But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

2 CHRONICLES 15:17KJV
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2 Chronicles 15:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:17 says that although King Asa did not remove the high places from Israel, his heart was fully committed to God throughout his life. The verse highlights a contrast between Asa’s personal devotion and the incomplete religious reforms in the nation.

The book of 2 Chronicles is describing the reign of King Asa of Judah. The “high places” were local sites of worship, often associated with practices that did not align with worshiping the God of Israel. Even though Asa was personally faithful (“his heart was perfect”), he did not fully eliminate these sites from Israel, showing that his reforms had limits.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:17

  • “High places” (בָּמָה, bamah): These were elevated sites used for worship. The word points to the ongoing presence of alternative worship locations, which the text sees as a problem.
  • “Heart” (לֵבָב, levav): This refers to Asa’s inner commitment or loyalty. The verse uses this word to stress that Asa’s intentions and dedication to God were genuine, even if his actions did not fully match.
  • “Perfect” (שָׁלֵם, shalem): This word often means “whole” or “complete.” Here, it means Asa’s devotion was undivided, even if his reforms were incomplete.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:17 matters

  • The verse clarifies that a leader’s personal faithfulness does not always result in complete outward reform, highlighting the complexity of spiritual leadership.
  • It shows that God values the sincerity and loyalty of the heart (“perfect heart”), even when someone’s actions are not flawless or all-encompassing.
  • This verse connects to the broader story of Asa, where his reign is generally positive but not without its shortcomings, helping readers see both his strengths and his limits.

Where else these words appear

“perfect” Hebrew H8003 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
  • 1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.

“Asa” Hebrew H609 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 16:10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

“places” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.