And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

2 CHRONICLES 15:9KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 15:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:9 describes how Asa, the king of Judah, gathered not only the people of Judah and Benjamin but also many people from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had come to join him. These people joined Asa because they saw that the LORD was with him in a special way.

In this verse, King Asa is responding to a time of religious renewal in Judah. People from the northern tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon) left their own lands to join Asa because they recognized that God (the LORD) was helping him. The verse highlights how Asa’s faithfulness attracted others who wanted to be part of a community where God was clearly at work.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:9

  • "Strangers" (גֵּרִים, gerim): This word refers to people who are not originally from Judah or Benjamin but have come from other Israelite tribes. Here, it emphasizes that Asa’s influence and God’s presence drew in outsiders, not just locals.
  • "Fell" (נָפַל, naphal): In this context, this word means that people "joined" or "aligned themselves" with Asa, rather than physically falling. It suggests a deliberate choice to come over to Asa’s side.
  • "Abundance" (לָרֹב, larov): This word means "in great numbers" or "a multitude." It shows that the movement of people to Asa’s kingdom was significant, not just a few individuals.
  • "Saw" (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means "to see" or "to perceive." The people recognized or understood that the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) was with Asa, which motivated their decision.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Asa’s reforms and God’s favor were so evident that they attracted people from outside his own kingdom, showing the unifying power of visible faithfulness.
  • It highlights a moment when the divisions between the tribes of Israel were less important than the desire to be where God was at work, offering a glimpse of hope and unity in a divided nation.
  • The verse sets the stage for the larger story of Asa’s reign, showing that spiritual renewal can have a wide-reaching impact beyond its immediate circle.

Where else these words appear

“Simeon” Hebrew H8095 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 29:33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
  • Numbers 1:6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
  • Joshua 21:9 And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name,

“strangers” Hebrew H1481 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Numbers 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

“Manasseh” Hebrew H4519 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Joshua 17:5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
  • 1 Chronicles 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,