2 Chronicles 7 19

2 Chronicles 7:19 kjv

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

2 Chronicles 7:19 nkjv

"But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them,

2 Chronicles 7:19 niv

"But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,

2 Chronicles 7:19 esv

"But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,

2 Chronicles 7:19 nlt

"But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods,

2 Chronicles 7 verses

2 Chronicles 7 19 Meaning

2 Chronicles 7:19 serves as a crucial conditional warning from God to Israel following the dedication of Solomon's Temple. It clearly outlines the dire consequences of disobedience, specifically if the people, or their kings, deliberately deviate from God's revealed laws and commit the supreme sin of idolatry by actively serving and worshipping false gods. This verse establishes a fundamental covenant principle, stating that their continued dwelling in the land and enjoyment of divine favor are contingent upon their exclusive fidelity to Yahweh and His commandments, contrasting sharply with the prior promises of blessings for obedience.

2 Chronicles 7 19 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 7 describes God's dramatic response to Solomon's prayer and the dedication of the newly completed Temple. Following the manifestation of God's glory (fire consuming sacrifices and the cloud filling the Temple), Solomon and all Israel offered abundant sacrifices (v. 4-10). The festivities lasted for fourteen days. God then appeared to Solomon by night (v. 12-22), reiterating the conditional nature of His covenant. Verse 19 is a direct counterpoint to the promise in verse 18 concerning the perpetual Davidic dynasty, establishing that while the promise of an eternal line for David stood, the presence of that line on the throne of Israel, and the very presence of the Temple, were utterly dependent on the people's and the king's continued faithfulness to God. This warning, articulated at the height of Israel's national prosperity and spiritual celebration, underscores the constant danger of apostasy and idolatry which plagued their history.

2 Chronicles 7 19 Word analysis

• But if: Introduces a stark conditional clause (כִּ֣י אִם, ki im). It signals a crucial warning that stands in direct opposition to the covenant blessings promised just prior (7:14-18), highlighting the ever-present possibility of turning away from God. This "if" presents a pivotal choice for the covenant community.
• you turn away: (וַתְּשֻׁבֻ֛ו, va-t'shu-vu) From the Hebrew verb שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn, return, turn back." Here, it signifies a deliberate spiritual defection, an intentional deviation from the right path and relationship with God. It implies a conscious act of departure.
• and forsake: (וַעֲזַבְתֶּם, va-a-zav-tem) From עָזַב (azav), meaning "to abandon, desert, leave behind, neglect." This word intensifies "turn away," implying a complete abandonment or relinquishing of that which was once held and esteemed. It is a more decisive and final action than merely turning.
• My statutes: (חֻקֹּתַי, khuq-qo-tay) From חֹק (choq), referring to God's decrees, ordinances, or fixed laws, often understood as foundational, non-negotiable principles. They are God's prescribed ways of living and worshipping.
• and My commandments: (וּמִצְוֺתַי, u-mitz-vo-tay) From מִצְוָה (mitz-vah), referring to specific injunctions, rules, or direct commands. Together with "statutes," these terms encompass the entirety of the Mosaic Law given to Israel, emphasizing that their disobedience would be a violation of all God had explicitly taught them.
• which I have set before you: Implies clear revelation and presentation. God had not hidden His will but had made it explicitly known. They had full knowledge of what was required, making their turning away an act of deliberate rebellion. The phrase highlights accountability.
• and go: (וַהֲלַכְתֶּם, va-ha-lakh-tem) From הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning "to walk, go." Here, it denotes an active and conscious pursuit of, or alignment with, other gods. It's not passive temptation but an energetic movement towards apostasy.
• and serve: (וַעֲבַדְתֶּם, va-a-vad-tem) From עָבַד (avad), meaning "to work, serve, worship, labor for." This signifies a transfer of allegiance and devotion from God to false deities. It implies active homage, obedience, and commitment to these false gods.
• other gods: (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, elo-him a-che-rim) Refers to deities other than Yahweh, emphasizing that the focus is on polytheism and breaking the first commandment. These are often the gods of surrounding nations, whose worship involved detestable practices.
• and worship them: (וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם, v'hish-ta-cha-vi-tem la-hem) From שָׁחָה (shachah), meaning "to bow down, prostrate oneself." This is the ultimate act of religious reverence and adoration, a public and physical expression of submission and devotion. It signifies the transfer of ultimate loyalty and exclusive worship that is due to Yahweh alone, making idolatry the most severe breach of the covenant.

2 Chronicles 7 19 Bonus section

This verse directly mirrors the warning given in 1 Kings 9:6-7 to Solomon after his prayer, showing a consistent divine message. The Deuteronomic influence is strong, reflecting the blessings and curses structure of Deut. 28, reminding Israel that their occupation of the land was not absolute but contingent. While the Davidic covenant's promise of an eternal dynasty (2 Sam 7) was unconditional in terms of its ultimate fulfillment through Christ, its immediate practical outworking for the kings on Israel's throne was very much conditional upon their and the people's faithfulness. The Temple itself, meant to be God's dwelling place among them, would be subject to His abandonment if His people abandoned Him through idolatry.

2 Chronicles 7 19 Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:19 articulates the foundational principle of Israel's covenant relationship with God: blessings are conditional upon faithful obedience, while turning away from God's law and engaging in idolatry inevitably leads to severe consequences. This verse captures the essence of Deuteronomy's covenant theology, where national well-being and security in the land depend on exclusive worship of Yahweh and adherence to His revealed will. The sequence of actions—"turn away," "forsake My statutes and My commandments," "go and serve other gods," "worship them"—describes a escalating descent into apostasy. It highlights that idolatry is not merely an alternative worship practice but the ultimate act of covenant infidelity, directly assaulting God's exclusive claim on His people. This warning, delivered at the pinnacle of national glory with the Temple's dedication, serves as a poignant and prophetic prelude to Israel's tragic history of repeated disobedience, ultimately leading to exile, as recorded later in the Chronicles. It underscores God's unwavering holiness and His demand for undivided allegiance.