2 Chronicles 15:9
New International Version
Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

New Living Translation
Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them. For many from Israel had moved to Judah during Asa’s reign when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

English Standard Version
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Berean Standard Bible
And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

King James Bible
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

New King James Version
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to him in great numbers from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

New American Standard Bible
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

NASB 1995
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

NASB 1977
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who sojourned with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.

Amplified Bible
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the strangers who were with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to Asa from Israel in large numbers when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, as well as those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing among them, for they had defected to him from Israel in great numbers when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, as well as those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for they had defected to him from Israel in great numbers when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.

American Standard Version
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that Jehovah his God was with him.

Contemporary English Version
Asa called together the people from Judah and Benjamin, as well as the people from the territories of Ephraim, West Manasseh, and Simeon who were living in Judah. Many of these people were now loyal to Asa, because they had seen that the LORD was with him.

English Revised Version
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Asa gathered all the people from Judah and Benjamin and the foreigners who had come from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon. (Many of them had come to him from Israel when they saw that Asa's God, the LORD, was with him.)

Good News Translation
Many people had come over to Asa's side from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, and were living in his kingdom, because they had seen that the LORD was with him. Asa summoned all of them and the people of Judah and Benjamin.

International Standard Version
Then he gathered together all of Judah, Benjamin, and people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were living among them, since many people had defected to him from Israel when they learned that the LORD his God was with him.

Majority Standard Bible
And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

NET Bible
He assembled all Judah and Benjamin, as well as the settlers from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had come to live with them. Many people from Israel had come there to live when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

New Heart English Bible
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who lived with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they resorted to him out of Israel in multitudes, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

World English Bible
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who lived with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon; for they came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and gathers all Judah and Benjamin, and the sojourners with them out of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and out of Simeon—for they have defected to him from Israel in abundance, in their seeing that his God YHWH [is] with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and gathereth all Judah and Benjamin, and the sojourners with them out of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and out of Simeon -- for they have fallen unto him from Israel in abundance, in their seeing that Jehovah his God is with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will gather all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them from Ephraim and Manasseh and from Simeon: for they fell to him from Israel for multitude in their seeing that Jehovah his God was with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he gathered together all Juda and Benjamin, and the strangers with them of Ephraim, and Manasses, and Simeon: for many were come over to him out of Israel, seeing that the Lord his God was with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he gathered together all of Judah and Benjamin, and with them the new arrivals from Ephraim and Manasseh and Simeon. For many had fled to him from Israel, seeing that the Lord his God was with him.

New American Bible
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, together with those of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were resident with them; for many had defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD, his God, was with him.

New Revised Standard Version
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing as aliens with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the proselytes with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh and out of Simeon; for they gathered together and came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all of the house of Yehuda and the children of Benjamin gathered, and from the towns that he seized in the land of Aphreim, and the proselytes in them from those of the house of Aphreim, and from those of the house of Manassheh, and from those of the house of Shemon, because they were assembled, and multitudes came to him from those of the house of Israel when they saw that LORD JEHOVAH his God was with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he assembled Juda and Benjamin, and the strangers that dwelt with him, of Ephraim, and of Manasse, and of Symeon: for many of Israel were joined to him, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Asa's Reforms
8When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple. 9And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 10So they gathered together in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.…

Cross References
1 Kings 12:17
but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:16-17
Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers. / So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

2 Chronicles 30:11
Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 11:13-14
Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.

1 Kings 12:23
“Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people

2 Chronicles 30:18
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone

2 Chronicles 19:4
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 30:25
Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah.

2 Chronicles 34:33
And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 30:1
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 30:6
At the command of the king, 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.

2 Chronicles 30:10
And the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and mocked them.

2 Chronicles 30:21
The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:1
When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

2 Chronicles 34:6-7
Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. / He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.


Treasury of Scripture

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

the strangers

2 Chronicles 11:16
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 30:1-11,25
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel…

they fell

1 Kings 12:19
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

1 Chronicles 12:19
And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

they saw

Genesis 39:3
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

1 Samuel 18:28
And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

1 Kings 3:28
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

Jump to Previous
Abundance Assembled Benjamin Defected Deserted Ephraim E'phraim Fallen Fell Gathered Gathereth Great Israel Judah Large Manasseh Manas'seh Multitudes Numbers Resided Resorted Settled Simeon Sojourned Sojourners Sojourning Strangers
Jump to Next
Abundance Assembled Benjamin Defected Deserted Ephraim E'phraim Fallen Fell Gathered Gathereth Great Israel Judah Large Manasseh Manas'seh Multitudes Numbers Resided Resorted Settled Simeon Sojourned Sojourners Sojourning Strangers
2 Chronicles 15
1. Asa, with Judah and many of Israel, moved by the prophecy of Azariah,
12. make a solemn covenant with God
16. He puts down Maachah his grandmother for idolatry
18. He brings dedicated things into the house of God, and enjoys a long peace.














And he assembled
The Hebrew root for "assembled" is קָהַל (qahal), which means to gather or convene. This word often signifies a purposeful gathering, not just a casual meeting. In the context of ancient Israel, such assemblies were significant, often marking moments of national importance or spiritual renewal. The act of assembling here indicates a deliberate effort by King Asa to unite the people for a common cause, reflecting a leadership that seeks to bring the community together under God's guidance.

all Judah and Benjamin
Judah and Benjamin were the two tribes that constituted the Southern Kingdom of Judah after the division of Israel. Historically, these tribes were closely linked, with Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center, located within their territory. The mention of these tribes highlights the core of Asa's kingdom, emphasizing the unity and strength found in their shared heritage and faithfulness to God.

along with those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon
Ephraim and Manasseh were tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while Simeon, though geographically part of Judah, often aligned with the north. The inclusion of these tribes signifies a remarkable moment of unity and reconciliation. Historically, the division between the northern and southern tribes was marked by conflict and idolatry. Asa's ability to draw people from these tribes indicates a spiritual revival and a turning back to the worship of the true God, transcending political and tribal boundaries.

who had resided among them
This phrase suggests a movement of people, possibly due to the spiritual decline in the Northern Kingdom. The Hebrew word גּוּר (gur) implies sojourning or dwelling temporarily. These individuals chose to reside in Judah, seeking a place where God's presence was evident. This migration reflects a desire for spiritual renewal and a return to covenant faithfulness, as they sought refuge in a kingdom where God's laws were upheld.

for many had come over to him from Israel
The phrase "come over" indicates a deliberate choice to leave one place for another. This movement was not just physical but spiritual, as people left the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom to join Asa in Judah. It underscores the impact of Asa's reforms and the visible presence of God in his leadership, drawing people who longed for true worship and righteous governance.

when they saw that the LORD his God was with him
This statement is pivotal, as it attributes the migration and assembly to the visible evidence of God's favor upon Asa. The Hebrew word רָאָה (ra'ah) means to see or perceive, suggesting that the people recognized God's active presence and blessing in Asa's reign. This divine endorsement was a powerful testimony, inspiring confidence and faith in those who sought to align themselves with God's chosen leader. It serves as a reminder that true leadership is marked by God's presence, which draws others to His light and truth.

(9) The strangers--i.e., the non-Judaeans; members of the northern kingdom. A similar accession to the southern kingdom had taken place under Rehoboam (2Chronicles 11:16); and another yet is related in the reign of Hezekiah (2Chronicles 30:11; 2Chronicles 30:18).

And out of Simeon.--This tribe is again mentioned along with Ephraim and Manasseh in 2Chronicles 34:6, although its territory lay "within the inheritance of the children of Judah" (Joshua 19:1). Perhaps a portion of the tribe had migrated northward (comp. Judges 18), and some of these now settled again in Judah. Genesis 49:7 speaks of Simeon as "divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel." . . .

Verse 9. - He gathered. As the following verses go on to show, Ass wisely gathered all beneath his sway, with a view to sacrifice and to record anew hallowed resolve as a nation. The strangers. It is a significant comment on the estranging effect of religious schism (for the schism was religious even beyond what it was national) that so comparatively soon these of the tribes of Israel should have become called "strangers" by the side of Judah and Benjamin. They fell to him... in abundance. Another significant comment on the sameness of human nature in all time; the weak and the multitude will see, learn, do duty, less under pure conviction of right, than under the strong commanding influence of observation of where and with whom success goes, even if that success necessitate the owning of the Divine blessing as its cause (2 Chronicles 11:16 and 1 Chronicles 12:19). It should be noted, not for the sake of satire of human nature, but for the inculcation of the infinite importance of godly influence and example. Out of Simeon (see also 2 Chronicles 34:6). The "lines" of the Simeonites fell to them originally (Joshua 19:1) within Judah. The difficulty suggested by their being called, apparently, "strangers," and being certainly classed with the comers from "Ephraim and Manasseh," may be variously overcome, either by supposing that they had become more estranged from Judah in religious position than it was possible to them to have become in merely geographical; or that they had in some degree outgrown their own proper habitat, and had to some extent colonized a more northerly region (Genesis 49:7); or that, though, indeed, our compiler's composition undoubtedly places the Simeonites summoned, among the strangers, through mentioning them after Ephraim and Manasseh, yet this location of their name be held accidental, rather than due to special design.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And he assembled
וַיִּקְבֹּ֗ץ (way·yiq·bōṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Judah
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Benjamin,
וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן (ū·ḇin·yā·min)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

along with those from the tribes of Ephraim,
מֵאֶפְרַ֥יִם (mê·’ep̄·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

Manasseh,
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה (ū·mə·naš·šeh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

and Simeon
וּמִשִּׁמְע֑וֹן (ū·miš·šim·‘ō·wn)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife

who had settled
וְהַגָּרִים֙ (wə·hag·gā·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

among them,
עִמָּהֶ֔ם (‘im·mā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

great numbers
לָרֹ֔ב (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

had come over
נָפְל֨וּ (nā·p̄ə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to him
עָלָ֤יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

from Israel
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל֙ (mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

when they saw
בִּרְאֹתָ֕ם (bir·’ō·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God
אֱלֹהָ֖יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

was with him.
עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 15:9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 15:8
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