2 Chronicles 20:33
New International Version
The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

New Living Translation
During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.

English Standard Version
The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.

Berean Standard Bible
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

King James Bible
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

New King James Version
Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

New American Standard Bible
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

NASB 1995
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

NASB 1977
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Legacy Standard Bible
The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Amplified Bible
Only the high places [for pagan sacrifices] were not removed, for the people had not yet set their hearts firmly on the God of their fathers.

Christian Standard Bible
However, the high places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, the high places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

American Standard Version
Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

Contemporary English Version
but he did not destroy the local shrines. So the people still worshiped foreign gods, instead of faithfully serving the God their ancestors had worshiped.

English Revised Version
Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still didn't have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors.

Good News Translation
but the pagan places of worship were not destroyed. The people still did not turn wholeheartedly to the worship of the God of their ancestors.

International Standard Version
However, the high places were not removed, since the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their ancestors.

Majority Standard Bible
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

NET Bible
However, the high places were not eliminated; the people were still not devoted to the God of their ancestors.

New Heart English Bible
However the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers.

World English Bible
However the high places were not taken away, and the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Only, the high places have not been removed, and still the people have not prepared their heart for the God of their fathers.

Young's Literal Translation
Only, the high places have not turned aside, and still the people have not prepared their heart for the God of their fathers.

Smith's Literal Translation
Only the heights were not removed: and yet the people prepared not their heart to the God of their fathers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But yet he took not away the high places, and the people had not yet turned their heart to the Lord the God of their fathers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, he did not take away the high places, and the people still had not directed their heart to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

New American Bible
Nevertheless, the high places did not disappear and the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

New Revised Standard Version
Yet the high places were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their ancestors.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
However the shrines on the high places were not removed; for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Only the high places he did not remove until now, and the people did not prepare their heart for the God of their fathers.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
nevertheless the high places yet remained; and as yet the people did not direct their heart to the Lord God of their fathers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Summary of Jehoshaphat's Reign
32And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. 33The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers. 34As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.…

Cross References
1 Kings 22:43
And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

2 Kings 12:3
Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

2 Kings 14:4
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

2 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

2 Kings 15:35
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 15:14
The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days.

2 Chronicles 15:17
The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days.

2 Chronicles 17:6
And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

2 Chronicles 21:11
Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.

2 Chronicles 24:18
They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and idols. So wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.

2 Chronicles 33:17
Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Mark 7:6-7
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’


Treasury of Scripture

However, the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers.

the high places

2 Chronicles 14:3
For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

2 Chronicles 17:6
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

had not

2 Chronicles 12:14
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 19:3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

2 Chronicles 30:19
That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

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Directed Fathers Heart Hearts High Howbeit However Places Prepared Removed True. Turned
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Directed Fathers Heart Hearts High Howbeit However Places Prepared Removed True. Turned
2 Chronicles 20
1. Jehoshaphat, invaded by Moab, proclaims a fast
5. His prayer
14. The prophecy of Jahaziel
20. Jehoshaphat exhorts the people, and sets singers to praise the Lord
22. The great overthrow of his enemies
26. The people, having blessed God at Berachah, return in triumph
31. Jehoshaphat's reign
35. His convoy of ships, according to the prophecy of Eliezer, unhappily perishes.














The high places
In the Hebrew text, the term for "high places" is "בָּמוֹת" (bamot). These were elevated sites often used for worship, sometimes of Yahweh, but frequently for pagan deities. Archaeologically, these sites have been found throughout ancient Israel, often featuring altars and standing stones. The persistence of these high places indicates a syncretism in Israelite worship, where the people struggled to fully commit to the worship of Yahweh alone, despite the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are called to exclusive worship of God but often fall into the practices of surrounding nations.

however, were not removed
The Hebrew word for "removed" is "סָרוּ" (saru), meaning to turn aside or depart. This phrase highlights a failure in the religious reforms of the time. Despite efforts by righteous kings like Jehoshaphat to lead the people back to God, the incomplete removal of these high places signifies a partial obedience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thoroughness in spiritual reformation and the dangers of leaving remnants of idolatry in one's life.

the people had not yet set their hearts
The phrase "set their hearts" comes from the Hebrew "נָכוֹן לֵבָם" (nachon libam), which implies establishing or preparing one's heart. This suggests a deliberate and intentional commitment to God, which the people had not yet achieved. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of will and emotion, and setting one's heart on God involves a deep, personal dedication that goes beyond mere external compliance. This phrase challenges believers to examine the depth of their own commitment to God.

on the God of their fathers
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of faith from one generation to the next. "The God of their fathers" refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores the importance of remembering and adhering to the faith and promises given to the patriarchs. Historically, this reflects the struggle of the Israelites to maintain their distinct identity and faith amidst the influences of surrounding cultures. For contemporary believers, it serves as a call to uphold the faith traditions passed down through generations, ensuring that the worship of God remains pure and undiluted by external influences.

(33) For . . . hearts.--And the people had not yet directed their heart. This language is the chronicler's own (see 2Chronicles 12:14; 2Chronicles 19:3), and is substituted for the statement, "The people were still wont to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places" (Kings). They had not yet accepted the principle of the one Temple.

(33) Howbeit the high places were not taken away.--This is no contradiction of 2Chronicles 17:6, "And further (or again), he took away the high places." There the holy places of heathenism, here those of the illegal worship of Jehovah, appear to be meant.

Verse 33. - Howbeit the high places... the people had not prepared. The statements so precisely made in this verse evidently serve the purpose of distinguishing between the wishes and orders of the king and the unequal conduct of his people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The high places,
הַבָּמ֖וֹת (hab·bā·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116: An elevation

however,
אַ֥ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

were not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

removed;
סָ֑רוּ (sā·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

the people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

had not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

yet
וְע֤וֹד (wə·‘ō·wḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

set
הֵכִ֣ינוּ (hê·ḵî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect

their hearts
לְבָבָ֔ם (lə·ḇā·ḇām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

on the God
לֵאלֹהֵ֖י (lê·lō·hê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of their fathers.
אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:33 However the high places were not taken (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 20:32
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