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<a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without the Law. <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And for many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now for many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now for a long time Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest, and without [God’s] law. <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now for a long season Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law: <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> For a long time, the people of Israel did not worship the true God or listen to priests who could teach them about God. They refused to obey God's Law. <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now for long seasons Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law: <a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest who taught [correctly], and without Moses' Teachings. <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> For a long time Israel lived without the true God, without priests to teach them, and without a law. <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Israel lived for years without the true God, priests to teach them, and the Law, <a href="/msb/2_chronicles/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law. <a href="/net/2_chronicles/15.htm">NET Bible</a> For a long time Israel had no true God, or priest to instruct them, or law. <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now for a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. <a href="/web/2_chronicles/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Now for a long time Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and many days [are] to Israel without [the] true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law, <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and many days are to Israel without a true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law, <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And many days to Israel for not a God of truth, and for no priest teaching, and for no law.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And many days shall pass in Israel without the true God, and without a priest a teacher, and without the law. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then many days will pass in Israel, apart from the true God, and apart from a learned priest, and apart from the law. <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/15.htm">New American Bible</a> For a long time Israel was without a true God, without a priest-teacher, without instruction, <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now for a long time Israel has not served their God in truth and has not accepted the teaching of their priests and would not obey their laws; therefore they were delivered into the hand of their enemies. <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> For many Days Israel did not serve their God in the truth, and they did not receive from their Priests and they did not listen to their law, and they were handed over into the hand of enemies.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now for long seasons Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law; <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Israel has been a long time without the true God, and without a priest to expound the truth, and without the law. <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGrb4955Tvs?start=3453" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/15.htm">The Prophecy of Azariah</a> …2So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3<a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">For many</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: wə·yā·mîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: lə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lə·lō (Prep-l:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">has been without</a> <a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ’ĕ·meṯ (N-fs) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">the true</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: ū·lə·lō (Conj-w, Prep-l:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: kō·hên (N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">a priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3384.htm" title="3384: mō·w·reh (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or yara; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water; transitively, to lay or throw; figuratively, to point out, to teach.">to instruct them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: ū·lə·lō (Conj-w, Prep-l:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and without</a> <a href="/hebrew/8451.htm" title="8451: ṯō·w·rāh (N-fs) -- Direction, instruction, law. Or torah; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.">the law.</a> 4But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a> For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or idol. <a href="/judges/2-10.htm">Judges 2:10-12</a> After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel. / And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1</a> And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce. <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a> “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. <a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16-18</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. / On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. <a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12</a> remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">1 Corinthians 1:21</a> For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. <a href="/john/4-22.htm">John 4:22</a> You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23</a> For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a> ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” <a href="/2_kings/17-33.htm">2 Kings 17:33-34</a> They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. / To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now for a long season Israel has been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.a long<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-33</a> Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt… <a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a> For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:true God<a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10</a> But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a> For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;a teaching<a href="/2_chronicles/17-8.htm">2 Chronicles 17:8,9</a> And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests… <a href="/leviticus/10-11.htm">Leviticus 10:11</a> And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.<a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Deuteronomy 33:10</a> They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.without law<a href="/romans/2-12.htm">Romans 2:12</a> For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;<a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Romans 7:8,9</a> But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead… <a href="/1_corinthians/9-21.htm">1 Corinthians 9:21</a> To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/13-18.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-4.htm">Law</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-9.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-29.htm">Season</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/8-13.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-27.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-28.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-20.htm">Time</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/12-14.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/15-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-9.htm">Law</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-11.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezra/10-13.htm">Season</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-3.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-7.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-9.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-12.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 15</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-1.htm">Asa, with Judah and many of Israel, moved by the prophecy of Azariah, </a> 12. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-12.htm">make a solemn covenant with God</a> 16. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">He puts down Maachah his grandmother for idolatry</a> 18. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-18.htm">He brings dedicated things into the house of God, and enjoys a long peace.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For many years Israel has been without the true God This phrase highlights a period of spiritual decline in Israel's history, where the people turned away from worshiping Yahweh, the one true God, and instead followed false gods and idols. This period of apostasy is reminiscent of the time of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). The absence of the true God in their lives led to moral and social chaos, as seen in the repeated cycles of sin and redemption throughout Israel's history. This serves as a warning of the consequences of abandoning God, emphasizing the need for continual faithfulness and devotion.without a priest to instruct them The role of the priest in Israel was crucial for maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. Priests were responsible for teaching the Law, leading worship, and offering sacrifices. Without a priest to instruct them, the people lacked spiritual guidance and understanding of God's commandments. This absence is significant because it points to a breakdown in the religious structure that God had established through Moses. The priesthood was meant to be a bridge between God and the people, and without it, the nation was left in spiritual darkness. This situation foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity (<a href="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14-16</a>).and without the law The law, given through Moses, was the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God. It provided moral, ceremonial, and civil guidelines for living a life pleasing to God. Being without the law meant that the people were not only ignorant of God's standards but also unable to live in a way that honored Him. This neglect of the law often led to idolatry and injustice, as seen in various periods of Israel's history. The law also pointed forward to Christ, who fulfilled its requirements and brought a new covenant based on grace and truth (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>, <a href="/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17</a>). The absence of the law underscores the need for God's Word to be central in the life of His people, guiding them in truth and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, often struggling with faithfulness and obedience to His commandments. 2. <a href="/topical/a/asa.htm">Asa</a> The King of Judah during this time, who sought to reform the nation and bring them back to the worship of the true God. 3. <a href="/topical/a/azariah_son_of_oded.htm">Azariah son of Oded</a> The prophet who delivered God's message to Asa, encouraging him to lead the people back to God. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, where Asa reigned and sought to implement religious reforms. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God's commandments and instructions for His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_true_worship.htm">The Necessity of True Worship</a> Without the true God, people are left to their own devices, leading to spiritual and moral decay. True worship requires a relationship with the living God, not just religious rituals. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a> Priests and spiritual leaders are essential for instructing and guiding people in the ways of God. Their absence leads to a lack of understanding and obedience to God's laws. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_law.htm">The Importance of God's Law</a> The law serves as a foundation for living a life that honors God. Without it, people lack direction and fall into sin and idolatry. <a href="/topical/r/revival_and_reform.htm">Revival and Reform</a> Spiritual revival often begins with a return to God's Word and a commitment to follow His commandments. Leaders play a crucial role in initiating and sustaining this process. <a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility_in_faith.htm">Personal Responsibility in Faith</a> Each individual is responsible for seeking God and His truth. While leaders can guide, personal commitment to knowing and obeying God's Word is essential.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 15</a> <a href="/q/how_did_israel_function_without_god.htm">How can 2 Chronicles 15:3–4 claim that Israel was without the true God yet still functioned as a nation with established worship practices? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_2_chron._27_omit_jotham's_conflicts.htm">Why does 2 Chronicles 27 omit details about Jotham's conflicts found in 2 Kings, raising doubts about the reliability of both accounts?</a> <a href="/q/is_being_wealthy_considered_sinful.htm">Who was Azariah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/priests_vs._levites__role_differences.htm">How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Now for a long season Israel hath been.--Literally, And many days to Israel, without true God, and without teaching priest, and without teaching. This is clearly an illustration of the general truth asserted in last verse. "Many a time hath Israel been without true God," etc. Periods of religious decline, such as those recorded in the Book of Judges, as well as those of later times, especially since the division of the kingdom, are adduced as historical proof of the statement that the Lord was with Israel while they were with him. (Comp. <a href="/context/judges/2-11.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:">Judges 2:11-19</a>; <a href="/context/judges/3-7.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.">Judges 3:7-10</a>; also <a href="/context/hosea/3-4.htm" title="For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:">Hosea 3:4-5</a>.)Without.--L?l?', only here in this sense.The true God.--<a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm" title="Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.">Jeremiah 10:9</a> : "Jehovah is true God" ('elohim 'emeth).Teaching priest.--Koh?n moreh. (See <a href="/leviticus/10-11.htm" title="And that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.">Leviticus 10:11</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm" title="And you shall come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment:">Deuteronomy 17:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm" title="They shall teach Jacob your judgments, and Israel your law: they shall put incense before you, and whole burnt sacrifice on your altar.">Deuteronomy 33:10</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/24-8.htm" title="Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that you observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so you shall observe to do.">Deuteronomy 24:8</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm" title="And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.">Ezekiel 44:23</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm" title="Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.">Jeremiah 18:18</a>; <a href="/context/malachi/2-6.htm" title="The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.">Malachi 2:6-7</a>.) The priests instructed the people in the Torah, or divine Law (literally, teaching). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Now for a long season. This translation is wrong; translate rather first, And many the days to Israel to not have true God, and to not have teaching priest, and to not have Law. So far no tense is limited, however naturally through the very drift of the passage it may seem that experience is being challenged, and so necessarily the past tense desiderated, not, however, in aorist shape, but in what some French grammarians call present perfect. For Azariah may well contemplate his illustration as good from long of old, to the very moment he was speaking. The unfortunate wealth of illustration to hand of his position may pardon the doubtfulness of commentators as to the source from which it may be supposed he would have drawn his most effective instances. It will not be the unlikeliest guide to follow the triple description of the alleged apostasy, misfortune, or iniquity "of Israel," e.g. (say) it happened to them to not have the true God; happened to them to not have teaching priest; happened to them to not have the Law (this meaning, to not have it authoritatively proclaimed, taught, ministered). When did these three things happen altogether most notoriously? They describe, not the transgressions of an individual king, but the state of the people and kingdom as a whole. If it were possible to conceive the description as a flagrant anachronism, a retrospective post-Captivity amplification, which the writer (in his glow of work and thought) was unconsciously and irresistibly betrayed into putting into the lips of the Prophet Azariah, all doubt would end; for the description would suit no state of things and no period better than that of the divided kingdoms, especially applying to the career of the separate kingdom of Israel. Our account, unfortunately, is unchecked just here by a parallel. It is, however, impossible to suppose this without any tittle of external authority for it, much less enough to proceed upon. Some so crave the illustration that they are prepared to suppose all the tenses of these verses present and future rather than past and "present perfect." But, in fact, no doubt the history of Israel since the death of Moses illustrated the language of Azariah passim to a degree beyond all "that is written" or that we know. And then we may certainly consider theft the expression chosen, "many days" (which some translate "many a day," "many a time "), even the word "years" not being employed, leaves it open to us to go to short episodes of an irreligious and disastrous character in the history of Israel. Lastly, the long stretch of fully three hundred years, extending throughout the Book of Judges (its last five chapters in right order or wrong)into the opening seven chapters of 1 Samuel, provides one running comment, superabundant almost to repetitiousness, for the illustration of our vers. 3-7; in many cases absolutely picking out the very colours to match (e.g. <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Judges 5:6</a>; <a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29, 31</a>, compared with our ver. 5). To distinguish and separate the very numerous references that might be made is merely supererogatory, and spoils the unmatched mosaic work of the history (<a href="/judges/2-15.htm">Judges 2:15, 18, 19</a>; <a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Judges 3:12-15</a>; <a href="/judges/4-1.htm">Judges 4:1-3</a>; <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Judges 5:6, 19-21, 31</a>: 6:1-5, 7-10; 9:32-37; 10:6-16; 11:19, 20; 12:5, 6; 17:5, 6, 13; 20:29, 31; <a href="/1_samuel/2-30.htm">1 Samuel 2:30 -35</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/4-9.htm">1 Samuel 4:9-22</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3, 8</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">1 Samuel 13:19-22</a>). It is a long-stretched-out history of a practically atheistic, priest-less, lawless life; divided into narratives of invasion, oppression, servitude (sevenfold, the Mesopotamian, Moabite, Canaanitish, Midianitish, Ammonitish, Philistine, and, it may be added, in order to comprehend all internal strife, Ishmaelitish larger and lesser, yet surprisingly general), smart, cry for help manifestly more the cry of pain and cowardice than of penitence and repentance, resolution and vow, and - for another trial and still another - of Divine pity, forbearance, and deliverance <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>For many רַבִּ֖ים (rab·bîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great years וְיָמִ֥ים (wə·yā·mîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day Israel לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (lə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc has been without לְלֹ֣א ׀ (lə·lō) Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no the true אֱמֶ֗ת (’ĕ·meṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness God, אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative without וּלְלֹ֛א (ū·lə·lō) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no a priest כֹּהֵ֥ן (kō·hên) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest to instruct them, מוֹרֶ֖ה (mō·w·reh) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach and without וּלְלֹ֥א (ū·lə·lō) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no law. תוֹרָֽה׃ (ṯō·w·rāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8451.htm">Strong's 8451: </a> Direction, instruction, law <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 15:3 Now for a long season Israel was (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/15-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 15:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 15:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/15-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 15:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 15:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>