2 Chronicles 15:3

KJV

Now for a long season Israel [hath been] without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now for a long {H7227} season {H3117} Israel {H3478} hath been without {H3808} the true {H571} God {H430}, and without a teaching {H3384} priest {H3548}, and without law {H8451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For a long time Isra'el was without the true God, without a cohen who could teach, and without Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law.

American Standard Version

Now for a long season Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 15:3 presents a stark prophetic diagnosis of Israel's spiritual decline prior to King Asa's comprehensive reforms. Through the prophet Azariah, the verse reveals a "long season" of national apostasy characterized by a profound absence of three foundational pillars: a genuine relationship with the true God, the vital instruction provided by faithful teaching priests, and adherence to God's divine law. This spiritual vacuum led to widespread societal instability and served as a divine explanation for the nation's past troubles, while simultaneously calling King Asa to deeper commitment and reform.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of the prophecy delivered by Azariah, son of Oded, to King Asa immediately following Asa's miraculous victory over the Cushite army (Ethiopians) in [2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Victory Over the Cushites"). Azariah's message serves as a divine interpretation of the nation's history, explaining that past periods of distress and unrest were direct consequences of spiritual failures. It functions as both a warning and an encouragement, promising God's presence with Asa if he continues to seek the Lord, thereby motivating the king to complete the religious reforms he had already initiated (cf. [2 Chronicles 14:1-5](/2_chronicles/14-1 "2 Chronicles 14:1-5 - Asa's Early Reforms")). The prophecy sets the stage for Asa's subsequent, more thorough purging of idolatry from Judah, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 15:8-19](/2_chronicles/15-8 "2 Chronicles 15:8-19 - Asa's Covenant and Reforms").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "long season" mentioned in the verse likely refers to the reigns of Asa's predecessors in Judah, primarily Rehoboam and Abijah, who largely tolerated or even participated in idolatrous practices, neglecting the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Judah, though distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel, was not immune to the widespread syncretism and spiritual decay prevalent in the ancient Near East. The people often adopted the worship of local deities, built high places for illicit worship, and erected Asherah poles, blurring the lines between true worship and pagan practices. The priestly class, meant to be guardians and communicators of God's Law, had often become negligent or corrupt, failing in their instructional duties. The cultural landscape was one where the covenant relationship with God was increasingly diluted, leading to moral and social instability.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several key themes central to the book of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Spiritual Apostasy and Neglect**, demonstrating how a departure from the "true God" (Yahweh) to idolatry or superficial faith inevitably leads to societal breakdown. Secondly, the absence of a "teaching priest" underscores the critical theme of the **Failure of Spiritual Leadership**; when those entrusted with instructing the people in God's ways neglect their duty, the populace is left ignorant and vulnerable to error. Thirdly, being "without law" points to a widespread **Disregard for Divine Law (Torah)**, emphasizing that the abandonment of God's commandments inevitably results in moral decay and chaos. Finally, the broader context of Azariah's prophecy, particularly [2 Chronicles 15:5-6](/2_chronicles/15-5 "2 Chronicles 15:5-6 - Consequences of Disobedience"), vividly illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience**, showing how this spiritual vacuum directly led to national turmoil and instability, reinforcing the Chronicler's theology of immediate retribution and blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **True God (Hebrew, _Elohei Emet_):** This phrase emphasizes the singular, faithful, and living God of Israel, distinguishing Him sharply from the false, impotent deities and idols worshipped by surrounding nations and increasingly by Israel itself. The term "true" (אֱמֶת, _emet_) denotes reliability, faithfulness, and reality, underscoring that Yahweh alone is the legitimate object of worship and the source of all truth and life, in contrast to the emptiness of idolatry.
* **Teaching Priest (Hebrew, _kohen moreh_):** This specific designation highlights a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of the Levitical priestly office. Beyond their sacrificial duties in the temple, priests were divinely appointed to instruct the people in God's Law (Torah), clarifying its meaning and application. The absence of a "teaching priest" signifies a profound failure in spiritual education, leaving the populace ignorant of divine truths and unable to discern right from wrong according to God's standards.
* **Law (Hebrew, _Torah_):** More than just a collection of statutes or commandments, "Torah" (תּוֹרָה) encompasses God's divine instruction, guidance, and revealed will for His people. It represents the covenant stipulations that define Israel's relationship with Yahweh and provide the framework for a flourishing life. Being "without law" therefore indicates not merely a lack of written statutes, but a widespread disregard for, or ignorance of, God's comprehensive way of life, leading to moral anarchy and spiritual drift.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now for a long season Israel hath been":** This clause establishes the temporal scope of the spiritual decline, indicating a significant period (likely spanning several reigns prior to Asa's) during which the nation had strayed. "Israel" here refers to the covenant people of God, specifically Judah under King Asa, but implicitly encompassing the spiritual heritage and failures of the broader nation.
* **"without the true God":** This signifies a profound spiritual disconnect and apostasy. It implies a departure from genuine, exclusive worship of Yahweh, either through outright idolatry, syncretism, or a superficial, nominal adherence to faith that lacked true devotion and obedience.
* **"and without a teaching priest":** This highlights the breakdown of spiritual leadership and education. The Levitical priesthood, intended to be the custodians and communicators of God's Law, had failed in their duty to instruct the people, leaving them spiritually ignorant and vulnerable to false teachings and practices.
* **"and without law":** This final phrase underscores the practical consequence of the previous two absences: a widespread disregard for God's revealed will (Torah). When the true God is neglected and His instruction is absent, the moral and ethical framework for society collapses, leading to chaos, injustice, and a general abandonment of covenant obligations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of spiritual desolation. Foremost is **Tricolon**, where three distinct but related phrases—"without the true God," "without a teaching priest," and "without law"—are presented in a parallel structure. This tripartite enumeration emphasizes the comprehensive and pervasive nature of Israel's spiritual decay, indicating a complete breakdown in their relationship with God, their spiritual leadership, and their adherence to divine instruction. The repeated use of the preposition "without" functions as **Anaphora**, creating a rhythmic emphasis that underscores the profound and lamentable absence of these foundational elements. Furthermore, the verse serves as a **Prophetic Assessment**, a diagnostic statement delivered by Azariah that not only describes the past and present spiritual state of the nation but also provides a divine explanation for their suffering, thereby setting the stage for King Asa's subsequent reforms and the promise of divine favor upon repentance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the essential pillars of a healthy covenant relationship with God and the dire consequences of their neglect. The absence of the "true God" speaks to the fundamental issue of idolatry and spiritual apathy, where the people's allegiance shifted from Yahweh to false deities or self-interest. The lack of a "teaching priest" underscores the vital role of faithful spiritual leadership in preserving and transmitting divine truth; without proper instruction, the people inevitably drift into ignorance and disobedience. Finally, being "without law" reveals the breakdown of moral order and the abandonment of God's revealed will as the guide for life, leading to societal chaos and divine judgment. The Chronicler consistently emphasizes that national prosperity and peace are directly tied to the nation's faithfulness to God, adherence to His Law, and the integrity of its spiritual leadership, illustrating a cyclical pattern of apostasy, judgment, repentance, and restoration throughout Israel's history.

* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge")
* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose life, that you and your offspring may live")
* [Malachi 2:7](/malachi/2-7 "Malachi 2:7 - For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark assessment of 2 Chronicles 15:3 serves as a timeless warning and a profound call to spiritual vigilance for individuals and communities today. Just as ancient Israel suffered from a "long season" of spiritual neglect, we too can drift away from a vibrant relationship with God, neglect sound biblical teaching, and disregard God's moral and ethical guidelines. This verse challenges us to actively pursue and maintain a genuine, intimate connection with the "true God," ensuring that our faith is not merely nominal but deeply rooted in devotion and obedience. It underscores the indispensable value of faithful, expository teaching within the church, reminding us that accurate understanding and application of God's Word are crucial for spiritual health and growth. Furthermore, it calls us to a diligent adherence to God's "law"—His comprehensive instruction for life—recognizing that living by His principles brings blessing, order, and true flourishing, both personally and corporately. We must guard against spiritual apathy and intentionally cultivate an environment where God is sought, His Word is taught, and His commands are honored.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "without the true God," prioritizing other things or engaging in superficial faith instead of a genuine, active relationship with Him?**
* **How am I contributing to or benefiting from sound biblical teaching in my community, and what steps can I take to ensure I am not "without a teaching priest" in my own spiritual growth and the spiritual formation of those around me?**
* **In what ways do I actively engage with and apply God's "law" (His Word and principles) to my daily decisions and conduct, or am I living "without law" in certain aspects of my life, leading to moral or spiritual drift?**

### FAQ
**What does "Israel" refer to in this verse, given the context of King Asa of Judah?**

Answer: While King Asa reigned over the southern kingdom of Judah, the term "Israel" in Chronicles often refers to the broader covenant people of God, encompassing the spiritual heritage of all twelve tribes. In this context, it can signify Judah as the legitimate inheritor of the Davidic covenant, or it can be a prophetic indictment on the spiritual state of the entire nation, including both the northern kingdom and Judah, highlighting a widespread spiritual decline that affected the people of God generally. The "long season" of being "without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law" applies to the spiritual failures of the preceding generations and reigns that impacted the entire covenant community.

**Why is the absence of a "teaching priest" specifically mentioned as a cause for Israel's decline?**

Answer: The Levitical priesthood had a dual and crucial role in ancient Israel: offering sacrifices and, equally important, teaching the [Torah](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Priests Teach God's Ordinances") to the people. They were meant to be the guardians and communicators of God's revealed will, ensuring the populace understood and lived by His commands. The absence of a "teaching priest" meant a failure in this vital instructional aspect, leading to widespread ignorance of God's Law, moral decay, and rampant idolatry. Without faithful instruction, the people were left spiritually blind, unable to distinguish between truth and error, which contributed significantly to their apostasy, as seen in periods like the [Judges](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - A Generation That Did Not Know the Lord") where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

**How does being "without law" differ from being "without the true God" in this verse?**

Answer: While closely related, "without the true God" speaks to the *object* of worship and the *relationship* with Him—a departure from genuine, exclusive devotion to Yahweh, often involving turning to idols or superficial faith. It describes the spiritual state of their allegiance. "Without law," on the other hand, refers to the *guide* for living—a widespread disregard for God's revealed will, His [Torah](/psalm/119-1 "Psalm 119:1 - Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!"). It describes the moral and ethical state of their conduct. One addresses the source of their spiritual life, the other addresses the blueprint for their daily lives. The verse implies a causal chain: neglecting the true God leads to the absence of faithful teaching, which in turn results in a society that lives "without law."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophetic diagnosis of 2 Chronicles 15:3, highlighting Israel's "long season" without the true God, a teaching priest, and the law, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment and revelation of the [true God](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father"), bringing humanity back into a right relationship with the Father, effectively ending the "without the true God" state for all who believe. Furthermore, Jesus is the supreme "teaching priest," not merely instructing from the Law but fulfilling the priestly office perfectly as our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest") who intercedes for us and teaches with unparalleled authority, revealing the very heart of God's will. Finally, Christ is the fulfillment and embodiment of the "law" itself; He did not come to abolish the Law but to [fulfill it](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"), becoming the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the end of the law for righteousness")). Through His atoning sacrifice and the indwelling of His Spirit, we are not left "without law" but are empowered to live according to God's righteous standards, not by external compulsion but by an internal transformation that writes God's law upon our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - New Covenant - Law on Their Hearts")). Thus, what Israel lacked, Christ abundantly provides, offering a new covenant reality where believers are brought into intimate communion with the true God, taught by the ultimate Priest, and enabled to walk in His perfect law.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 8:9

¶ And Nehemiah, which [is] the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day [is] holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

Leviticus 10:11

And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

2 Chronicles 17:8

And with them [he sent] Levites, [even] Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

2 Chronicles 17:9

And they taught in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Matthew 2:5

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Hosea 3:4

For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim: