Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2 CHRONICLES 15:7KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 15:7 mean?
2 Chronicles 15:7 encourages its listeners to stay strong and not give up, promising that their efforts will be recognized and rewarded. The verse is a call to perseverance, assuring that hard work and faithfulness will not go unnoticed.
The prophet Azariah is speaking to King Asa and the people of Judah during a time of religious reform. The people are being urged to remain committed to seeking God and carrying out needed changes, even when it is difficult. The promise of reward is meant to motivate them to keep going, especially when the work feels tiring or thankless.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:7
- "Strong" (חָזַק, chazaq, H2388) means to be courageous or resolute. Here, it is a call to inner strength and determination, not just physical might.
- "Weak" (רָפָה, raphah, H7503) means to let go, slacken, or become discouraged. The verse urges the people not to let their "hands" (יָד, yad, H3027) become slack, a picture of losing energy or motivation.
- "Work" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh, H6468) refers to deeds or efforts, especially those done in service to God during this period of reform.
- "Rewarded" (שָׂכָר, sakar, H7939) means wages, compensation, or a just return. The promise is that God will notice and repay their faithful actions.
Why 2 Chronicles 15:7 matters
- This verse clarifies that perseverance in doing what is right, especially in difficult times, is seen and valued by God, not just by people.
- The encouragement to "be strong" is not about brute force but about staying committed and not losing heart, which is especially relevant in times of spiritual or moral challenge.
- In the wider passage, this promise comes as part of a call to reform and renewal, showing that real change often requires endurance and that such work is worth the effort.