The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Chronicles 12:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when the Lord saw that they were humbled, the word of the Lord came to Semeias, saying: Because they are humbled, I will not destroy them, and I will give them a little help, and my wrath shall not fall upon Jerusalem by the hand of Sesac.

Douay-Rheims

וּבִרְא֤וֹת יְהוָה֙ כִּ֣י נִכְנָ֔עוּ הָיָה֩ דְבַר־יְהוָ֨ה אֶל־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר נִכְנְע֖וּ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִיתֵ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֨י לָהֶ֤ם כִּמְעַט֙ לִפְלֵיטָ֔ה וְלֹא־תִתַּ֧ךְ חֲמָתִ֛י בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בְּיַד־שִׁישָֽׁק׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

The Lord, who is full of love for humanity, chose to hand over the unrighteous Rehoboam to Susakim. Nevertheless, through the prophet Shemaiah, He communicated to Rehoboam and his leaders, “You abandon me, and I will abandon you into the hands of Susakim” (2 Chronicles 12:5). Upon witnessing their shame and acknowledgment of their sins, He instructed the prophet: “I will show mercy, I will not bring destruction upon them, and I will provide them with a small measure of salvation.” This indicates His intention to preserve within them the essence of the universe's blessing.

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His wrath will not fully turn away from Jerusalem through Susakim, meaning He will not allow them to face ultimate ruin at this time, but will defer their judgment until the appointed time, while currently placing a burden of servitude upon them.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.