New International Version“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,
New Living Translation“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,
English Standard Version“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,
Berean Standard BibleBut if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,
King James BibleBut 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;
New King James Version“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,
New American Standard Bible“But if you turn away and abandon My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,
NASB 1995“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,
NASB 1977“But if you 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,
Legacy Standard Bible“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,
Amplified Bible“But if you [people] turn away and abandon My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and you go and serve other gods and worship them,
Christian Standard BibleHowever, if you turn away and abandon my statutes and my commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and bow in worship to them,
Holman Christian Standard BibleHowever, if you turn away and abandon My statutes and My commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and worship them,
American Standard VersionBut 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;
Contemporary English VersionBut if you or any of the people of Israel disobey my laws or start worshiping foreign gods,
English Revised VersionBut 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:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBut if you and your descendants turn away from me and abandon my commands and laws that I gave you, and follow and serve other gods and worship them,
Good News TranslationBut if you and your people ever disobey the laws and commands I have given you and worship other gods,
International Standard Version"But if you turn away and abandon my statutes and my commands that I have given you, and if you walk away to serve other gods and worship them,
NET Bible"But if you people ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods,
New Heart English BibleBut if you 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;
Webster's Bible TranslationBut 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; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,
World English BibleBut 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, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand if you turn back—you—and have forsaken My statutes and My commands that I have placed before you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them—then I have plucked them from off My ground that I have given to them,
Young's Literal Translation and if ye turn back -- ye -- and have forsaken My statutes, and My commands, that I have placed before you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them -- then I have plucked them from off My ground that I have given to them,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd if ye shall turn away and forsake my laws and my covenant which I gave before you, and ye went and served other gods and worshiped to them; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if you turn away, and forsake my justices, and my commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve strange gods, and adore them,
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut if you will have turned away, and will have forsaken my justices and my precepts, which I have set before you, and going astray, you serve strange gods, and you adore them,
New American BibleBut if ever you turn away and forsake my commandments and statutes which I set before you, and proceed to serve other gods, and bow down to them,
New Revised Standard Version“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, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if you turn away from my ways, both you and your children, and shall not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, and shall go and serve the idols of the nations and worship them;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd if to turn, you will turn, you and your sons, from my way, and you will not keep my commands and my laws that I have given before you, and you will serve the idols of the Gentiles and you will serve them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But 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;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationBut if ye should turn away, and forsake my ordinances and my commandments, which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The LORD's Response to Solomon… 18then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.’ 19But ifyouturn awayand forsakethe statutesand commandmentsI have setbefore you,and if you go offto serveand worshipothergods,20then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.…
Cross References Deuteronomy 28:15If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
1 Kings 9:6-9But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...
Jeremiah 22:9Then people will reply, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”
Deuteronomy 29:25-28And the people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. / They went and served other gods, and they worshiped gods they had not known—gods that the LORD had not given to them. / Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against this land, and He brought upon it every curse written in this book. ...
Jeremiah 11:10They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers.
2 Kings 17:7-23All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...
Jeremiah 2:13“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
Matthew 23:37-38O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.
Jeremiah 18:15-17Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway. / They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads. / I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity.”
Isaiah 1:4Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.
Ezekiel 18:24But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
Galatians 1:6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
2 Peter 2:20-21If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. / It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.
Hebrews 3:12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
Treasury of Scripture But if you 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; if ye turn away Leviticus 26:14,33 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; … Deuteronomy 28:15,36,37 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: … 1 Samuel 12:25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. shall go Deuteronomy 4:23-27 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image,or the likeness of anything, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee… Joshua 23:15,16 Therefore it shall come to pass,that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you… 1 Kings 9:6,7But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandmentsand my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: … Jump to Previous BowedCommandmentsCommandsDecreesForsakeForsakenGodsGroundLawsOrdersPlacedServantsServeServedStatutesTurnTurnedWorshipYourselvesJump to Next BowedCommandmentsCommandsDecreesForsakeForsakenGodsGroundLawsOrdersPlacedServantsServeServedStatutesTurnTurnedWorshipYourselves2 Chronicles 7 1.God having given testimony to Solomon's prayer by fire from heaven,2.and glory in the temple, the people worship him4.Solomon's solemn sacrifice8.Solomon having kept the feasts of tabernacles and dedication, dismisses the people12.God appearing to Solomon, gives him promises upon conditionBut if you turn awayThis phrase introduces a conditional warning, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to God. The concept of turning away is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with apostasy or rebellion against God. In the context of 2 Chronicles, it serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience brings blessings and disobedience leads to consequences. This idea is echoed in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are outlined based on Israel's faithfulness. and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you
The statutes and commandments refer to the laws given by God to Israel, primarily through Moses. These laws were meant to guide the Israelites in their daily lives and maintain their covenant relationship with God. Forsaking these laws implies a deliberate rejection of God's authority and guidance. Historically, Israel's failure to adhere to these commandments often led to periods of judgment and exile, as seen in the Babylonian captivity. This phrase underscores the importance of obedience to God's revealed will. and if you go off to serve and worship other gods
Serving and worshiping other gods was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits idolatry. In the ancient Near Eastern context, polytheism was prevalent, and Israel was constantly tempted to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. This phrase highlights the danger of syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh could be compromised by the inclusion of other deities. The prophets frequently warned against this, as seen in the ministries of Elijah and Jeremiah. Theologically, this serves as a type of spiritual adultery, where Israel's unfaithfulness to God is likened to an unfaithful spouse. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem. God is speaking to him in this passage. 2. GodThe Lord is addressing Solomon, warning him about the consequences of turning away from His commandments. 3. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, to whom the statutes and commands were given. 4. The Temple in JerusalemThe central place of worship for the Israelites, built by Solomon as a dwelling place for God's name. 5. Other godsRefers to the idols and deities worshiped by surrounding nations, which God forbids Israel from serving. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceGod’s statutes and commands are given for our good. Obedience leads to blessings, while disobedience leads to consequences. The Danger of IdolatryTurning to other gods or idols, whether literal or metaphorical, leads us away from the true God and His purposes for our lives. Covenant FaithfulnessGod’s relationship with His people is based on a covenant that requires faithfulness. We are called to remain faithful to God’s commands. The Role of LeadershipAs Solomon was a leader, his actions had significant implications for the nation. Leaders today must also adhere to God’s commands to guide others rightly. Repentance and RestorationEven if we turn away, God offers a path back through repentance. His desire is for restoration and renewed relationship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 7:19?
2.What consequences does 2 Chronicles 7:19 warn about for turning away from God?
3.How can we ensure our hearts remain faithful to God, avoiding idolatry?
4.What scriptural examples show the dangers of forsaking God's commandments?
5.How does 2 Chronicles 7:19 relate to the importance of obedience in our lives?
6.In what ways can we actively guard against spiritual complacency and disobedience?
7.What does 2 Chronicles 7:19 imply about the consequences of turning away from God?
8.How does 2 Chronicles 7:19 reflect the covenant relationship between God and Israel?
9.What historical events might 2 Chronicles 7:19 be referencing or predicting?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 7?
11.Why does Lamentations 1:9 attribute Jerusalem’s downfall solely to sin when geopolitics also played a role?
12.Psalm 132:13–14: How can Zion be God’s eternal dwelling when other biblical passages suggest His presence can depart certain locations?
13.Does 2 Chronicles 19:2's warning against helping the wicked conflict with New Testament commands to love everyone, including enemies?
14.How do we reconcile the discrepant figures between 2 Samuel 10:18 and 1 Chronicles 19:18 regarding the number of charioteers and horsemen defeated by David?What Does 2 Chronicles 7:19 Mean But if you turn awayThe Lord’s warning begins with a phrase that highlights personal responsibility. Solomon and the nation stand on a foundation of God’s faithfulness, yet the possibility of drifting is real. • “Turn away” pictures an intentional change of direction, echoingDeuteronomy 30:17, “But if your heart turns away and you do not listen…” • God never moves; people do.Psalm 78:10 places the blame squarely on those who “refused to live by His law.” •Hebrews 3:12 reminds believers, “See to it…that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.” Turning away is not a momentary lapse but a chosen path. God speaks plainly so His people can measure their steps against His Word and correct course while there is still time.
and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you,To forsake is stronger than forget. It is deliberate abandonment of what was once embraced. • The “statutes and commandments” refer to the covenant stipulations given through Moses (Deuteronomy 4:5-8). These were already “set before” the nation, removing every excuse. •1 Samuel 12:15 identifies the heart issue: “If you do not obey the Lord, but rebel…then His hand will be against you.” • Jesus affirms the same principle: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Love and obedience walk together; rejection of one is rejection of the other. Forsaking God’s Word severs the lifeline of blessing and leads inevitably to discipline (Psalm 119:155).
and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,Here is the end of the downward spiral: idolatry. Turning away and forsaking truth leave a vacuum that false gods are eager to fill. • The first two commandments forbid this path (Exodus 20:3-5). Disobedience is not neutral; it transfers allegiance. •Deuteronomy 4:23-27 warns that pursuing idols will scatter Israel among the nations—exactly what unfolded in later history (2 Kings 17:7-23). • Paul applies the lesson to believers: “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Anything that steals devotion, trust, or worship from the Lord becomes an idol, whether ancient statues or modern pursuits. Idolatry is spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:9). God refuses to share His glory, and He loves His people too much to let them destroy themselves unopposed.
summary2 Chronicles 7:19 is a sober reminder that covenant blessing is tied to covenant faithfulness. Turning away, forsaking God’s Word, and embracing idols mark a progressive descent that ends in judgment. The passage calls every generation to guard the heart, cling to Scripture, and worship the Lord alone, confident that obedience secures His favor and protection. (19) But.-- And. Kings omits, but emphasises the verb, "If ye will turn," or, "if turn ye will." The order of words in the Heb. implies that?-bnekem, "and your children," has fallen out of the text: "And if ye turn, ye and your children." So Kings, and Syriac and Arabic here. Kings adds, "From after me." And forsake.--Kings, "and keep not." So Syriac and Arabic. Verses 19, 20. - And forsake. The parallel ( 1 Kings 9:6) puts it, according to the Authorized Version, "If ye shall at all turn from following me," etc., which rendering on the part of the Authorized Version probably errs by excess. Much mercy, much forbearing, long-suffering, and slowness to anger, were sure to mark the Divine rule; nor would condemnation take effect, nor did it take effect, till the revolt of the people was a thorough revolt, as finally testifying itself in the crucifixion of Christ (see also, as comments on the expressions of these two verses, Leviticus 26:14; Deuteronomy 4:26, 27; Deuteronomy 28:37, and generally 15-64). The same Hebrew words for a proverb and a byword among all nations are found in ver. 37, as just quoted.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But ifוְאִם־(wə·’im-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyouאַתֶּ֔ם(’at·tem)Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youturn awayתְּשׁוּב֣וּן(tə·šū·ḇūn)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againand forsakeוַעֲזַבְתֶּם֙(wa·‘ă·zaḇ·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5800:To loosen, relinquish, permitthe statutesחֻקּוֹתַ֣י(ḥuq·qō·w·ṯay)Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2708:Something prescribed, an enactment, statuteand the commandmentsוּמִצְוֺתַ֔י(ū·miṣ·wō·ṯay)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4687:CommandmentI have setנָתַ֖תִּי(nā·ṯat·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setbefore you,לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם(lip̄·nê·ḵem)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The faceand if you go offוַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם(wa·hă·laḵ·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkto serveוַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙(wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslaveand worshipוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם(wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7812:To depress, prostrateotherאֲחֵרִ֔ים(’ă·ḥê·rîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312:Hinder, next, othergods,אֱלֹהִ֣ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 7:19 But if you turn away and forsake (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
