What does 2 Chronicles 21:13 mean?
"But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:" - 2 Chronicles 21:13
The verse 2 Chronicles 21:13 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself."
This verse is part of a passage in the second book of Chronicles that discusses the reign of King Jehoram, the son of King Jehoshaphat. The context of this verse is important in understanding its meaning and significance in the broader narrative of the Bible.
Throughout the Old Testament, the concept of faithfulness and obedience to God is a central theme. In this verse, the focus is on the sinful actions of King Jehoram, who is criticized for following the evil ways of the kings of Israel and leading his people into idolatry and immorality. The verse uses strong language to condemn Jehoram's actions, comparing them to the "whoredoms of the house of Ahab," a reference to the wickedness and idolatry associated with the reign of King Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel.
The verse also accuses Jehoram of fratricide, or the killing of his own brothers. This act of violence further demonstrates his disregard for the values of justice and brotherhood that were central to the teachings of the Old Testament. By slaying his own kin, Jehoram betrays the fundamental principles of love and loyalty that are foundational to the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Symbolism plays an important role in this verse, as the language used conveys more than just literal actions. The image of "whoring" is a common metaphor in the Bible for idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. By likening the actions of Jehoram and his people to this metaphor, the verse highlights the severity of their sin and the extent of their departure from God's ways. The reference to the "house of Ahab" also serves as a symbol of wickedness and corruption, invoking the memory of a king and queen known for their opposition to God and His prophets.
In a broader sense, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness. The downfall of King Jehoram and the suffering of his people are presented as a direct result of their sinful behavior. This theme of divine retribution is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, emphasizing the idea that actions have consequences and that faithfulness to God is paramount for individuals and nations alike.
Ultimately, this verse offers a powerful message about the importance of remaining steadfast in one's devotion to God and upholding His commandments. By condemning the actions of King Jehoram and highlighting the destructive nature of his choices, the verse serves as a call to repentance and a warning against the allure of worldly temptations. It reminds readers of the Old Testament of the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness and the necessity of seeking forgiveness and restoration through genuine repentance.
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2 Chronicles 21:13 Artwork
2 Chronicles 21:13 - "But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:"
"But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:" - 2 Chronicles 21:13
2 Chronicles 13:21 - "¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters."
Habakkuk 2:1-3
2 Chronicles 21:9
2 Chronicles 20:21
"¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters." - 2 Chronicles 13:21
2 Chronicles 6:13
2 chronicles 13:12
2 Chronicles 4:21 - "And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;"
2 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease."
2 Chronicles 2:13 - "And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,"
2 Chronicles 13:13 - "¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them."
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Chronicles 24:21 - "And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
2 Chronicles 23:21 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword."
2 Chronicles 21:8 - "¶ In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king."
2 Chronicles 21:2 - "And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
2 Chronicles 21:16 - "¶ Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:"
2 Chronicles 20:13 - "And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children."
2 Chronicles 13:16 - "And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand."
1 Chronicles 2:13 - "¶ And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 33:21 - "¶ Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 13:1 - "Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah."
2 Chronicles 10:13 - "And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,"
2 Chronicles 16:13 - "¶ And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign."
2 Chronicles 11:13 - "¶ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts."