What does 2 Chronicles 32:12 mean?
"Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?" - 2 Chronicles 32:12
2 Chronicles 32:12 - "Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?"
2 Chronicles 32:18 (KJV) says, "Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?" This verse is part of a larger passage that describes King Hezekiah's reforms in Judah, particularly in relation to religious practices and worship. To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is necessary to delve into the historical context and the broader themes and symbolism present in this passage.
Historical Context:
The book of 2 Chronicles recounts the history of the kings of Judah, focusing on their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the Lord. In the case of King Hezekiah, he is remembered as a righteous and faithful king who sought to bring about spiritual and religious revival in Judah. The verse in question is part of a passage that describes Hezekiah's actions to reform the religious practices in Judah. He removed the high places and altars dedicated to false gods, and instead, he commanded the people to worship before one altar and burn incense upon it.
During this time, the people of Judah were prone to worshiping idols and participating in pagan rituals, which were in direct violation of the commands of the One true God. Hezekiah's actions were motivated by a desire to purify the worship of God and to bring his people back to the true faith. By removing the high places and altars dedicated to false gods and instituting centralized worship at one altar, Hezekiah was seeking to restore the proper reverence and worship of God.
Themes:
One of the central themes in this verse is the concept of true worship and the exclusive devotion to the one true God. Hezekiah's actions reflect a commitment to monotheism and a rejection of idolatry. The removal of the high places and altars signifies a break away from practices that were contrary to the worship of God as prescribed in the law of Moses. Hezekiah's command to worship before one altar emphasizes the idea of unity in worship and a rejection of divisive and syncretistic practices.
Another theme present in this verse is the role of leadership in promoting and preserving true worship. Hezekiah, as a righteous king, took proactive measures to lead his people away from idolatry and towards the worship of the true God. His actions serve as a model for leaders to uphold the standards of worship and to guide the people in the right path.
Symbolism:
The removal of the high places and altars symbolizes a cleansing of the spiritual landscape of Judah. It represents a removal of the false and impure practices that had infiltrated the worship of God. The command to worship before one altar symbolizes the unity of worship and the exclusivity of devotion to the one true God. It ensures that the people are focused and united in their worship, rather than being scattered and divided by various altars and high places dedicated to false gods.
Conclusion:
2 Chronicles 32:18 (KJV) provides a window into the religious reforms carried out by King Hezekiah in Judah. The verse reflects the theme of true worship and the rejection of idolatry. It also underscores the role of leadership in promoting and preserving proper worship. The removal of the high places and altars and the command to worship before one altar carry deep symbolism and significance in the context of Hezekiah's reforms. Ultimately, the passage serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the purity and unity of worship in the faith of God.
2 Chronicles 32:12 Artwork
2 Chronicles 32:12 - "Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?"
2 Chronicles 32:2 - "And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,"
2 Chronicles 32:32 - "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
2 Chronicles 32:20 - "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven."
1 Chronicles 2:32 - "And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children."
1 Chronicles 2:12 - "And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,"
2 Chronicles 32:16 - "And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah."
2 Chronicles 32:28 - "Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks."
2 Chronicles 20:32 - "And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 32:10 - "Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?"
2 Chronicles 32:19 - "And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man."
2 Chronicles 18:32 - "For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him."
2 Chronicles 32:7 - "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:"
2 Chronicles 12:6 - "Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous."
1 Chronicles 12:32 - "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."
2 Chronicles 34:32 - "And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers."
1 Chronicles 11:32 - "Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,"
2 Chronicles 12:4 - "And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 32:29 - "Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much."
2 Chronicles 32:24 - "¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign."
2 Chronicles 32:6 - "And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,"
2 Chronicles 17:12 - "¶ And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store."
2 Chronicles 15:12 - "And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;"
2 Chronicles 32:18 - "Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city."
2 Chronicles 14:12 - "So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled."
2 Chronicles 12:14 - "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."
2 Chronicles 32:3 - "He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him."
2 Chronicles 32:1 - "After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself."
2 Chronicles 12:8 - "Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries."
1 Chronicles 12:12 - "Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,"