2 Kings 21:8

Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

Neither will I make the feet {H7272} of Israel {H3478} move {H5110} any more {H3254} out of the land {H127} which I gave {H5414} their fathers {H1}; only if they will observe {H8104} to do {H6213} according to all that I have commanded {H6680} them, and according to all the law {H8451} that my servant {H5650} Moses {H4872} commanded {H6680} them.

Also I will not have the feet of Isra'el wander any longer out of the land which I gave their ancestors - if only they will take heed to obey every order I have given them and live in accordance with all the Torah that my servant Moshe ordered them to obey."

I will never again cause the feet of the Israelites to wander from the land that I gave to their fathers, if only they are careful to do all I have commanded themโ€”the whole Law that My servant Moses commanded them.โ€

neither will I cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

Commentary

2 Kings 21:8 presents a powerful reminder of God's conditional covenant with Israel regarding their dwelling in the promised land. This verse, delivered during the reign of King Manasseh, highlights the stark contrast between God's enduring promise and the people's increasing disobedience.

Context

This verse appears in the midst of the narrative describing the exceedingly wicked reign of King Manasseh of Judah (2 Kings 21:1-18). Manasseh is depicted as one of the most idolatrous kings, undoing the reforms of his father, Hezekiah. He rebuilt high places, worshipped Baal, practiced child sacrifice, and even placed an idol in the very Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. In this context, verse 8 serves as a divine lament or a reiteration of a past, unfulfilled promise. It articulates God's original intention and covenant terms, emphasizing that the security of their presence in the land was always contingent upon their faithfulness to Him and His commands given through Moses. Manasseh's actions directly violated these conditions, foreshadowing the impending Babylonian exile.

Key Themes

  • Conditional Covenant: The verse clearly states that God's promise for Israel to remain in the land was not unconditional. Their tenure was directly tied to their obedience to His laws. This principle is central to the Mosaic Covenant, where blessings were contingent upon faithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and curses upon disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
  • The Promise of the Land: God reiterates His gift of the land to their "fathers," referring to the Abrahamic promise. The land was a tangible sign of God's covenant relationship with His people, a place of rest and blessing, but its retention required fidelity.
  • Obedience to God's Law: The emphasis on observing "all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them" underscores the importance of adherence to divine statutes. This includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws given at Sinai.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Although stated as a past promise, the immediate context of Manasseh's reign highlights the tragic reality that Israel's persistent disobedience would ultimately lead to their removal from the land, culminating in the Babylonian captivity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "move any more out of the land" (Hebrew: ืœึนื ืื•ึนืกึดื™ืฃ ืœึฐื”ึธื ึดื™ื“ ืจึถื’ึถืœ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ืจึธืึตืœ, lo' osif lehanid regel Yisra'el) conveys a strong sense of divine resolve and a desire for Israel's permanent settlement. The verb "move" (hanid) implies being dislodged or shaken, emphasizing the stability God intended for them. The condition "only if they will observe to do" (ืึดืึพืจึทืง ื™ึดืฉึฐืืžึฐืจื•ึผ ืœึทืขึฒืฉื‚ื•ึนืช, im-raq yishmeru la'asot) highlights the absolute necessity of active and diligent adherence to the covenant terms, emphasizing the word shamar, meaning "to keep" or "to guard" with care.

Practical Application

While specific to ancient Israel, the principle in 2 Kings 21:8 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It teaches us about the nature of God's relationship with His people:

  • God's Faithfulness and Expectations: God remains faithful to His promises, but His blessings are often contingent upon our obedience to His will.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The narrative of Manasseh serves as a stark warning about the devastating impact of sin and idolatry, not just on individuals but on communities and nations.
  • The Importance of God's Word: Our spiritual well-being and stability are rooted in diligently observing and living by God's commands, as revealed in His Word. Just as Israel's dwelling in the land depended on adherence to the Law of Moses, our spiritual "dwelling" in God's favor depends on our response to His revealed truth in Christ.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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 Kings 18:11

    And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

  • 2 Kings 18:12

    Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, [and] all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear [them], nor do [them].

  • 2 Chronicles 33:8

    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.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:9

    Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

  • Jeremiah 17:20

    And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
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