2 Chronicles 33:8

KJV

Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither will I any more {H3254} remove {H5493} the foot {H7272} of Israel {H3478} from out {H5921} of the land {H127} which I have appointed {H5975} for your fathers {H1}; so that {H518} they will take heed {H8104} to do {H6213} all that I have commanded {H6680} them, according to the whole law {H8451} and the statutes {H2706} and the ordinances {H4941} by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also I will not remove the feet of Isra'el from the land I assigned your ancestors, if only they will take heed to obey every order I have given them, that is, all the Torah, laws and rulings that came through Moshe."

Berean Standard Bible

I will never again cause the feet of the Israelites to leave the land that I assigned to your fathers, if only they are careful to do all that I have commanded them through Moses—all the laws, statutes, and judgments.”

American Standard Version

neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances given by Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 33:8 records a profound divine declaration to Israel, emphasizing God's steadfast desire for His people to remain securely in the land He promised their ancestors. This promise, however, is explicitly conditional upon their diligent and comprehensive obedience to the entirety of the Mosaic Law, including its statutes and ordinances. Situated within the deeply apostate reign of King Manasseh, this verse serves as a poignant reminder of God's covenant fidelity and His persistent call to faithfulness, even in the face of widespread national rebellion, underscoring that continued blessing and presence in the land are inextricably linked to adherence to His divine commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the narrative of King Manasseh's reign (2 Chronicles 33:1-20), one of the longest and most wicked in Judah's history. Manasseh, unlike his righteous father Hezekiah, systematically dismantled his father's reforms and plunged the nation into profound idolatry, even defiling the temple in Jerusalem with pagan altars and practices (2 Chronicles 33:3-7). God's statement in 2 Chronicles 33:8 comes as a divine warning, a reiteration of the covenant stipulations, even as Manasseh and Judah persist in their sin. It highlights God's long-suffering patience, offering a path to continued blessing if they would only "take heed to do all that I have commanded them." Despite this divine overture, Manasseh's initial unrepentance leads to his capture and exile to Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11), demonstrating that the conditional promise, while sincere, was not met by the nation's actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh reigned for 55 years (c. 697-642 BC), a period marked by significant Assyrian dominance in the Near East. Judah, as a vassal state, was heavily influenced by Assyrian religious practices, which Manasseh enthusiastically adopted and propagated. This included the worship of foreign deities, astral cults, child sacrifice, divination, and witchcraft (2 Chronicles 33:6). His actions represented a radical departure from the monotheistic worship of Yahweh and a direct violation of the Mosaic Covenant. The "land which I have appointed for your fathers" refers to the land of Canaan, promised to Abraham and his descendants, which served as the physical manifestation of God's covenant presence and blessing. The threat of removal from this land was a recurring theme in the Deuteronomic covenant, signifying divine judgment for apostasy and disobedience, often culminating in exile.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Covenant Fidelity and Conditional Blessing:** A central theme is the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, particularly regarding Israel's tenure in the Promised Land. God's promise to "not remove the foot of Israel" is directly contingent upon their obedience to His commands. This echoes the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Covenant Blessings and Curses"), where dwelling securely in the land is a direct result of faithfulness, while disobedience leads to exile.
* **Divine Patience and Warning:** Even amidst Manasseh's profound wickedness, God extends a warning and a conditional promise, demonstrating His enduring patience and His desire for His people's repentance rather than their destruction. This highlights God's character as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, even when His people are most rebellious.
* **Supremacy and Comprehensiveness of God's Law:** The phrase "the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses" emphasizes the totality and divine authority of God's revealed will. It underscores that all aspects of Israelite life—moral, civil, and ceremonial—were to be governed by the Torah, and that national well-being was inextricably linked to this comprehensive obedience.
* **The Land as a Sacred Trust:** The land was not merely a geographical possession but a sacred trust, a tangible sign of God's covenant with Israel. Its continued occupation was a privilege, not an automatic right, maintained through faithful stewardship and adherence to the covenant stipulations. This theme is foundational, tracing back to the promises given in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abraham") and [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abram").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **remove the foot (Hebrew, _mûš regel'_):** This idiomatic expression vividly conveys the idea of displacement, expulsion, or causing one to stumble and be dislodged from their secure position. In this context, it metaphorically signifies the nation of Israel being uprooted and exiled from their homeland. It speaks to the potential loss of their security, identity, and covenantal privilege as a people dwelling in the land God had specifically appointed for them.
* **appointed (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** The verb _nātan_ means "to give," "to place," or "to appoint." Here, it emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind Israel's possession of the land. It was not acquired by their own strength or merit, but was a gracious gift, a specific divine grant from God to their forefathers. This highlights God's sovereign initiative and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when Israel was unfaithful.
* **whole law and the statutes and the ordinances (Hebrew, _tôrâ wəḥuqqîm ûmišpāṭîm'_):** This is a comprehensive merism, encompassing the entire body of God's revealed will given through Moses. _Torah_ (law/instruction) refers to the entire divine instruction; _ḥuqqîm_ (statutes) refers to decrees or ordinances, often cultic or ceremonial, whose reasons may not be immediately apparent but are binding by divine fiat; and _mišpāṭîm_ (ordinances/judgments) refers to civil and judicial regulations, often based on principles of justice and equity. Together, they underscore the exhaustive and non-negotiable nature of God's commands, covering every facet of Israelite life—moral, civil, and ceremonial—all delivered through Moses as God's chosen mediator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers;":** This clause presents God's conditional promise of secure dwelling. "Remove the foot" is a powerful metaphor for exile or displacement. The phrase "any more" implies that past instances of judgment or displacement (e.g., the wilderness wanderings, or even prior regional conflicts) were not the final, comprehensive removal. God's desire is for Israel to remain permanently in the land originally promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, signifying His ongoing faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant.
* **"so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them,":** This pivotal phrase introduces the explicit condition for the promise's fulfillment. "Take heed" (Hebrew, _šāmar_) implies careful observance, diligent attention, and faithful adherence. It underscores that the continued blessing of dwelling in the land is not automatic but is directly contingent upon Israel's active and intentional obedience to God's commands. It highlights human responsibility within the divine covenant.
* **"according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.":** This final clause specifies the scope and authority of the commands to be obeyed. It refers to the entire corpus of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing its comprehensive nature and its divine origin ("by the hand of Moses," indicating Moses as the mediator, not the author). This reinforces that God's expectations for Israel were clear, complete, and binding, forming the very foundation of their covenant relationship and national well-being.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Conditional Promise** is the overarching structure, where God's stated intention ("Neither will I any more remove...") is directly linked to a prerequisite action by Israel ("so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them"). This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant. **Merism** is evident in the phrase "the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances," which comprehensively covers the entirety of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing its all-encompassing nature by listing its constituent parts. The phrase "remove the foot" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (the foot) stands for the whole (the nation's presence and security in the land), vividly illustrating the act of displacement or exile. Finally, the verse is presented as **Divine Speech** or **Direct Address**, with God speaking directly to His people, lending immense authority and weight to the pronouncement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 33:8 powerfully articulates the foundational principle of conditional covenant blessing within the Old Testament. While God's promise of the land to Abraham was unconditional, the continued *dwelling* in that land by his descendants under the Mosaic Covenant was explicitly tied to their obedience. This verse, spoken during a period of intense national apostasy, underscores God's enduring patience and His consistent call for His people to live in alignment with His revealed will. It highlights that God's desire is always for the flourishing and security of His people, which is achieved through faithful adherence to His commands. Disobedience, however, inevitably leads to the withdrawal of such blessings and, ultimately, to the consequences of judgment, such as exile. This dynamic reveals God's justice intertwined with His mercy, always providing a path for repentance and restoration.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Leviticus 26:3-13](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3-13 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Joshua 23:15-16](/joshua/23-15 "Joshua 23:15-16 - Consequences of Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 33:8 serves as a timeless reminder that while God's ultimate promises are sure, our experience of His blessings and our flourishing in His presence are often profoundly connected to our obedience to His Word. For believers today, this does not imply earning salvation, which is by grace through faith, but rather living out our salvation in a way that honors God. Just as Israel's security in the land depended on their adherence to the Mosaic Law, our spiritual vitality and fruitfulness are linked to our willingness to "take heed to do all that [He] has commanded us" through Christ and His New Covenant. This verse calls us to examine our lives for areas of disobedience, reminding us that God's patience is not an excuse for complacency but an invitation to repentance and renewed commitment. It encourages us to value God's Word as the comprehensive guide for life, recognizing that His commands are not burdensome but are designed for our ultimate good and joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently failing to "take heed to do all that God has commanded"?**
* **How does my understanding of God's patience, as seen in this verse, encourage or challenge me in my walk of faith?**
* **What specific steps can I take to more diligently align my life with the "whole law" of God as revealed in Christ?**
* **How does the concept of "the land" as a conditional blessing relate to my own spiritual inheritance and security in Christ?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse reconcile with Manasseh's profound wickedness and Judah's eventual exile to Babylon?**

Answer: This verse highlights God's profound patience and His consistent covenantal framework. It's crucial to understand that 2 Chronicles 33:8 represents a divine *warning* and a *conditional promise* offered *before* the full measure of Judah's sin under Manasseh and subsequent kings led to irreversible judgment. God, in His mercy, reiterates the terms of the covenant: if they would obey, they would remain. However, Manasseh's initial reign was characterized by extreme apostasy (2 Chronicles 33:3-7), and while he later repented (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), the nation as a whole continued in its idolatry even after his reforms. The promise in 2 Chronicles 33:8 was not an unconditional guarantee but a clear statement of the path to continued blessing. Because the conditions ("take heed to do all that I have commanded them") were not consistently met by the nation of Judah, God's justice eventually led to their removal from the land, culminating in the Babylonian exile, as prophesied in [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Dispersion Among Nations"). God's word, whether promise or warning, is always true and will be fulfilled.

**Is Christian obedience to God's commands still conditional for blessing, given that we are under grace and not the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: While believers in Christ are no longer under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation or justification (Romans 3:20-22; [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")), the principle that obedience leads to blessing and spiritual flourishing remains profoundly true under the New Covenant. Our salvation is a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by our works ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")). However, genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience as a demonstration of love and a fruit of the Spirit ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments")). Jesus Himself taught that abiding in Him and keeping His commands leads to fruitfulness and the experience of His joy ([John 15:4-11](/john/15-4 "John 15:4-11 - Abiding in Christ")). Therefore, while our eternal standing is secure in Christ, our daily experience of God's peace, joy, and effective witness is deeply intertwined with our willing submission to His will and Word, which is now written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The conditional promise of 2 Chronicles 33:8, linking Israel's secure dwelling in the land to their obedience to the Mosaic Law, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant offered a physical land and temporal security based on human performance, the New Covenant, established through Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice, offers an eternal inheritance and spiritual security that is not dependent on our flawed efforts. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "land" in whom we find our rest and dwelling ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all who are weary")), and through Him, we inherit the "new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness dwells" ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Our "foot" is eternally secured not by our keeping of the Law, but by our faith in the One who perfectly kept it on our behalf. Christ's obedience to the "whole law and the statutes and the ordinances" was complete, fulfilling all righteousness ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Now, our "obedience" is not for salvation, but it is a response of love to His saving grace, enabling us to "abide in His love" ([John 15:10](/john/15-10 "John 15:10 - Abiding in Christ's Love")) and experience the fullness of life in Him. The promise of an unshakeable dwelling place, once conditional for Israel, is now an unconditional gift to all who are in Christ, secured by His finished work, leading us to a heavenly city whose builder and maker is God ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The Heavenly City")).

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 Samuel 7:10

Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

2 Chronicles 7:17

And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;

2 Chronicles 7:22

And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

Deuteronomy 27:26

Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 28:14

And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Leviticus 8:36

So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

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.