That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

2 CHRONICLES 15:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 15:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:13 states that anyone in Israel who refused to seek the LORD God of Israel was to be put to death, no matter their social status or gender. This verse describes a strict requirement during a religious reform, emphasizing the seriousness of loyalty to Israel’s God at that time.

King Asa was leading a spiritual renewal in Judah, calling the people to turn away from other gods and commit themselves fully to the LORD. The verse reflects the covenant agreement made by the community, where seeking the LORD (meaning to worship and obey Him) was seen as essential for belonging to the nation. The severe penalty shows how seriously the people took this commitment in their historical context.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:13

  • seek (דָּרַשׁ, darash): This word means to search out, inquire, or worship. In this verse, it emphasizes a wholehearted pursuit of the LORD, not just casual interest.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting that the command was about loyalty to the specific God who had made a covenant with Israel.
  • death (מוּת, muth): This word means death or execution. Its use here underlines the seriousness of the covenant—breaking it was not just a minor offense.
  • small (קָטֹן, qaton) and great (גָּדוֹל, gadol): These words show that the rule applied to everyone, regardless of age, status, or importance, making the command universal within the community.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:13 matters

  • This verse clears up that the reforms under King Asa were not just personal choices but involved a binding, communal agreement with real consequences.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which ancient Israel sometimes treated loyalty to the LORD, especially during times of national crisis or renewal.
  • Understanding this verse in its context helps explain the intensity of religious reforms in the Old Testament and why such strong measures were sometimes taken.

Where else these words appear

“whether” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

“small” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 34:30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.