2 Chronicles 15:3

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:3 delivers a stark prophetic assessment of Israel's spiritual condition prior to King Asa's reforms. It highlights a period of profound spiritual decline characterized by a lack of fundamental elements essential for a healthy relationship with God and a stable society.

Context

This verse is part of the prophecy delivered by the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, to King Asa after Asa's decisive victory over the Cushites (Ethiopians) described in 2 Chronicles 14. Azariah's message explains why the previous generations experienced distress and unrest, linking their troubles directly to their spiritual failures. It serves as a powerful call to action for Asa to complete the religious reforms he had begun, promising that God would be with him if he continued to seek Him. The "long season" likely refers to the reigns of Asa's predecessors, such as Rehoboam and Abijah, who largely tolerated or participated in idolatry and neglected the worship of the Lord in Judah (though the text uses "Israel," referring to the broader nation's spiritual heritage).

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Apostasy and Neglect: The verse explicitly states Israel was "without the true God," signifying a departure from monotheistic worship to idolatry or a superficial faith. This spiritual abandonment led to societal breakdown.
  • Absence of Spiritual Leadership: Being "without a teaching priest" points to a failure in the priestly role of instructing the people in God's ways. The priests were meant to be guardians and communicators of the Law, but their negligence left the populace untaught and ignorant of divine truths.
  • Disregard for Divine Law: "Without law" indicates not merely a lack of written statutes, but a widespread disregard for God's commandments (the Torah). When God's law is ignored, moral decay and chaos often follow.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Azariah's prophecy (2 Chronicles 15:5-6) details the resulting turmoil and instability that afflicted the nation due to this spiritual vacuum.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the true God" (often derived from Hebrew terms like Elohim Emeth or similar constructs) emphasizes the distinction from the false deities and idols worshipped by surrounding nations and increasingly by Israel itself. The term "teaching priest" (kohen moreh in Hebrew) highlights the often-overlooked instructional aspect of the priestly office, which was as crucial as their sacrificial duties. Their role was to ensure the people understood and lived by the Torah, the "law" mentioned. The absence of these three pillars—God Himself, His teaching agents, and His divine instruction—created a profound spiritual void.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning and a powerful reminder for individuals and communities today:

  • Seek God Actively: Just as Israel suffered from being "without the true God," believers are called to actively seek and maintain a vibrant relationship with Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
  • Value Sound Teaching: The need for "teaching priests" underscores the importance of faithful, biblical instruction in churches and homes. Accurate understanding of God's Word is vital for spiritual health and growth.
  • Live by God's Word: Being "without law" leads to moral and spiritual drift. Adherence to God's commandments provides guidance, protection, and blessing, leading to a flourishing life (Psalm 119:105).
  • Avoid Spiritual Apathy: The "long season" of neglect in Israel illustrates the dangers of spiritual apathy and how it can lead to generations of decline. This calls for vigilance and intentional pursuit of God's ways in every aspect of life.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 8:9 (7 votes)

    ¶ 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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Hosea 3:4 (4 votes)

    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: