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2 Chronicles 12:8

Nevertheless, they will become his servants, so that they may learn the difference between serving Me and serving the kings of other lands.”
2 Chronicles 12:8 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
  • KJV Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
  • NKJV Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.”
  • NASB But they will become his slaves, so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
  • NLT But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Nevertheless, Judah will become Shishak's servants so they may learn the difference between serving God and serving earthly kingdoms. Discipline teaches the worth of God's service.

Overview

Though spared destruction, Judah must endure subjection to Egypt as instructive chastening. By tasting servitude to a pagan power, they would learn how good it is to serve the LORD. This teaches that God's service is freedom and blessing, while bondage to the world is bitter, a lesson fulfilled in Christ, whose yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30).

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 6

  • Deut 28:47–48Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance,
  • Isa 26:13O LORD our God, other lords besides You have had dominion, but Your name alone do we confess.
  • Judg 3:1These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,
  • Hos 8:10Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.
  • Jer 10:24Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice—not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
  • Neh 9:36So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—here we are as slaves!

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (4)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — 2 Chronicles videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on 2 Chronicles 12:8YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on 2 ChroniclesMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.

How 2 Chronicles 12:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.