2 Chronicles 33 12

2 Chronicles 33:12 kjv

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

2 Chronicles 33:12 nkjv

Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

2 Chronicles 33:12 niv

In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors.

2 Chronicles 33:12 esv

And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

2 Chronicles 33:12 nlt

But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.

2 Chronicles 33 verses

2 Chronicles 33 12 Meaning

This verse describes a profound turning point in King Manasseh's life. Following the severe consequences of his wickedness, experiencing affliction, he humbly sought the LORD his God. His action was a direct appeal for favor and a deep, sincere submission before the God his ancestors served, indicating a genuine repentance.

2 Chronicles 33 12 Context

Chapter 33 details the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah, the son of King Hezekiah. Manasseh ascended the throne at age twelve and reigned for 55 years, making him the longest-reigning king of Judah. Verses 1-9 vividly describe his extreme wickedness, surpassing even the abominations of the nations Israel dispossessed. He rebuilt high places, erected altars to Baals, made Asherah poles, worshiped the sun, moon, and stars, built altars for idols in the Temple, sacrificed his sons, practiced divination and sorcery, and consulted mediums. His sins were so profound they defiled Judah more than the surrounding pagan nations. Because of this wickedness, the LORD brought against him the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria (verse 11), who captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains, and took him to Babylon. This severe discipline serves as the immediate historical backdrop for his turning point in verse 12.

2 Chronicles 33 12 Word analysis

• And when he was: Implies a pivotal moment linked directly to his circumstances.
• in affliction: Hebrew: בַּצַּר לוֹ (batzar lo). From צַר (tzar), meaning narrow, distress, trouble, anguish. It describes a situation of intense pressure and distress. This affliction was not coincidental but was a direct result of divine judgment for his extensive idolatry and wickedness. It indicates God's method of drawing Manasseh to repentance.
• he besought: Hebrew: חִלָּה (ḥillâ), Piel form of חָלַל (ḥalal), meaning "to entreat favor," "to appease," "to implore earnestly." It conveys a desperate and intense plea, far beyond casual prayer. It signifies a profound seeking of God's face or favor. This is the posture of a petitioner acknowledging dependency and guilt.
• the LORD: Hebrew: יְהֹוָה (YHWH), the personal covenant name of God, indicating His faithful and powerful nature, specifically in His relationship with Israel. Manasseh turned from pagan deities to the true God.
• his God: Underscores the personal nature of Manasseh's relationship being re-established. Despite his grave sins, YHWH remained accessible to him as "his God" through covenant.
• and humbled himself: Hebrew: וַיִּכָּנַע (vayyikkanʿa). From כָּנַע (kanʿa), meaning to be brought low, subdued, to submit. This is a crucial act demonstrating true repentance. It contrasts sharply with his previous arrogance and defiant sin. It means to abandon pride and adopt a posture of humility and submission to God's will.
• greatly: Hebrew: מְאֹד (mĕʾod), meaning very much, exceedingly, strongly. This intensifies the preceding phrase, emphasizing the depth and sincerity of his humility. It was not a superficial or reluctant act, but a profound internal change.
• before: Implies an acknowledgment of God's presence, authority, and ultimate sovereignty.
• the God of his fathers: Connects God to the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and reinforced throughout Israel's history. This phrase grounds Manasseh's repentance in the historical and redemptive narrative of his people, indicating a return to the covenant relationship his ancestors had with God, unlike the foreign deities he previously served.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God": This phrase highlights a divine strategy of correction. Affliction often serves as a catalyst for individuals to turn towards God. It shows that even a king who went to extreme lengths in rebellion was not beyond God's reach and the redemptive power of discipline. It signifies a recognition of the source of his trouble and the proper destination for help.
• "and humbled himself greatly": This stresses the depth of Manasseh's transformation. His repentance was not just a superficial prayer but involved a complete change of attitude and surrender of his royal pride. This humility is key to receiving God's favor.
• "before the God of his fathers": This phrase is significant in confirming the legitimacy and authenticity of his conversion. It implies not only acknowledging God as the supreme being but also specifically the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God of Israel. This denotes a repudiation of his previous polytheism and a return to the ancestral faith.

2 Chronicles 33 12 Bonus section

The chronicler's account of Manasseh's repentance, unique to 2 Chronicles and not found in 2 Kings, highlights a key theological emphasis of Chronicles: the accessibility of divine grace and restoration through sincere repentance, even for leaders who commit egregious sins. This account serves as a powerful testament to God's long-suffering mercy and His desire for humanity's reconciliation, rather than purely judgment. While 2 Kings focuses on the cumulative sin leading to exile, Chronicles emphasizes the potential for return and revival through the king's piety (or lack thereof). Manasseh's narrative demonstrates that no one is beyond redemption if they genuinely turn to the God of their fathers with a humble and contrite heart, a message deeply resonant in the post-exilic context of the book's compilation.

2 Chronicles 33 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 33:12 encapsulates a remarkable example of radical repentance and divine grace. Manasseh, arguably the most wicked king in Judah's history, whose evil deeds led directly to Judah's future exile (2 Ki 24:3), was not beyond the reach of God's restorative power. His journey from arrogant idolatry to abject humility in chains illustrates that genuine repentance, no matter how severe the past sins, always finds a responsive and merciful God. The "affliction" was not punitive destruction but corrective discipline, a divine strategy to bring Manasseh to his senses. His "beseeching" was an earnest cry for help, indicating the severity of his distress and the depth of his desperation. "Humbled himself greatly" conveys an unreserved surrender of his kingship, pride, and former ways. The specific designation "the God of his fathers" signals a full and sincere return to the covenant God of Israel, forsaking all foreign gods he had so defiantly introduced. This verse serves as a beacon of hope, testifying to God's readiness to forgive those who, in genuine brokenness and humility, turn to Him, regardless of their past wickedness.

Examples of Manasseh's story for practical usage:

• Even the most severe sinner can find forgiveness and restoration through genuine repentance.
• Affliction, though painful, can be a divinely orchestrated means to draw individuals closer to God.
• True repentance involves a profound humbling of oneself and turning away from former sin.