2 Chronicles 15:4
2 Chronicles 15:4 in Multiple Translations
But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them.
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
but when in their distress they turned unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
But when in their trouble they were turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, searching after him, he let their search be rewarded.
But when they were in trouble they returned to the Lord, the God of Israel—they looked for him, and they found him.
But whosoeuer returned in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was founde of them.
and it turneth back in its distress unto Jehovah, God of Israel, and they seek Him, and He is found of them,
But when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.
But when they in their trouble returned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.
And when in their distress they shall return to the Lord the God of Israel, and shall seek him, they shall find him.
But when they experienced trouble, they turned to Yahweh our God, and requested him to help them. And he helped them.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 15:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Chronicles 15:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֨שָׁב֙
בַּ/צַּר
ל֔/וֹ
עַל
יְהוָ֖ה
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
וַ/יְבַקְשֻׁ֖/הוּ
וַ/יִּמָּצֵ֥א
לָ/הֶֽם
וַ/יָּ֨שָׁב֙
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/צַּר
tsar
H6862
narrow
Prep | Adj
ל֔/וֹ
Prep | Suff
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וַ/יְבַקְשֻׁ֖/הוּ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
וַ/יִּמָּצֵ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 15:4
וַ/יָּ֨שָׁב֙
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
בַּ/צַּר
tsar
H6862
"narrow"
Prep | Adj
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Definition: narrow, tight
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble. See also: Genesis 14:20; Psalms 89:24; Psalms 3:2.
ל֔/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וַ/יְבַקְשֻׁ֖/הוּ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
וַ/יִּמָּצֵ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
לָ/הֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 15:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 15:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
- Sermons on 2 Chronicles 15:4
Context — The Prophecy of Azariah
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.
3For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law.
4But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them.
5In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. 6Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 55:6 | Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 4:29–30 | But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 15:15 | And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. |
| 4 | Isaiah 65:1–2 | “I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, |
| 5 | Hosea 6:1 | Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. |
| 6 | Hosea 14:1–3 | Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips. Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.” |
| 7 | Romans 10:20 | And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.” |
| 8 | Psalms 106:44 | Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. |
| 9 | Judges 10:10–16 | Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.” The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you and you cried out to Me, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken Me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.” “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel. |
| 10 | Judges 3:9–10 | But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him. |
2 Chronicles 15:4 Summary
[This verse tells us that when the Israelites were in trouble, they turned to God and He was with them. This shows us that God is always available to help us when we need Him, as long as we are seeking Him with our whole hearts. According to Jeremiah 29:13, if we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. This is a great promise that we can hold onto, especially during difficult times, and it reminds us of the importance of seeking God above all else, just like it says in Matthew 6:33.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'turn to the LORD' as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 15:4?
To turn to the LORD means to repent and seek God with all our hearts, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:29 and Jeremiah 29:13, where we are commanded to seek God with our whole heart.
Why did God allow the Israelites to experience distress before they turned to Him?
God often allows distress to come into our lives to draw us back to Himself, as seen in Isaiah 48:10, where God refines us in the furnace of affliction to purify our hearts and make us seek Him.
How can we be certain that God will be found by us when we seek Him?
According to Jeremiah 29:13, when we seek God with our whole heart, we will find Him, and 2 Chronicles 15:4 confirms this by saying 'He was found by them' when they turned to the LORD in their distress.
What is the relationship between seeking God and finding Him?
According to 2 Chronicles 15:2, if we seek God, He will be found by us, but if we forsake Him, He will forsake us, emphasizing the importance of a genuine and wholehearted pursuit of God, as seen in Matthew 7:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am currently experiencing distress, and how can I use those difficult circumstances to draw closer to God?
- In what ways can I demonstrate a wholehearted pursuit of God, like the Israelites did in 2 Chronicles 15:4?
- What are some things that I have been seeking after in my life, and how do they compare to seeking after God?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking God in my daily life, especially during times of trouble or uncertainty?
- What does it mean to 'seek the LORD' in a practical sense, and how can I make this a regular part of my spiritual practice?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 15:4
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel,.... When being carried captive by neighbouring nations, and oppressed; and they cried unto the Lord, and repented of their sins,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 15:4
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
When they did turn, i.e. Israel, mentioned .
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
2 Chronicles 15:4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.Ver. 4. But when they in their trouble,] i.e., Their ancestors before the revolt, as in the days of the Judges. Some understand it of the Babylonish captivity, and read thus, But when they in their trouble shall return, &c., as many of the ten tribes also then did, and came back with the rest to their own country.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
(4) But when they in their trouble did turn.—Literally, and he returned in his straits (Deuteronomy 4:30) unto Jehovah, the God of Israel; they sought him, and, etc. (See Judges 3:9; Judges 3:15; Judges 4:3; Judges 4:15; Judges 6:6, sqq.; Psalms 106:44; Psalms 107:6.)
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:4
4. When they in their trouble did turn… he was found — This was often verified in the days of the Judges. Compare Judges 3:9; Judges 3:15; Judges 4:3-7, etc.
Sermons on 2 Chronicles 15:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Craving for the Presence - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying o |
|
|
A Touch From God (Full) by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and being willing to fully surrender to Him, leaving behind defilement and busyness. It highlights the need for a de |
|
|
A Craving for the Presence - Part 2 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving and seeking the presence of the Lord in our lives, rather than just relying on legal contracts or promises. It highlights the need |
|
|
God Wants to Make Covenant With You! by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in serving God. Under the Old Covenant, people tried to please God through thei |
|
Calling on the Name of the Lord by Jim Cymbala | This sermon emphasizes the power and importance of calling on the name of the Lord in times of trouble and need. It recounts personal experiences and biblical principles that highl |
|
|
The Lord's Word Shall Prevail by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher invites the audience to join a counter-culture revolution that is happening worldwide. He encourages them to set their minds and stir their hearts thro |
|
|
Losing the Anointing - Part 2 (High Quality) by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking a fresh anointing from God, recounting personal experiences of revival and the need for a renewed passion for ministry. The speaker |