because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God, when you heard his words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me, I also have heard you,” says Yahweh.
Parallel Translations
-
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God, when you heard his words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me, I also have heard you,” says Yahweh.
-
Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
-
because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest His words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and hast humbled thyself before Me, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (17)
Passages linked to 2 Chronicles 34:27 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 2 Chronicles 32:26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh’s wrath didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah.
- Psalms 34:18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
- Ezekiel 9:4 Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
- 2 Chronicles 33:12 When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- 2 Chronicles 34:19 When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
- Isaiah 65:24 It will happen that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
- 2 Kings 22:18-19 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh.
- 2 Chronicles 12:7 When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
- 2 Chronicles 32:12-13 Hasn’t the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You shall worship before one altar, and you shall burn incense on it?’ Don’t you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand?
- Psalms 10:17 Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,
- Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
- Isaiah 57:15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Isaiah 66:2 For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.
- Jeremiah 36:23-24 When Jehudi had read three or four leaves, the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments.
- 2 Chronicles 33:19 His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the Asherah poles and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.
- James 4:6-10 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- Ezekiel 36:26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (6 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain This declareth what is the end of God’s threatenings,…
This declareth what is the end of God’s threatenings, to call his to repentance, and to assure the unrepentant of their destruction.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Ch 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou…
2Ch 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD.
Ver. 27. Because thine heart was tender.] So was King Edward VI when he heard Ridley or Latimer; whose sermons he did usually excerpt and note with his own hand.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 27. Because thine heart was tender] "Because thy…
Verse 27. Because thine heart was tender] "Because thy heart was melted, and thou hast humbled thyself in the sight of the WORD of the Lord, מימרא דיי meymera daya, when thou didst hear his words, ית פתגמוי yath pithgamoi, against this place," &c. Here the Targum most evidently distinguishes between מימרא meymera, the PERSONAL WORD, and פתגם pithgam, a word spoken or expressed.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 27. humbledst … and didst rend … and weep]…
27. humbledst … and didst rend … and weep] R.V. hast humbled … and hast rent … and wept.
I have men heard thee also] R.V. I also have heard thee.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Because thine heart was tender.
2Ch_34:27
Because thine heart was tender.
Read full note →
The tender heart
We see that waters of the same colour have not the same nature and effect, for hot waters are of the same colour with plain ordinary waters, yet more effectual; so the words of man coming from a man may seem at first to be the same with others, yet notwithstanding, the words of God coming from the Spirit of God carry a more wonderful excellency in them even to hearts of kings. Therefore Huldah speaks to the king, Thus saith the Lord, etc. Josiah in uprightness sends to inquire, and the Lord returns him a full and upright answer. Whence we may learn--
I. That God doth graciously fit prophets for persons, and His word to a people that are upright in their hearts. Where there is a true desire to know the will of God, there God will give men sincere prophets that shall answer them exactly. But those that are false-hearted shall have suitable teachers, who shall instruct them according to their lusts. If they be like Ahab, they shall have four hundred false prophets to teach falsehood to please their lusts (1Ki_22:6); but if they be Davids they shall have Nathans. If they be Josiahs they shall have Huldahs and Jeremiahs. God commended Josiah because his heart was tender. A tender heart is--
1. Sensitive.
2. Pliable.
3. Yielding.
II. That it is a supernatural disposition of a true child of God to have a tender, soft, and a melting heart. All by nature have stony hearts in respect of spiritual goodness. Say what you will to a hard heart, it will never yield. A hammer will do no good to a stone. It may break it in pieces, but not draw it to any form. So to a stony heart all the threatenings in the world will do no good. You may break it in pieces but never work upon it. It must be the Almighty power of God. All that are gracious must of necessity have soft hearts.
III. Therefore i will show--
1. How a tender heart is wrought. It is made tender by Him who made it (Eze_11:19).
1. God through the use of means softens it by His Word, in producing apprehension of judgment.
2. It is wrought by an apprehension of tenderness and love in Christ. Many say that an adamant cannot be melted with fire, but by blood. I cannot tell whether this be true or no; but I am sure nothing will melt the hard heart of man but the blood of Christ.
3. When the heart is made tender by the Spirit, many things will work tenderness.
(1) The works of God.
(2) His judgments.
(3) The Word and sacraments.
(4) Gods promises.
2. How it may be preserved and maintained.
(1) Keep under the means whereby Gods Spirit will work.
(2) Seek to realise the forlorn state of the Church abroad.
(3) Labour for a legal and evangelical faith.
(4) Associate with those who are tender-hearted.
(5) Take heed of the least sin against conscience. As water, when it begins to freeze, will not endure anything, not so much as the weight of a pin upon it, but after a while will bear the weight of a cart; even so at the beginning, the heart being tender, trembles at the least sin, and will not bear with any one; but when it once gives way to sins against conscience, it becomes so frozen that it can endure any sin, and so becomes more and more hard.
(6) Take heed of spiritual drunkenness; that is, be not drunk with an immoderate use of the creatures (Hos_4:11).
(7) Take heed of hypocrisy.
(8) Take heed of great sins.
(9) Consider the miserable estate of hardness of heart.
8. How it may be discerned from the contrary. By applying of the soul unto objects--
(1) To God. As it is tender from God, so it is tender for God. He that hath a tender heart cannot endure to dishonour God himself, or to hear others dishonour Him.
(2) To His Word. A tender heart is sensitive to--
(a) Its threatening (Isa_66:2; 2Co_5:11; 2Pe_3:11); its promises, its directions (Isa_6:8; Psa_27:8).
(3) To the works of God. A tender heart quakes when it sees the judgments of God upon others.
(4) To our regard of the estate of others, whether they be good or bad (Psa_119:136; Php_3:18; Mat_23:37; Mat_11:25).
Conclusion:
1. What an excellent thing a tender heart is (Isa_57:15).
2. It fits a man for the end for which he was created. The service of God.
3. It is fit for any blessedness. It is capable of any beatitude.
4. Consider the wretched state of a heart that is not tender, and will not yield. (R. Sibbes.)
A tender heart
I. Give a general account of a tender heart. It implies--
1. A quick and ready sense and feeling in spiritual things.
(1) Quickness of apprehension.
(2) Ready reflections of conscience.
(3) A disposition to be easily affected.
2. A pliable disposition to yield to Divine influences.
II. Describe the way in which such a temper should express itself.
1. In relation to the Word of God. A man of religious tenderness of spirit will--
(1) Make it his business to acquaint himself with the mind of God.
(2) Pay ready subjection to the authority of God in His Word.
(3) Be afraid to do anything which he doubts to be disagreeable to Gods Word.
(4) Will frequently compare his heart and life with Gods Word.
2. In relation to sin.
3. In relation to providential events.
4. In relation to the honour of God.
III. What foundation is laid for such a temper in Christianity.
1. The rule of our faith and practice is more complete.
2. The recompenses of the life to come are more fully revealed to us.
3. Richer discoveries of grace are made to us.
4. Ceremonials have given way to substantials of religion.
5. The softening spirit is more plentifully communicated.
IV. Inferences.
1. Discern the differences between a truly Christian temper and some things mistaken for it. It is not--
(1) Natural easiness of disposition--
(2) Occasional.
2. Let us all seek after and cultivate this tenderness of spirit.
3. If conscious of its possession, take the comfort of it as good evidence of a renewed and Christian state. (J. Evans, D.D.)
And thou didst humble thyself.
Self-humbling
I. The acceptable act.
1. It was a real and personal act.
2. It was voluntary. Thou didst humble thyself.
3. It was a sincerely devout act.
4. It was a very deep and thorough one.
II. Reasons for imitating it.
1. A deep sense of sin, its heinousness and the punishment it deserves.
2. Our origin and our end.
3. The sovereign grace which has made us to differ.
4. The greatness of God.
5. The life and death of Christ.
III. The encouraging results which followed.
1. Humiliation will often avert judgment.
2. It always brings a positive blessing with it.
3. It will improve our spiritual health.
4. It promotes our usefulness. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The art of self-humbling
I. That it is a disposition not unbefitting kings to humble themselves before God.
II. That the actions of grace are reflected actions. They begin from a mans self, and end in a mans self. Yet we must not exclude the Spirit. For the further expression of this humbling of ourselves before God, we will consider--
1. The kinds and degrees of it.
(1) Inward.
(a) Humiliation in the mind in regard of judgment and knowledge, when our understandings are convinced, that we are as we are.
(b) Affections of humiliation, shame, sorrow, fear.
(2) Outward. As manifested in words and in outward behaviour and carriage.
2. Some directions how we may humble ourselves,
(1) Get poor spirits, that is spirits to see the wants in ourselves and in the creature; the emptiness of all earthly things without Gods favour; the insufficiency of ourselves and of the creature at the day of judgment.
(2) Let us bring ourselves into the presence of the Great God and consider His attributes, His works of justice abroad in the world, and upon ourselves in particular (Job_42:6; Joh_1:27; 1Co_15:9; Mat_8:8; Gen_32:10).
(3) Let us be content to hear of our sins and baseness by others.
(4) Look to the time to come, what we shall be ere long, earth and dust; and at the day of judgment we must be stripped of all.
(5) Let us set before us the example of our blessed Saviour.
(6) Let us work upon our own souls by reasoning, discoursing, and speaking to our own hearts.
3. The motives to move us to get this humiliation.
(1) Consider the promises that are made to this disposition (Isa_57:15; Jam_4:10). As examples we have Peter, David, Manasseh, Josiah. Every branch of humiliation hath a promise. A humble heart is a vessel of all graces. Humility emptieth the heart for God to fill it. God hath but two heavens to dwell in; the heaven of heavens and the heart of a poor humble man. When a man is humbled he is fit for all good. As all the water that is upon the hills runs into the valleys, so all grace goes to the humble.
(2) All outward actions benefit other men; but this inward action of humbling a mans self makes the soul itself good.
(3) A humble soul is a secure and safe soul.
4. The notes whereby it may be known.
(1) Holy humiliation is voluntary.
(2) It is ever joined with reformation.
(3) Sin must appear bitter to the soul. There is in every renewed soul a secret loathing and hatred of evil, and is expressed--
(a) In a serious purpose and resolution not to offend God in the least kind.
(b) There must be a constant endeavour to avoid the occasions and allurements of sin.
(c) There must be a hatred and loathing of sin in our confessions (Psa_51:4).
(4) True humiliation proceeds from faith. It quakes, at the foresight of judgment, but the wicked never humble themselves but when judgment is upon them.
(5) With true humiliation is joined hope.
(6) Hypocrites are sorrowful for the judgment that is upon them, but not for that which is the cause of judgment, but the child of God is humbled for sin.
(7) True humiliation is a thorough humiliation. It is not like Ephraims morning dew, quickly gone. (R. Sibbes.)
The art of mourning
Rending of clothes was a thing frequently used in old times, and it was a visible representation of the inward sorrow of the heart (Job_1:20; Job_2:12; Act_14:14; Mar_14:63; Isa_37:1). It was frequently used among the heathen also. Observe--
I. That the body and soul must join together in the action of humiliation.
II. That when God will afflict or humble a man, it is not a kingdom that will save him.
III. That tears and mourning for sin, when it comes from inward grief, is a temper well befitting any man.
IV. That it concerns magistrates above all others, to take to heart any danger whatsoever that is upon their people.
V. That it is the duty of every Christian to take to heart the threatening of God against the place and people where he doth live.
VI. That God takes a particular notice and understands the prayers we make unto Him. God hears our prayers, because--
1. He is gracious and merciful.
2. He is our Father.
3. He has promised to do so (Psa_50:15).
4. They are the motions of His own Spirit (Rom_8:26-27).
5. They are offered up in the name of a Mediator.
6. They are made according to His will.
Conclusion: If we would have God hear us, then--
1. Let us hear God as Josiah did.
2. Our prayers must proceed from a broken heart.
3. We must add to them the wings of love, faith, hope and earnestness, as Josiah did here.
4. Let us have such a resolution and purpose of reformation like Josiahs. (R. Sibbes.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 34:27-28 King Josiah did not die in peace; he…
34:27-28 King Josiah did not die in peace; he was killed by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt (35:20-25). However, Josiah was buried in peace, meaning that the city of Jerusalem was at peace and exile did not come during Josiah’s reign. His repentant spirit averted immediate disaster.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.