And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
2 CHRONICLES 33:10KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 33:10 mean?
2 Chronicles 33:10 says that the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they refused to listen. This verse highlights that God tried to warn or guide them, but they ignored His message.
The setting is during the reign of King Manasseh of Judah, who is known for leading the people into wrongdoing. The verse points out that both the king and the people were given a chance to hear from God, but they chose not to pay attention. This refusal to listen sets the stage for the consequences that follow in the story.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 33:10
- LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for the God of Israel, emphasizing that the message comes directly from Israel’s covenant God, not a distant or generic deity.
- spake (דָּבַר, dabar): This word often means "to speak" or "to declare," suggesting that God made an effort to communicate clearly and intentionally.
- hearken (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means "to listen" or "to pay attention," but it often carries the sense of listening with the intent to obey. The verse is not just about hearing sounds, but about refusing to respond or act on what God said.
Why 2 Chronicles 33:10 matters
- This verse clarifies that God did not act in judgment without first reaching out to Manasseh and his people, showing that they had a real opportunity to change.
- The emphasis on both the king and the people refusing to listen highlights shared responsibility for what happens next, not just the failure of the leader.
- Understanding this verse helps explain why later verses describe serious consequences; the people’s refusal to "hearken" makes those events a response to persistent disregard, not a sudden or unfair punishment.