicates active obedience to the invitation. It involved effort, leaving their homes, and undertaking a journey.
  • Significance: True repentance and humility are demonstrated not just in feeling, but in concrete acts of obedience and devotion.

• to Jerusalem:

  • The divinely appointed center for Yahweh's worship, according to the Law (Deut 12).
  • This journey to Jerusalem symbolized their re-alignment with the covenant and the exclusive worship of God at His chosen sanctuary, abandoning the idolatrous worship centers of the North.
  • Significance: A pilgrimage of faith, emphasizing the centrality of God's prescribed worship location and method.

Words-Group analysis

• "Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun": This phrase paints a picture of a challenging mission encountering initial widespread scorn, yet against all odds, a breakthrough occurred among individuals from specific, historically recalcitrant northern tribes. It highlights God's ability to preserve and stir a remnant even in deeply backslidden contexts.

• "humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem": This pair of actions describes the full journey of faith for these individuals: first, the inner transformation of repentance and submission (humbled themselves), followed by the outward act of obedient worship (came to Jerusalem). This underscores that genuine faith involves both an internal spiritual posture and external, tangible adherence to God’s commands. It’s the antithesis of the scoffing described earlier.

2 Chronicles 30 11 Bonus section

The very existence of this faithful remnant from the Northern Kingdom underscores the ongoing spiritual struggle within Israel and God's persistent covenant faithfulness even in widespread apostasy. Hezekiah's invitation, extending to "all Israel" (2 Chr 30:6), was not only a religious decree but also a significant political and theological statement challenging the religious autonomy and idolatry of the Northern Kingdom and subtly reasserting Jerusalem's rightful spiritual centrality. The tribes mentioned (Asher, Manasseh, Zebulun) highlight that this positive response wasn't confined to areas closest to Judah but reached into the distant north, potentially those most devastated or religiously adrift due to the Assyrian conquest. Their humility contrasts sharply with the "stiff-necked" generations that led to the Northern Kingdom's fall, demonstrating a spiritual breakthrough unique to their time and pointing towards a future national repentance that many prophets yearned for.

2 Chronicles 30 11 Commentary

2 Chronicles 30:11 captures a powerful moment of spiritual awakening. Following King Hezekiah’s earnest, divinely inspired call to national repentance and revival through the celebration of Passover, many scorned and mocked the invitation (v.10). Yet, the chronicler carefully notes that a precious few from the northern tribes responded positively. The word "nevertheless" underscores God's grace and ability to call out a remnant even when the majority rejects Him. Their act of "humbling themselves" was pivotal. It signifies a profound shift from pride and rebellion to submission to God's will and law, rejecting the long-standing apostasy of the Northern Kingdom. This inner change motivated them to physically journey to Jerusalem, demonstrating their commitment to restoring proper worship at God's chosen sanctuary. This response, albeit from a minority, illustrates that God always reserves a remnant who will obey and signals His restorative hand at work, fostering unity even across a historically fractured nation.

• Example for Practical Usage: In any time of spiritual decline, this verse reminds us that even when many dismiss the call of God, some will still choose to humble themselves and respond, thereby experiencing revival. It challenges believers to be among "the some" who humbly obey.