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2 Chronicles 12:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 12:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
2 Chronicles 12:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
6Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, Jehovah is righteous.
7And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
8Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king`s house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
10And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king`s house.
11And it was so, that, as oft as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless, they shall be his servants, etc.] tributaries to the king of Egypt: that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries; the difference between them, how easy the one, which they might perform without taxes and tributes, and how hard and heavy the other, through the exactions and exorbitant demands of those to whom they became subjects. Ver. 9-11. So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, etc.] The Vulgate Latin version is, “departed from Jerusalem,” as he did, having taken it, and spoiled it of its riches, and settled a yearly tax on the inhabitants of the land; of this, and the two following verses, (See Gill on “<111426>1 Kings…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That they may know my service, and the service of the kingdom - i. e., that they may contrast the light burthen of the theocracy with the heavy yoke of a foreign monarch. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“May know - That they may experimentally know the difference between my yoke and the yoke of a foreign and idolatrous prince. 2 Chronicles 12:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Nevertheless: Neh 9:36; Isa 26:13 that they may: Deu 28:47; Jdg 3:1; Jer 10:24; Hos 8:10 2 Chronicles 12:9”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“But (כּי after a negative clause) they shall be his servants, sc. for a short time (see Ch2 12:7), "that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries" (cf. Ch1 29:30); i.e., that they may learn to know by experience the difference between the rule of God and that of the heathen kings, and that God's rule was not so oppressive as that of the rulers of the world. 2 Chronicles 12:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification