2 Chronicles 20:33 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite Jehoshaphat's personal righteousness, unauthorized worship sites ('high places') remained because the people's hearts were not fully committed to God.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 20:33
A candid assessment: external righteousness cannot override the people's internal spiritual resistance.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:33 Mean?
This verse introduces a realistic limitation to Jehoshaphat's reforms. The 'high places' were hilltop shrines used for both legitimate and illegitimate worship. Their persistence despite Jehoshaphat's authority indicates that external reform has limits when internal spiritual commitment is incomplete. The phrase 'the people had not prepared their hearts' diagnoses the real issue—external compliance without heartfelt devotion.
This note reminds us that even the most faithful leaders cannot force genuine spiritual transformation. Jehoshaphat's prayer, faithfulness, and victories could inspire and teach, but each person's heart must choose to turn toward God. The high places remain not because of Jehoshaphat's failure but because mass spiritual transformation requires generational commitment.
2 Chronicles 20:33 in the Original Language
'High places' (bamot; בָּמוֹת) were elevations used for worship; their persistence reflects incomplete national repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 20:33
What does 2 Chronicles 20:33 mean?
Despite Jehoshaphat's personal righteousness, unauthorized worship sites ('high places') remained because the people's hearts were not fully committed to God.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 20:33?
A candid assessment: external righteousness cannot override the people's internal spiritual resistance.