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Monday, July 28th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Easy-to-Read Version

2 Chronicles 30:6

So the messengers took the king's letters all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said: "Children of Israel, turn back to the Lord , the God who Abraham, Isaac, and Israel obeyed. Then God will come back to you who are still alive and have escaped from the kings of Assyria.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Backsliders;   Derision;   Infidelity;   Liberality;   Month;   Post;   Proclamation;   Repentance;   Scoffing;   Thompson Chain Reference - Awakenings and Religious Reforms;   Awakenings, Religious;   Missionaries;   Missions, World-Wide;   Penitence-Impenitence;   Posts;   Repentance;   Sorrow;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Backsliding;   Scorning and Mocking;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Letters;   Passover;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Hezekiah;   Nahum;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Chronicles, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Post;   Writing;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ahimaaz;   Epistle;   Guard;   Hezekiah;   Judah, Kingdom of;   Manasseh (2);   Post;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Letter;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread;   Post;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Fathers;   Jacob;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Posts,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Hezekiah;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sama'ria, Country of;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Pentateuch;   Post;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Epistle;   Hezekiah (2);   Post;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Patriarchs, the;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king’s command, saying, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that he may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.
Hebrew Names Version
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Yisra'el and Yehudah, and according to the mitzvah of the king, saying, You children of Yisra'el, turn again to the LORD, the God of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yisra'el, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Ashshur.
King James Version
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
English Standard Version
So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, "O people of Israel, return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
New Century Version
At the king's command, the messengers took letters from him and his officers all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said: People of Israel, return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then God will return to you who are still alive, who have escaped from the kings of Assyria.
New English Translation
Messengers delivered the letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. This royal edict read: "O Israelites, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so he may return to you who have been spared from the kings of Assyria.
Amplified Bible
So the runners went throughout Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his officials, in accordance with the command of the king, saying, "O sons (descendants) of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), so that He will return to those of you who escaped and are left from the hand (power) of the kings of Assyria.
New American Standard Bible
The couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king, saying, "Sons of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and are left from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
World English Bible
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, You children of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Geneva Bible (1587)
So the postes went with letters by the commission of the King, and his princes, thorowout all Israel and Iudah, and with the commaundement of the King, saying, Ye children of Israel, turne againe vnto the Lorde God of Abraham, Izhak, and Israel, and he will returne to the remnant that are escaped of you, out of ye hands of the Kings of Asshur.
Legacy Standard Bible
And the couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the commandment of the king, saying, "O sons of Israel, return to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and remain from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Berean Standard Bible
So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, which read: "Children of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.
Contemporary English Version
Hezekiah's messengers went everywhere in Israel and Judah with the following letter: People of Israel, now that you have survived the invasion of the Assyrian kings, it's time for you to turn back to the Lord God our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob worshiped. If you do this, he will stop being angry.
Complete Jewish Bible
So runners went with the letters from the king and his officers throughout all Isra'el and Y'hudah. They conveyed the king's order: "People of Isra'el! Turn back to Adonai , the God of Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya‘akov! Then he will return to those of you who remain, who escaped capture by the kings of Ashur.
Darby Translation
And the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, return to Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
George Lamsa Translation
So the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and by the command of the king, saying, O you children of Israel, turn again to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hands of the king of Assyria.
Good News Translation
Messengers went out at the command of the king and his officials through all Judah and Israel with the following invitation: "People of Israel, you have survived the Assyrian conquest of the land. Now return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he will return to you.
Lexham English Bible
And the runners went with the letter from the hand of the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah according to the command of the king, saying, "O sons of Israel, return to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Literal Translation
And the runners went with letters from the king's hand, and his leaders, to all Israel and Judah; even by the king's command, saying, O sons of Israel return to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac,and Israel. And He shall return to the remnantleft of you from the hand of the king of Assyria.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the postes wente with the letters from the hande of the kynge and of his rulers thorow out all Israell and Iuda, at ye kynges commaundement, and sayde: Ye children of Israel, turne you vnto the LORDE God of Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and he shal turne to ye escaped, which are lefte ouer amonge you from the hande of the kynge of Assur:
American Standard Version
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Bible in Basic English
So runners went with letters from the king and his chiefs through all Israel and Judah, by the order of the king, saying, O children of Israel, come back again to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may come again to that small band of you which has been kept safe out of the hands of the kings of Assyria.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
So the postes went with letters of the king and of his lordes throughout all Israel & Iuda, and at the commaundement of the king they sayde: Ye children of Israel, turne againe vnto the Lorde God of Abraham, Isahac, and Israel, and he wyll returne to the remnaunt that are escaped of you out of the hande of the kinges of the Assyrians.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying: 'Ye children of Israel, turn back unto the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
King James Version (1611)
So the Postes went with the letters from the King and his Princes, throughout all Israel and Iudah, and according to the commandement of the king, saying; Yee children of Israel, turne againe vnto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and hee wil returne to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the posts went with the letters from the king and the princes to all Israel and Juda, according to the command of the king, saying, Children of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraam, and Isaac, and Israel, and bring back them that have escaped even those that were left of the hand of the king of Assyria.
English Revised Version
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And corouris yeden forth with pistlis, bi comaundement of the kyng and of hise princis, in to al Israel and Juda, and prechiden bi that, that the kyng hadde comaundid, Sones of Israel, turne ye ayen to the Lord God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel; and he schal turne ayen to the residue men, that ascapiden the hondis of the kyng of Assiriens.
Update Bible Version
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, You sons of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Webster's Bible Translation
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you that have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
New King James Version
Then the runners went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, and spoke according to the command of the king: "Children of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
New Living Translation
At the king's command, runners were sent throughout Israel and Judah. They carried letters that said: "O people of Israel, return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he will return to the few of us who have survived the conquest of the Assyrian kings.
New Life Bible
Men were sent through all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his rulers, as the king had told them. The letters said, "O sons of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He may return to those of you who have not been taken away by the kings of Assyria.
New Revised Standard
So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, as the king had commanded, saying, "O people of Israel, return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The runners, therefore, went with letters from the hand of the king and his rulers, throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, - Ye sons of Israel, return ye unto Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and he will return unto the remnant, that which is left to you, out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the posts went with letters by commandment of the king, and his princes, to all Israel and Juda, proclaiming according to the king’s orders: Ye children of Israel, turn again to the Lord the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel: and he will return to the remnant of you that have escaped the hand of the king of the Assyrians.
Revised Standard Version
So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, "O people of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Young's Literal Translation
And the runners go with letters from the hand of the king and his heads, into all Israel and Judah, even according to the command of the king, saying, `O sons of Israel, turn back unto Jehovah, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and He doth turn back unto the escaped part that is left of you from the hand of the kings of Asshur;
THE MESSAGE
The king gave the orders, and the couriers delivered the invitations from the king and his leaders throughout Israel and Judah. The invitation read: "O Israelites! Come back to God , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he can return to you who have survived the predations of the kings of Assyria. Don't repeat the sins of your ancestors who turned their backs on God , the God of their ancestors who then brought them to ruin—you can see the ruins all around you. Don't be pigheaded as your ancestors were. Clasp God 's outstretched hand. Come to his Temple of holy worship, consecrated for all time. Serve God , your God. You'll no longer be in danger of his hot anger. If you come back to God , your captive relatives and children will be treated compassionately and allowed to come home. Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you—come back and he'll welcome you with open arms."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king, saying, "O sons of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and are left from the hand of the kings of Assyria.

Contextual Overview

1 King Hezekiah sent messages to all the people of Israel and Judah. He wrote letters to the people of Ephraim and Manasseh also. He invited all these people to come to the Lord 's Temple in Jerusalem so that they all could celebrate the Passover for the Lord , the God of Israel. 2 King Hezekiah agreed with all his officials and all the assembly in Jerusalem to have the Passover in the second month. 3 They could not celebrate the Passover Festival at the regular time, because not enough priests had made themselves ready for holy service and the people had not gathered in Jerusalem. 4 The agreement satisfied King Hezekiah and all the assembly. 5 So they sent the announcement throughout Israel, from the town of Beersheba all the way to the town of Dan. They told the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the Lord , the God of Israel. Not many people had been celebrating it as it was described in the law. 6 So the messengers took the king's letters all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said: "Children of Israel, turn back to the Lord , the God who Abraham, Isaac, and Israel obeyed. Then God will come back to you who are still alive and have escaped from the kings of Assyria. 7 Don't be like your fathers or your brothers. The Lord was their God, but they turned against him. So he made people hate them and speak evil about them. You can see with your own eyes that this is true. 8 Don't be stubborn as your ancestors were. But obey the Lord with a willing heart. Come to the Temple that he has made to be holy forever. Serve the Lord your God. Then his fearful anger will turn away from you. 9 If you come back and obey the Lord , your relatives and your children will find mercy from the people who captured them. And your relatives and your children will come back to this land. The Lord your God is kind and merciful. He will not turn away from you if you come back to him." 10 The messengers went to every town in the area of Ephraim and Manasseh. They went all the way to the area of Zebulun, but the people laughed at the messengers and made fun of them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the posts went: Ratzim, "runners," or couriers, of the same kind as the running footmen, who were formerly, before the establishment of posts, and still are in some places, trained, and kept on purpose to convey dispatches speedily by running. Job 9:25, Esther 8:14, Jeremiah 51:31

the king: Heb. the hand of the king

turn again: Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 4:1, Lamentations 5:21, Ezekiel 33:11, Hosea 14:1, Joel 2:12-14, James 4:8

and he will: Isaiah 6:13

escaped: 2 Chronicles 28:20, 2 Kings 15:19, 2 Kings 15:29, 1 Chronicles 5:26, Isaiah 1:9

Reciprocal: Judges 6:35 - messengers 2 Kings 23:19 - the cities 2 Chronicles 30:10 - the posts Esther 3:13 - by posts Esther 8:10 - by posts Isaiah 28:1 - whose Jeremiah 3:7 - Turn thou Lamentations 3:40 - turn Zechariah 1:3 - Turn

Cross-References

Genesis 30:14
During the wheat harvest Reuben went into the fields and found some special flowers. He brought them to his mother Leah. But Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's flowers."
Genesis 30:16
Jacob came in from the fields that night. Leah saw him and went out to meet him. She said, "You will sleep with me tonight. I have paid for you with my son's flowers." So Jacob slept with Leah that night.
Genesis 30:17
Then God allowed Leah to become pregnant again. She gave birth to a fifth son.
Genesis 30:20
She said, "God has given me a fine gift. Now surely Jacob will accept me, because I have given him six sons." So she named this son Zebulun.
Genesis 30:32
But let me go through all your flocks today and take every lamb with spots or stripes. Let me take every black young goat and every female goat with stripes or spots. That will be my pay.
Genesis 30:35
But that day Laban hid all the male goats that had spots. And he hid all the female goats that had spots on them. He also hid all the black sheep. Laban told his sons to watch these sheep.
Genesis 35:25
His sons by Bilhah, Rachel's maid, were Dan and Naphtali.
Genesis 46:23
Dan's son was Hushim.
Deuteronomy 33:22
Moses said this about Dan: "Dan is a lion's cub that jumps out from Bashan."
Psalms 35:24
Lord my God, judge me with your fairness. Don't let those people laugh at me.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah,.... Both through the kingdoms of the ten tribes of Israel, and the kingdom of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin:

and according to the commandment of the king, saying; so they were ordered by the king to say, when they delivered the letters which by the king's commandment they carried; or this was the purport of them, as follows, especially of those that were sent to the ten tribes:

ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; from whom they had revolted, and from whose worship they had departed, by setting up and serving the calves at Dan and Bethel:

and he will return to the remnant of you that are escaped out of the hand of the king of Assyria; Pul and Tiglathpileser, who had both invaded their land, and the latter had taken many of their cities, and carried the inhabitants captive, 2 Kings 15:19.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The posts went - The bearers of the letters were probably the “runners” who formed a portion of the king’s body-guard (2 Kings 10:25 note).

The kings of Assyria - Pul, Tiglath-pileser, and Shalmaneser may all be referred to in this passage (compare the marginal reference and 2 Kings 17:3). The passage by no means implies that the fall of Samaria and final captivity of the Israelites had as yet taken place.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Chronicles 30:6. So the posts went — רצים ratsim, the runners or couriers; persons who were usually employed to carry messages; men who were light of foot, and confidential.


 
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