2 Chronicles 7:20

Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations.

Then will I pluck them up by the roots {H5428} out of my land {H127} which I have given {H5414} them; and this house {H1004}, which I have sanctified {H6942} for my name {H8034}, will I cast out {H7993} of my sight {H6440}, and will make {H5414} it to be a proverb {H4912} and a byword {H8148} among all nations {H5971}.

then I will pull them up by the roots out of the land I have given them. This house, which I consecrated for my name, I will eject from my sight; and I will make it an example to avoid and an object of scorn among all peoples.

then 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.

then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

2 Chronicles 7:20 is a solemn warning from God to King Solomon and the nation of Israel, delivered after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. It underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings and the severe consequences of disobedience.

Context

This verse comes immediately after God's glorious appearance and acceptance of Solomon's prayer at the Temple dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). God had just promised His presence and a pathway to restoration if His people humbled themselves and sought Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). However, alongside this promise of blessing for obedience, God also gives a stark warning of judgment for apostasy. This warning serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the troubles Israel would face due to their future unfaithfulness, culminating in the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Disobedience: The verse vividly portrays God's readiness to execute judgment if Israel turns away from Him. "Pluck them up by the roots" signifies a complete and forceful removal from the land promised to their ancestors. This is a direct consequence of breaking the covenant God made with them, echoing warnings found throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in Deuteronomy 28.
  • The Sanctity and Vulnerability of the Temple: Even the glorious Temple, "which I have sanctified for my name," is not immune to God's wrath if the people it serves become corrupt. God declares He will "cast it out of my sight," indicating its desecration and ultimate destruction. This highlights that God's presence is tied to the faithfulness of His people, not merely to a physical structure.
  • National Disgrace and Reproach: To "make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations" means Israel would become an object of scorn, mockery, and a cautionary tale. Their former glory would turn into public shame, illustrating the severe consequences of forsaking their God. This prophecy was tragically fulfilled during the Babylonian exile (see Jeremiah 25:9-11).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pluck them up by the roots" (Hebrew: natash, meaning to abandon, forsake, uproot) conveys a forceful and complete removal, like a plant torn out of the ground. It emphasizes the totality of the judgment. The terms "proverb and a byword" (Hebrew: mashal and sheninah) collectively describe a state of being an object of ridicule, a saying, or a taunt among other nations. It implies deep disgrace and contempt, a stark contrast to the blessing of being a "praise among all people" if they had remained faithful.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice. For believers today, it emphasizes:

  • The importance of personal and corporate faithfulness to God.
  • That spiritual privilege (like having a magnificent temple or rich spiritual heritage) does not exempt one from accountability.
  • The serious consequences of spiritual complacency and turning away from God's commands.
  • God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His character and His desire for His people to walk in obedience and receive His blessings.

Just as God held ancient Israel accountable, He calls believers to live lives consistent with their faith, understanding that disobedience has consequences, while obedience brings blessing and honor to His name.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 28:37

    And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

  • 2 Kings 17:20

    And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

  • Jeremiah 24:9

    And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

  • Jeremiah 45:4

    Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, [that] which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

  • 1 Kings 9:7

    Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

  • Deuteronomy 29:28

    And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.

  • 1 Kings 14:15

    For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.

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