Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 20:33
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the religious state of Judah following King Jehoshaphat's victory at Jahaz. The text notes that despite the king's righteous conduct, the national reform remained incomplete.
The words — The verb סָרוּ (Sa.ru) literally means "they were removed," describing the high places that remained standing. The verb הֵכִינוּ (he.Khi.nu) translates as "they directed," indicating the people's failure to fix their hearts on the God of their fathers.
The thread — The text parallels 2 Chronicles 17:6 and 2 Chronicles 19:3, where the high places were fully removed and the king set his heart on seeking God. It contrasts with 2 Chronicles 12:14, which states that failing to set one's heart on the LORD results in doing evil.
Why it lands — The text states that outward religious structures can persist even when a ruler acts rightly. It asks the reader to examine whether their own heart is fixed on God or merely tolerating incomplete reform.
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
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
- 2 Chronicles 12:14 And Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.
- 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.”
- 2 Chronicles 14:3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles.
- 2 Chronicles 30:19 who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”