2 Chronicles 30 19

2 Chronicles 30:19 kjv

That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 30:19 nkjv

who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary."

2 Chronicles 30:19 niv

who sets their heart on seeking God?the LORD, the God of their ancestors?even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."

2 Chronicles 30:19 esv

who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness."

2 Chronicles 30:19 nlt

who decide to follow the LORD, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony."

2 Chronicles 30 verses

2 Chronicles 30 19 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Hezekiah's intercessory prayer for those celebrating the Passover who were unable to ritually purify themselves according to the Law, yet sincerely desired to worship God. It highlights that God values an individual's genuine intention and inward commitment to seek Him more than strict, external ceremonial perfection, especially when such perfection is unattainable under specific circumstances. The prayer asks God, in His grace, to pardon these well-intentioned but ritually unclean individuals.

2 Chronicles 30 19 Context

Chapter 30 details King Hezekiah's unparalleled initiative to revive the Passover celebration in Jerusalem, inviting not only Judah but also remnants of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, who had largely neglected their covenant relationship with God. This was a radical step, especially given that many attendees from the northern tribes were ritually unclean, having not properly consecrated themselves as required by Mosaic law, or simply being accustomed to idolatrous practices. Hezekiah himself admits in verse 18 that a "great number of the people" had not cleansed themselves. It is within this specific historical and religious predicament, where external ritual purity was lacking for many but the desire to worship was present, that Hezekiah offers this intercessory prayer. His prayer immediately precedes God's gracious response, showing divine acceptance despite human imperfection.

2 Chronicles 30 19 Word analysis

• that they may prepare: (Heb. וּלְכַבֵּן u-lĕkhabbēn from root כּוּן kûn). This word implies to "make firm," "establish," "make ready," "direct," or "fix." It denotes an active, volitional choice and a purposeful setting of one's inner disposition. It's not passive acceptance, but a deliberate alignment of will.
• their heart: (Heb. לִבָּם libbam from לֵבָב lēbāb). In biblical thought, the "heart" is far more than just the organ of emotion. It represents the innermost being, the seat of intellect, will, reason, moral choices, and deepest intentions. Preparing the heart means orienting one's entire inner person.
• to seek God: (Heb. לִדְרוֹשׁ הָאֱלֹהִים lidrōsh hā'ĕlōhîm).
  • to seek: (Heb. דָּרַשׁ dārash). This verb signifies diligent inquiry, frequenting for consultation, or earnest pursuit. It's an active, consistent, and intensive looking for God, His presence, His will, and His guidance. It's not a superficial glance but a deep, earnest quest.
  • God: (Heb. הָאֱלֹהִים hā'ĕlōhîm). Refers to God as the mighty Creator and Supreme Judge, the object of their worship.
• the LORD: (Heb. יְהוָה YHWH). This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing Him as the ever-present, faithful, and unchangeable one who keeps His promises and enters into relationship with His people. It connects this act of seeking to the historical, covenantal God of Israel.
• God of their fathers: (Heb. אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם ʾĕlōhê ʾăbôtêhem). This phrase reinforces the covenant heritage and identifies God as the one who established His relationship with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and throughout their national history. It emphasizes His unchanging faithfulness to His promises across generations, anchoring the present act of worship in a rich historical and theological context.
• in truth: (Heb. בֶּאֱמֶת beʾĕmet from אֱמֶת ʾĕmet). This signifies integrity, faithfulness, genuineness, and reliability. Seeking God "in truth" means with sincerity, without pretense or hypocrisy, a desire that corresponds to reality and to God's nature. It contrasts with purely outward, ritualistic obedience.

Words-group analysis:

• "that they may prepare their heart to seek God": This phrase describes an inward, spiritual commitment and a volitional act. It speaks to the heart's disposition—its readiness and fixed intention—as a prerequisite for genuine spiritual pursuit. It suggests that a sincere desire to find and connect with God originates from within, regardless of external circumstances.
• "the LORD God of their fathers, in truth": This specifies the object of their seeking and the manner of their seeking. "The LORD God of their fathers" roots their worship in Israel's historical covenant and lineage, emphasizing continuity and God's consistent faithfulness. "In truth" modifies their seeking, ensuring that their pursuit is authentic, sincere, and free from hypocrisy, aligning with God's very nature of faithfulness and reliability. This combination asserts that proper worship involves both reverence for covenant history and internal integrity.

2 Chronicles 30 19 Bonus section

The divine acceptance of the ritually unclean, simply because they "prepared their heart to seek God," serves as a significant precursor to the New Covenant's emphasis on inward transformation and spiritual access through grace rather than by the exhaustive demands of the Mosaic Law. It subtly argues against a purely external or legalistic understanding of righteousness, illustrating God's capacity for clemency and His deep understanding of the human condition. This act of grace in Hezekiah's day provided a powerful testimony to the accessibility of God's forgiveness, affirming that true worship stems from a sincere desire to draw near to Him, not just adherence to an impossible standard of purity. This grace did not negate the Law, but transcended it in that specific moment due to the genuine posture of the people's hearts and their king's intercession.

2 Chronicles 30 19 Commentary

2 Chronicles 30:19 is a profound statement on the nature of acceptable worship. Faced with a dilemma—people with genuine desire but ritual impurity—King Hezekiah appeals to God's mercy rather than strict adherence to the Law. He understood that while the Law required outward purification, God primarily looks at the heart. This verse reveals a God who prioritizes internal spiritual disposition—a sincere, purposeful desire to seek Him—over external ceremonial fault, especially when the latter is unavoidable or misunderstood due to generations of spiritual decline. God's response to this prayer (v. 20, "And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people") underscores His compassion and willingness to cleanse those who approach Him with truthfulness and a longing for connection, even if imperfect in other respects. This concept foreshadows prophetic messages about heart-centered worship (e.g., Hos 6:6) and the New Testament emphasis on worship "in spirit and truth" (Jhn 4:24), highlighting the timeless principle that God desires a right heart above all else.

• Examples:
  • A person facing illness cannot attend church but prays fervently at home, sincerely seeking God.
  • Someone in poverty, unable to offer material sacrifices, dedicates their entire being and meager resources to God's glory with genuine love.
  • Individuals from a challenging background, new to faith, striving to live righteously though they may still struggle with past habits, are accepted by God for their sincere pursuit.