2 Chronicles 15:13and that whoever would not seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
The setting
Jerusalem, ~895 BC. King Asa declares that spiritual treason equals political treason. Anyone refusing to worship Israel's God will face execution. This is theocracy at its most absolute. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: sobered by recording the harsh reality of covenant faithfulness in ancient Israel
The original word
yumat (יוּמַת) — shall surely be put to death, used for capital punishment in covenant law
Why it matters
This included Asa's own grandmother Maacah, whom he removed from being queen mother for idolatry
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Chronicles 15:13
The phrase 'small or great' means this applied to children too — entire families died for idolatry
Common misconceptionModern readers think this was religious extremism, but in ancient Israel, rejecting Yahweh was equivalent to national treason that threatened everyone's survival.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Chronicles 15:13
Bible Genome reading
2 Chronicles 15:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Chronicles 15:13 comes from the book of 2 Chronicles, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include covenant loyalty, religious reform. Notable phrases: seek Yahweh; put to death. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does 2 Chronicles 15:13 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "deciding"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.