2 Chronicles 30:11

KJV

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless divers {H582} of Asher {H836} and Manasseh {H4519} and of Zebulun {H2074} humbled {H3665} themselves, and came {H935} to Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, some from Asher, M'nasheh and Z'vulun were humble enough to come to Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[2 Chronicles 30:11](/2_chronicles/30-11 "2 Chronicles 30:11 - The Remnant Responds") captures a pivotal moment during King Hezekiah's sweeping spiritual reformation. While the majority of the northern kingdom of Israel scorned the invitation to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem, this verse highlights a faithful and humble remnant from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun who chose to respond positively, demonstrating a profound spiritual turning back to the Lord amidst widespread apostasy and rejection. Their decision illustrates the power of individual humility and obedience in the face of societal opposition, foreshadowing God's enduring grace to preserve a people for Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the broader narrative of King Hezekiah's radical religious reforms in Judah, detailed in [2 Chronicles 29-31](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29-31 - Hezekiah's Reforms"). Following the cleansing and rededication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 29) and the reinstitution of proper worship, Hezekiah extends an unprecedented invitation to all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover (2 Chronicles 30:1-5). This was a bold move, as the northern kingdom had been separated from Judah for over 200 years and had largely embraced idolatry. The immediate preceding verse, [2 Chronicles 30:10](/2_chronicles/30-10 "2 Chronicles 30:10 - The Mockery of Hezekiah's Messengers"), describes the widespread mockery and ridicule faced by Hezekiah's messengers in the northern territories, emphasizing the deep spiritual resistance. Verse 11, therefore, stands in stark contrast, highlighting a surprising and grace-filled exception to the general rejection, setting the stage for the subsequent joyful celebration (2 Chronicles 30:26).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the divided kingdom, with Judah in the south and Israel in the north. By Hezekiah's time (late 8th century BCE), the northern kingdom was on the brink of Assyrian conquest, having consistently practiced idolatry and rejected the Davidic dynasty and the Jerusalem Temple as the legitimate center of worship. The Passover, a foundational covenant feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt, had been largely neglected, particularly in the North. Hezekiah's invitation was not merely religious; it was also a symbolic call for national reunification under God's covenant, challenging generations of political and religious schism. The journey to Jerusalem would have been arduous and potentially dangerous for those from the northern tribes, requiring a deliberate act of faith and courage to defy prevailing norms and travel to a rival kingdom's capital for worship.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine invitation and human response**, demonstrating that God's call to repentance and worship extends even to those seemingly furthest away or most resistant, as seen in Hezekiah's messengers reaching "from Dan even to Beersheba" ([2 Chronicles 30:5](/2_chronicles/30-5 "2 Chronicles 30:5 - Invitation to All Israel")). Secondly, the phrase "humbled themselves" introduces the crucial theme of **humility and repentance** as prerequisites for spiritual restoration and fellowship with God, contrasting sharply with the pride and scorn displayed by the majority in [2 Chronicles 30:10](/2_chronicles/30-10 "2 Chronicles 30:10 - The Mockery of Hezekiah's Messengers"). Finally, the emergence of a small group from the northern tribes highlights the enduring biblical theme of the **faithful remnant**, emphasizing God's sovereign ability to preserve a believing core even amidst widespread apostasy and judgment, ensuring the continuity of His covenant people (cf. [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20-22 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - The Remnant of Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Humbled themselves (Hebrew, _kānaʿ'_):** This verb (כָּנַע) signifies a voluntary act of bowing down, subduing oneself, or showing submission. It implies a deliberate and internal disposition of contrition, humility, and submission to a higher authority, rather than merely being brought low by external circumstances. In this context, it describes a profound spiritual posture where individuals set aside pride, prejudice, and long-standing traditions of separation and idolatry to align themselves with God's will and His appointed worship in Jerusalem. This internal transformation was crucial for their turning back to God and embracing the invitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun":** This opening phrase immediately establishes a powerful contrast ("Nevertheless") with the widespread mockery described in the preceding verse. The mention of specific northern tribes—Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun—is significant. These were tribes deeply entrenched in the idolatry and political separation of the northern kingdom. The term "divers" indicates that it was not a mass movement, but rather individuals or smaller groups from these tribes, highlighting the personal nature of their response and the grace of God in preserving a remnant even in unlikely places.
* **"humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.":** This clause describes the twofold action of the faithful remnant. Their internal spiritual posture of "humbled themselves" (as analyzed above) directly led to their external act of obedience: "came to Jerusalem." Jerusalem was not just a geographical location; it was the divinely appointed center of worship, the place where the Temple stood and where the Passover was to be celebrated according to God's law. Their journey represented a tangible commitment to abandon the idolatrous practices of the North and return to the true worship of Yahweh, symbolizing a profound act of repentance and a step towards spiritual reunification with God's people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is immediately evident, as the "nevertheless" sharply juxtaposes the obedient remnant with the mocking majority described in [2 Chronicles 30:10](/2_chronicles/30-10 "2 Chronicles 30:10 - The Mockery of Hezekiah's Messengers"). This highlights the individual nature of faith and response to God's call. The **Remnant Motif** is central, portraying God's faithfulness in preserving a believing core even amidst widespread apostasy and impending judgment. This motif is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, emphasizing divine sovereignty and grace. Furthermore, the act of "coming to Jerusalem" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical journey but a spiritual pilgrimage back to the center of true worship, covenant fidelity, and unity with God's people. It symbolizes a turning away from the false worship of the northern kingdom and a return to the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's persistent grace and the transformative power of humility. Despite generations of spiritual rebellion and the immediate scorn of the majority, God's invitation still reached and resonated with a chosen few. Their act of humbling themselves before the Lord underscores a fundamental biblical principle: true spiritual revival and reconciliation with God begin with a contrite heart and a willingness to set aside pride and self-sufficiency. This remnant's obedience demonstrates that God's faithfulness is not contingent on the majority's response, but rather He always preserves a people for Himself, drawing them back to Himself through His gracious call. Their journey to Jerusalem was an act of faith, obedience, and a symbolic reunification, demonstrating that genuine worship requires both an internal disposition of humility and an external commitment to God's revealed will.

* [Isaiah 6:13](/isaiah/6-13 "Isaiah 6:13 - The Holy Seed is the Remnant")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires of You")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the remnant from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask whether pride, long-held traditions, or the fear of societal scorn prevent us from responding fully to God's call. Just as Hezekiah's invitation extended to those far removed from Jerusalem's spiritual center, God's grace and invitation to repentance and fellowship are universal, reaching into every corner of our lives and society. This verse reminds us that true spiritual progress often begins with a willingness to humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledging our need for Him and His ways, even if it goes against popular opinion or deeply ingrained personal habits. Our personal decision to obey God's call, even when others scoff, can lead to profound spiritual blessing, deep joy, and participation in His greater purposes, as evidenced by the subsequent great celebration of the Passover (cf. [2 Chronicles 30:26](/2_chronicles/30-26 "2 Chronicles 30:26 - Great Joy in Jerusalem")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does pride or societal pressure manifest in my life, potentially hindering my full obedience to God's call?**
* **What "invitations" from God (e.g., to repentance, service, deeper commitment) might I be scoffing at or ignoring, similar to the majority in the northern kingdom?**
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to "humble myself" and actively "come to Jerusalem" (i.e., align my life with God's will and the community of faith)?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific tribes (Asher, Manasseh, Zebulun) mentioned as responding positively, while others mocked?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly state the reasons, several factors might be at play. Geographically, Asher and Zebulun were in the far north, and Manasseh's territory spanned both sides of the Jordan, making their journey particularly arduous and demonstrating significant commitment. Their response highlights that God's grace can reach individuals even in the most unlikely and apostate regions. It's possible that within these tribes, there were lingering pockets of faithfulness or individuals who, despite generations of separation and idolatry, retained a spiritual longing for the true worship of Yahweh. Their decision serves as a powerful testament to the individual nature of faith and the Holy Spirit's ability to stir hearts even when the prevailing culture is hostile to God's truth, contrasting sharply with the widespread rejection described in [2 Chronicles 30:10](/2_chronicles/30-10 "2 Chronicles 30:10 - The Mockery of Hezekiah's Messengers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the northern remnant humbling themselves and coming to Jerusalem finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's invitation to Passover, a call to return to covenant worship at a specific geographical location, foreshadows the universal invitation of the Gospel to come to Christ, who is the true Temple and the ultimate Passover Lamb ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Just as the remnant from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun chose humility over pride, so too does the New Covenant call all people to humble themselves before the Lord ([James 4:10](/james/4-10 "James 4:10 - Humble Yourselves Before the Lord")) and receive the grace offered through Christ's sacrifice. Jesus Himself exemplified perfect humility, emptying Himself and becoming obedient to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). The "faithful remnant" of Old Testament Israel expands in the New Testament to include all who, by faith, respond to Christ's call, forming the new people of God, Jew and Gentile alike, who are no longer called to a physical Jerusalem but to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, through Christ ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - You Have Come to Mount Zion, the City of the Living God")). Their journey to Jerusalem symbolizes our spiritual journey of coming to Christ, the true center of worship and reconciliation, where we find rest for our souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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

2 Chronicles 30:21

¶ And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, [singing] with loud instruments unto the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:18

For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

2 Chronicles 30:25

And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

2 Chronicles 33:19

His prayer also, and [how God] was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they [are] written among the sayings of the seers.

2 Chronicles 11:16

And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Acts 17:34

Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which [was] Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

2 Chronicles 12:6

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD [is] righteous.