Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 11:16
Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler narrates the immediate aftermath of Jeroboam’s establishment of rival worship centers in the northern kingdom. The account describes northern Israelites relocating to Jerusalem to align with the Levitical priesthood and the Davidic monarchy.
The words — The phrase הַ/נֹּֽתְנִים לְבָבָ֔/ם (ha./no.te.Nim le.va.Va/m) literally translates to “those who set their heart,” paired with לְ/בַקֵּ֕שׁ (le./va.Kesh) meaning “to seek.” This grammatical construction identifies a specific group whose deliberate orientation drives their physical movement.
The thread — The movement of northern tribes to Jerusalem continues the Deuteronomy 12:5 mandate to seek the place the LORD chooses. The Chronicler notes in 2 Chronicles 11:17 that this migration strengthened Judah and Rehoboam because the returnees walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.
Why it lands — The text records a factual migration of people who physically followed the Levites to Jerusalem for sacrifice. Readers must recognize that the passage describes a historical realignment of worship and loyalty, not a metaphorical or spiritual principle.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 15:9 And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
- Exodus 9:21 but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
- Deuteronomy 12:11 then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 12:13 Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see;
- Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.
- Joshua 22:19 If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God.
- 1 Samuel 7:3 Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;
- 1 Chronicles 22:1 Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”