2 Chronicles 30 8

2 Chronicles 30:8 kjv

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 30:8 nkjv

Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 30:8 niv

Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the LORD. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 30:8 esv

Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 30:8 nlt

Do not be stubborn, as they were, but submit yourselves to the LORD. Come to his Temple, which he has set apart as holy forever. Worship the LORD your God so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 30 verses

2 Chronicles 30 8 Meaning

Second Chronicles 30:8 presents King Hezekiah's fervent appeal to the remaining tribes of Israel, urging them to abandon the stubborn disobedience of their ancestors and turn wholeheartedly back to the LORD. It emphasizes the necessity of genuine submission to God, a return to proper worship in His divinely consecrated sanctuary, and faithful service, promising that such repentance will avert God's righteous wrath. It is a call to a covenant renewal, highlighting the urgency of immediate action and the hope of divine restoration.

2 Chronicles 30 8 Context

Chapter 30 of 2 Chronicles opens with King Hezekiah's unprecedented initiative to revive the celebration of Passover. Recognizing that Israel's past calamities stemmed from their abandonment of God, Hezekiah sent letters throughout both Judah and even to the northern tribes of Israel, still reeling from Assyrian invasion and facing imminent destruction (many had been taken captive in 722 BC, shortly before this Passover in 715 BC, but there was a remnant left). This was a call for national repentance and a return to the LORD in Jerusalem, bridging the historical division between the two kingdoms for a shared spiritual renewal. Verse 8 forms a pivotal part of this urgent invitation, addressing the skepticism and past behaviors that could hinder their response. It underscores that God's judgment, manifested through the Assyrians, was a direct consequence of their ancestral and current apostasy, and that the only path to safety and divine favor was humble submission and consecrated worship.

2 Chronicles 30 8 Word analysis

• Now (עַתָּה - 'attah): This opening word signals urgency and immediacy. It's a call for action at this moment, contrasting with the prolonged historical stubbornness of the past.
• be not stiffnecked (אַל־תַּקְשׁוּ עָרְפְּכֶם - ʾal-taqshū ʿārᵉpᵉkem): Literally "do not stiffen your neck." This idiomatic expression denotes stubbornness, obstinacy, and resistance to authority or guidance. It's an image derived from unmanageable animals that resist the yoke or halter, refusing to be led. Spiritually, it signifies a refusal to humble oneself, obey God's commands, or accept His discipline, often found throughout the Pentateuch to describe Israel's rebellion (Exod 32:9, Deut 9:6).
• as your fathers were: This phrase highlights the generational pattern of disobedience. It serves as a stark warning, reminding them that the previous generation's refusal to heed God's voice led to divine judgment and severe consequences (e.g., wilderness wandering, loss of the land, eventually exile). Hezekiah implores them not to repeat this destructive cycle.
• but yield yourselves (וּתְנוּ־יָד - ūtᵉnū-yāḏ): Literally "and give the hand." This is a significant Hebrew idiom expressing submission, surrender, alliance, or a pledge of allegiance. It's a powerful visual of voluntarily placing oneself under another's authority or protection, entering into a covenant commitment. This isn't coerced obedience but a willing, humble self-surrender to the LORD's rightful kingship.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): The specific focus of their surrender. It must be directed to God, the sovereign and holy covenant Lord, not any earthly power or false deity.
• and enter into his sanctuary (וּבֹאוּ לְמִקְדָּשׁוֹ - ūḇōʾū lᵉmiqdašō): The "sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ - miqdaš) refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This instruction is profoundly significant, as access to the Temple for the northern tribes had been restricted or replaced by idolatrous sites (e.g., Dan and Bethel). To enter His sanctuary means to come back into proper worship, communion, and atonement according to God's ordained ways, recognizing the Temple as the designated place where God met with His people.
• which he hath sanctified for ever (אֲשֶׁר הִקְדִּישׁ לְעוֹלָם - ʾăšer hiqdish lᵉʿôlām): The Temple was "sanctified" (set apart as holy) not by man, but by God Himself, and its sacred status was intended to be "for ever" (lᵉʿôlām), indicating a divine, enduring holiness and purpose. This underscores the permanence of God's dwelling and covenant promises associated with that sacred space, despite the people's transient disobedience or even physical destruction it might suffer. It points to God's unchanging nature.
• and serve the LORD your God (וְעִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - wᵉʿiḇdû ʾeṯ-YHWH ʾᵉlōheykem): "Serve" (עֲבֹדוּ - ʿăḇoḏû) means to worship, to obey, to fulfill the duties of a servant. It implies a lifestyle of devotion and obedience stemming from the "yielding" described earlier. This is not ritual alone, but practical faithfulness in every area of life, reflecting a renewed covenant relationship.
• that the fierceness of his wrath (וְיָשֻׁב מִכֶּם חֲרוֹן־אַפּוֹ - wᵉyāshuḇ mikkem ḥărôn-ʾappōw): The purpose of this transformation. "Fierceness of his wrath" (חֲרוֹן־אַפּוֹ - ḥărôn-ʾappōw, literally "burning of his nose/face") is an anthropomorphism expressing God's intense, righteous indignation and severe judgment against persistent sin and rebellion.
• may turn away from you (יָשֻׁב מִכֶּם - yāshuḇ mikkem): God's wrath, a consequence of sin, can be averted through genuine repentance and obedience. This emphasizes God's compassion and willingness to relent when His people return to Him. It presents hope: their change can effect God's change in disposition toward them, turning from judgment to favor.

Words-group Analysis:

• "be not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD": This powerful contrast highlights the central theme of Hezekiah's appeal. It calls for a radical break from a past pattern of rebellion, replacing it with an active, willing surrender to God's authority. This "giving the hand" implies making a covenant, committing oneself fully and submitting to divine instruction rather than human stubbornness.
• "enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God": This pairing outlines the practical manifestation of their repentance. Entering the divinely appointed, perpetually holy sanctuary represents a return to correct worship and fellowship. Serving God "there" and generally, signifies an obedience that is both liturgical and lifestyle-oriented, demonstrating sincere commitment rooted in humility and love for God. This specific reference to the Temple as "sanctified for ever" by God, serves as a promise of God's faithfulness despite Israel's historical unfaithfulness. The holy place is a testament to God's abiding nature and an unchanging point of divine encounter.
• "that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you": This phrase articulates the profound consequence and desired outcome of their repentance. God's wrath is not arbitrary; it is a just response to rebellion. Yet, it is conditional and can be mitigated or averted when people turn to Him. It provides the motivation for their turning—deliverance from impending judgment and the restoration of God's favor.

2 Chronicles 30 8 Bonus section

• The call to "yield yourselves unto the LORD" finds a deep resonance in the New Testament concept of repentance, where turning from sin also involves turning to God with an open heart (Acts 26:20). It mirrors the call for believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Rom 12:1).
• The phrase "sanctified for ever" in relation to the Temple carries prophetic weight. While the physical Temple was eventually destroyed, the enduring holiness points to God's unwavering character and purpose. It can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament realities: Christ's body as the ultimate Temple (Jn 2:21), and believers themselves becoming God's holy dwelling place through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The true, eternal sanctuary is no longer confined to a building, but embodied in Christ and His church, making God accessible "for ever."
• Hezekiah's audacious invitation to the northern tribes, who were estranged and culturally different, demonstrates God's persistent grace that transcends division and previous apostasy. It's a testament to His desire for all His people to return and partake in His covenant blessings, showing a God who initiates reconciliation even when hope seems lost.

2 Chronicles 30 8 Commentary

Verse 8 of 2 Chronicles 30 stands as a foundational summary of Hezekiah's revival. It reveals several vital principles concerning God's relationship with His people. First, God hates stubborn disobedience ("stiffnecked") which prevents His people from receiving His blessings and invites His righteous judgment, often observed throughout their history ("as your fathers were"). This underscores the consistent nature of God's character and the consequences of violating His covenant. Second, God desires a profound, inner transformation – a willing surrender of the heart and life ("yield yourselves unto the LORD"), not just external compliance. This involves an active "giving of the hand," a spiritual pledge of allegiance to the one true God, signifying repentance and renewed commitment. Third, true repentance involves a return to God's ordained patterns of worship and obedience. For Israel, this meant reconnecting with the Temple in Jerusalem, which was divinely set apart ("sanctified forever") and was the symbol and physical manifestation of His holy presence among them. Fourth, their actions were directly tied to God's response. The ultimate aim was to turn away God's "fierceness of His wrath" – the severe judgment provoked by their deep-seated rebellion. This highlights God's justice, but also His boundless mercy and patience. Hezekiah's message implies that divine judgment is preventable through genuine, collective repentance. It offers hope for restoration, demonstrating that God is ever ready to forgive and embrace those who humbly return to Him in faith and obedience, a powerful invitation extended even to the remnants of Israel, pointing to His enduring covenant love.