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2 Chronicles 34:27

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Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD.

Because thine heart {H3824} was tender {H7401}, and thou didst humble {H3665} thyself before {H6440} God {H430}, when thou heardest {H8085} his words {H1697} against this place {H4725}, and against the inhabitants {H3427} thereof, and humbledst {H3665} thyself before {H6440} me, and didst rend {H7167} thy clothes {H899}, and weep {H1058} before {H6440} me; I have even heard {H8085} thee also, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants - you humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes and cried before me - I have also heard you,' says ADONAI.

because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.

because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and hast humbled thyself before me, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:27 records the Lord's gracious response to King Josiah's profound repentance and humility. This verse is a pivotal moment in Josiah's reign, highlighting God's compassion for a broken and contrite heart, even in the face of national apostasy and impending judgment.

Context

King Josiah, who began his reign at a young age (2 Chronicles 34:1), initiated significant religious reforms in Judah. During the repair of the Temple, the "Book of the Law" was discovered (2 Chronicles 34:14). Upon hearing its words, which detailed God's covenant requirements and the curses for disobedience, Josiah was deeply distressed, recognizing the nation's grievous sin and the wrath of God that was due. He tore his clothes as a sign of mourning and repentance and immediately sought the Lord through the prophetess Huldah. This verse is God's direct reply, delivered through Huldah, acknowledging Josiah's sincere response.

Key Themes

  • Authentic Repentance and Humility: The verse emphasizes Josiah's "tender heart" and his genuine act of humbling himself before God. His actions—tearing clothes and weeping—were not mere outward displays but reflections of deep inward sorrow and submission to God's word. This illustrates the kind of humility that God honors.
  • Divine Responsiveness to Sincerity: God declares, "I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD." This assures Josiah that his repentance has been acknowledged and accepted. It underscores God's willingness to respond mercifully to those who genuinely turn to Him.
  • Personal Grace Amidst Corporate Judgment: While the judgment against Jerusalem and its inhabitants was affirmed due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience, God grants Josiah a personal reprieve. He would be gathered to his fathers in peace and not see the disaster that would befall Judah (2 Chronicles 34:28). This demonstrates that individual faithfulness and repentance can bring personal protection and peace, even when a nation faces consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thine heart was tender" comes from the Hebrew word rakh (רַךְ), meaning soft, gentle, or yielding. It signifies a heart that is sensitive and receptive to God's word, not hardened by sin or pride. This contrasts sharply with the "stiff-necked" attitude often attributed to Israel. The repeated phrase "didst humble thyself" uses the Hebrew verb kana' (כָּנַע), which means to bow down, be subdued, or be submissive. It conveys a deep, voluntary submission and acknowledgment of one's own unworthiness before God's majesty and judgment.

Practical Application

Josiah's example in 2 Chronicles 34:27 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respond to God's Word: Like Josiah, we are called to have a "tender heart" that is receptive to the Scriptures. When God's Word reveals our sin or His will, our appropriate response is not defensiveness but humble submission.
  • The Power of Genuine Repentance: This verse beautifully illustrates that God hears and responds to sincere repentance. It reminds us that when we turn from our sins with a contrite spirit, God is faithful to forgive and show mercy (1 John 1:9).
  • Humility Precedes Grace: God consistently favors the humble. As Isaiah 57:15 states, God dwells with the contrite and lowly in spirit. Josiah's humility was the key to receiving a personal promise of peace amidst impending national disaster.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Chronicles 32:26 (12 votes)

    Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, [both] he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

  • Ezekiel 9:4 (5 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

  • Psalms 34:18 (5 votes)

    The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

  • Isaiah 65:24 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

  • Jeremiah 36:23 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, [that] when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast [it] into the fire that [was] on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that [was] on the hearth.

  • Jeremiah 36:24 (3 votes)

    Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, [neither] the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

  • 2 Kings 22:18 (3 votes)

    But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [As touching] the words which thou hast heard;