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.

2 CHRONICLES 15:8KJV
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2 Chronicles 15:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:8 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:8 describes how King Asa, after hearing the message and prophecy from Oded the prophet, found new courage to remove all the detestable idols from Judah, Benjamin, and the cities he had captured from the hill country of Ephraim, and he restored the altar of the LORD in front of the temple’s entrance. This verse shows Asa’s decisive response to a prophetic warning by taking bold action to purify worship and renew commitment to God.

King Asa is the main figure here, and he is reacting to a prophetic message delivered by Oded. The situation takes place in the southern kingdom of Judah during a time when idol worship had become common. Asa’s actions—removing idols and repairing the altar—are concrete steps to restore proper worship and obedience among his people after being challenged by the prophet’s words.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:8

  • "Prophecy" (נְבוּאָה, nevu'ah): This word means a message or revelation from God, not just a prediction but a declaration meant to guide or correct. Asa’s response shows he took this divine message seriously.
  • "Courage" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word often means to be strong or to strengthen oneself. The verse emphasizes that Asa’s resolve and boldness increased because of the prophetic message.
  • "Idols" (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqquts): This term refers to things considered detestable or abominable, especially foreign gods or images. The use of this word highlights how offensive these idols were in the context of Israelite worship.
  • "Renewed" (חָדַשׁ, chadash): This means to make new or repair. Asa did not just clean up the old altar but actively restored it, signaling a fresh start in the nation’s worship practices.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Asa’s reforms were not just personal but affected the entire land under his rule, including territories taken from Ephraim, showing the broad impact of his leadership.
  • The verse highlights the importance of responding to God’s message with concrete action, not just agreement or emotion.
  • By mentioning the renewal of the altar, the verse connects Asa’s reforms directly to the heart of Israel’s worship, showing that true renewal involves both removing wrong practices and restoring right ones.

Where else these words appear

“prophecy” Hebrew H5016 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
  • Nehemiah 6:12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

“Oded” Hebrew H5752 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

“renewed” Hebrew H2318 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 11:14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
  • Job 10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
  • Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

“idols” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
  • Ezekiel 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.