2 Chronicles 31 21

2 Chronicles 31:21 kjv

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

2 Chronicles 31:21 nkjv

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.

2 Chronicles 31:21 niv

In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

2 Chronicles 31:21 esv

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

2 Chronicles 31:21 nlt

In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God's laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.

2 Chronicles 31 verses

2 Chronicles 31 21 Meaning

2 Chronicles 31:21 describes the exceptional devotion of King Hezekiah in his service to God. It states that in every endeavor he undertook related to the temple, God's law, and commandments, he pursued it with complete sincerity and profound dedication, resulting in the divine blessing of success and prosperity in all his undertakings. This verse highlights the profound connection between wholehearted obedience and God-given triumph.

2 Chronicles 31 21 Context

Chapter 31 of 2 Chronicles details the significant reforms implemented by King Hezekiah following the spiritual decay during the reign of his father Ahaz. Hezekiah led a kingdom-wide revival, restoring the temple, re-establishing proper worship, and purging idolatry. This particular verse (2 Chr 31:21) serves as a concluding summary and commendation of Hezekiah’s reign and character, following the account of the people's generous giving for the temple service (v. 5-10) and Hezekiah's arrangements for the Levites and priests (v. 11-19). It emphasizes the king's sincere and comprehensive devotion to God in all his administrative and religious undertakings, contrasting sharply with many previous kings of Judah who faltered in their commitment. The prosperity mentioned is not merely material but signifies divine favor and effectiveness in fulfilling God’s purposes.

2 Chronicles 31 21 Word analysis

• And in every work: (וּבְכָל־מַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה – ūḇəḵāl-maʿăśeh) This emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of Hezekiah's dedication. It implies no task, great or small, was approached half-heartedly.
• that he began: (אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֵחֵל֙ – ʾăšer hēḥēl) Refers to initiatives or undertakings he started. He was not just reactive but proactively engaged in serving God.
• in the service of the house of God: (בְּעֲבֹדַ֖ת בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים – bəʿăḇōḏaṯ bêṯ hāʾĕlōhîm) Directly relates to the practical duties and administration within the Temple, which was central to Israelite worship. This included its cleansing, the re-institution of sacrifices, and the organization of the priestly courses.
• and in the law: (וּבַתּוֹרָ֖ה – ūḇattōrāh) Refers to God's revealed instruction, the Torah, encompassing moral, civil, and ceremonial precepts. Hezekiah sought to bring the nation back into alignment with it.
• and in the commandments: (וּבַמִּצְוָה֙ – ūḇammiṣwāh) Similar to 'law', emphasizing specific divine ordinances or precepts. Together with "Torah," it highlights obedience to the entirety of God's revealed will.
• to seek his God: (לִדְר֖וֹשׁ אֱלֹהָ֑יו – lidərōš ʾĕlōhāyw) (lit. "to search," "to inquire," "to consult," "to frequent for advice or worship"). This points to an active and intentional pursuit of God's will and presence. It indicates a personal relationship and reliance.
• he did it with all his heart: (בְּכָל־לְבָב֖וֹ עָשָׂ֑ה – bəḵāl-ləḇāḇōw ʿāśāh) (lit. "with all his inner being"). This is the critical component. 'Heart' (לֵבָב – levav) in Hebrew thought refers to the entirety of a person's inner being—their mind, will, emotions, and character. "With all his heart" denotes sincerity, dedication, fervent passion, and unreserved commitment. It excludes hypocrisy, apathy, or wavering resolve. This phrase is fundamental in the Deuteronomic call for obedience and love (Deut 6:5).
• and prospered: (וְהִצְלִֽיחַ׃ – wəhiṣlîaḥ) (Hiphil of צָלַח – tsalach, "to push forward," "to succeed," "to accomplish," "to be profitable"). This signifies divine favor, successful outcome, and general well-being. It is a direct result of his wholehearted devotion, showing God’s blessing upon faithful work. This prosperity is not limited to material gain but implies success in achieving spiritual and national goals.

2 Chronicles 31 21 Bonus section

The phrase "with all his heart" (bəḵāl-ləḇāḇōw) is a critical theological concept in the Hebrew Bible, originating from the Shema (Deut 6:5). It highlights an internal, holistic commitment that encompasses intellect, will, and emotion, as opposed to mere outward conformity. This commitment is often portrayed as a prerequisite for genuine repentance and revival (e.g., Jer 29:13). The Chronicler, in particular, frequently uses this phrase to commend or condemn kings, setting Hezekiah apart as one who fully embraced this principle, contrasting him with others who might have sought God "only in part" or "not with a perfect heart." The prosperity experienced by Hezekiah serves as a vindication of the Chronicler's theological message: national well-being and success are directly tied to the kings' and people's adherence to YHWH, especially regarding true worship and obedience to His law, differentiating true blessings from the deceptive promises of idolatry. This concept transcends material wealth, encompassing spiritual flourishing and effective leadership for God's purposes.

2 Chronicles 31 21 Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:21 provides a succinct yet profound summary of King Hezekiah's character and the divine response to his faithful reign. The Chronicler frequently evaluates kings based on their devotion to God's temple and law, and Hezekiah stands out as an exemplar. His "wholeheartedness" is the cornerstone of his commendation, meaning he approached every task in God's service, from major reforms in the temple to obedience to the written law, without reservation or duplicity. This inner disposition of complete surrender and earnest pursuit of God's will translated into external actions that bore divine blessing. The result, "he prospered," indicates God's active involvement in His life and rule, making his endeavors successful not merely by human effort but by divine enablement. It underlines a core biblical principle: sincerity and unreserved dedication to God’s work unlock God’s favor and lead to tangible, God-given success, demonstrating that true flourishing comes from alignment with divine purposes rather than human ambition. This stands as a powerful testament to the value God places on sincere, internal devotion reflected in obedient action.