And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

2 CHRONICLES 15:6KJV
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What does 2 Chronicles 15:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:6 describes a time of widespread chaos and conflict, where nations and cities fought against each other and were destroyed. The verse explains that God allowed or caused this turmoil, bringing adversity upon the people.

This verse is part of a message given by the prophet Azariah to King Asa of Judah. Azariah is describing the troubled times that happened when Israel turned away from God, emphasizing how instability and hardship spread everywhere. The verse highlights that the unrest was not random, but was connected to God’s response to the people's actions.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:6

  • “Nation” (גּוֹי, goy): This word often refers to a people group or a non-Israelite nation, but here it simply means any group or nation involved in the conflict.
  • “Destroyed” (כָּתַת, kathat): This verb means to be broken, crushed, or shattered, showing the severity of the destruction between nations and cities.
  • “Vex” (הָמַם, hamam): This word means to trouble, confuse, or throw into commotion. It suggests that God actively stirred up confusion and unrest among the people.
  • “Adversity” (צָרָה, tsarah): This word means distress, trouble, or hardship, highlighting the kind of suffering and difficulty that spread throughout the land.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the chaos and destruction were not just the result of human conflict, but were understood as part of God’s judgment or discipline in response to the people’s unfaithfulness.
  • The verse sets the stage for King Asa’s reforms, showing why it was so important for the people to return to seeking God.
  • Understanding the original words for “destroyed,” “vex,” and “adversity” helps readers see the depth of the turmoil described, emphasizing just how severe and all-encompassing the troubles were during that period.

Where else these words appear

“vex” Hebrew H2000 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
  • Judges 4:15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
  • Psalms 18:14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

“destroyed” Hebrew H3807 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 22:24 Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 30:14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

“adversity” Hebrew H6869 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.