King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 5:25 Mean?

1 Chronicles 5:25 in the King James Version says “And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, who...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.”

1 Chronicles 5:25 · KJV

Context

23

And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

24

And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers. famous: Heb. men of names

25

And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.

26

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

Read 1 Chronicles 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They transgressed (מָעֲלוּ ma'alu) uses the same Hebrew root as the trespass offering, signifying covenant violation at the deepest level—not mere sin but betrayal of relationship. Went a whoring after (וַיִּזְנוּ אַחֲרֵי vayyiznu acharei) employs the graphic metaphor of prostitution, portraying idolatry as spiritual adultery against Yahweh the covenant Husband (cf. Hosea's marriage).

The irony is devastating: they pursued the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them—worshiping the deities of conquered nations whose impotence had been demonstrated through Israel's conquest. The trans-Jordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh) who had received their inheritance first now forfeit it first through apostasy, foreshadowing their exile by Assyria (v. 26).

The Chronicler emphasizes the God of their fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם)—covenant continuity from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—highlighting that their sin wasn't ignorance but willful rejection of known grace. This pattern of prosperity leading to apostasy (Deuteronomy 8:11-20) haunts Israel's history and warns against the prosperity gospel's dangers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written after Babylonian exile (c. 450-400 BC) to returned Israelites rebuilding Jerusalem, this warning about the trans-Jordanian tribes had prophetic fulfillment. These tribes fell first to Assyrian conquest (732 BC under Tiglath-Pileser III), a century before Judah's exile. The Chronicler uses their apostasy to explain why they were the first to lose their inheritance—a cautionary tale for post-exilic Judah facing similar temptations to syncretism with Persian and Samaritan religious practices.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does prosperity sometimes lead you to 'forget' God's past faithfulness, and what spiritual disciplines guard against this pattern?
  2. In what ways might modern Christians pursue the 'gods of the people' whose emptiness God has already demonstrated?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיִּֽמְעֲל֔וּ1 of 12

“And they transgressed”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

אֱלֹהִ֖ים2 of 12

“against the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתֵיהֶ֑ם3 of 12

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיִּזְנ֗וּ4 of 12

“and went a whoring”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אַֽחֲרֵי֙5 of 12

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֖ים6 of 12

“against the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עַמֵּי7 of 12

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֔רֶץ8 of 12

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר9 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִשְׁמִ֥יד10 of 12

“destroyed”

H8045

to desolate

אֱלֹהִ֖ים11 of 12

“against the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 12

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 5:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 5:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 1:2Exodus 34:15Psalms 106:34-39Revelation 17:52 Kings 17:7-18Deuteronomy 32:15-18

Test Your Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Chronicles 5 with CommentaryAll 1 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 1 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes