And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

2 CHRONICLES 12:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 12:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 12:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 12:7 means that when God saw the people had humbled themselves, He sent a message through the prophet Shemaiah saying He would not completely destroy them. Instead, God promised to give them some relief and not let His full anger fall on Jerusalem through Shishak, the Egyptian king.

This verse takes place after King Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah had turned away from God and faced invasion by Shishak. God is speaking to Shemaiah, a prophet, to let the people know that their act of humbling themselves—admitting their wrong and seeking mercy—has changed the outcome. God’s response shows both His justice (He had been angry) and His willingness to show mercy when people turn back to Him.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 12:7

  • "humbled" (כָּנַע, kānaʿ): This word means to lower oneself or submit. The verse repeats it to stress that the people’s genuine humility was the turning point for God’s response.
  • "deliverance" (פְּלֵיטָה, pĕlētāh): This word means an escape or a remnant being saved. God does not promise total rescue, but a partial relief—some will be spared, but not all consequences are removed.
  • "wrath" (חֵמָה, ḥēmāh): This word is often used for fierce anger. The verse makes clear that God’s intense anger will not be poured out on Jerusalem in the way it could have been.

Why 2 Chronicles 12:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s mercy is not automatic; it is a response to genuine humility and repentance. The people’s change of heart led to a change in God’s actions.
  • The verse shows that while God relents from total destruction, He does not remove all consequences. Some judgment remains, but it is less severe because of their response.
  • In the wider passage, this moment marks a turning point for Judah. It highlights the role of prophets like Shemaiah as messengers who bring both warning and hope from God.

Where else these words appear

“Shishak” Hebrew H7895 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
  • 1 Kings 14:25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
  • 2 Chronicles 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

“out” Hebrew H5413 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • Job 3:24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
  • Ezekiel 22:21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof.

“deliverance” Hebrew H6413 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 32:8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

“humbled” Hebrew H3665 · used in 32 verses

  • Leviticus 26:41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,