King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 11:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 11:14 in the King James Version says “For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:”

2 Chronicles 11:14 · KJV

Context

12

And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

13

And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. resorted: Heb. presented themselves to him

14

For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

15

And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּֽי1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָזְב֣וּ2 of 15

“left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם3 of 15

“For the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

אֶת4 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶם֙5 of 15

“their suburbs”

H4054

a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea

וַֽאֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם6 of 15

“and their possession”

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ7 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה8 of 15

“to Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְלִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם9 of 15

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כִּֽי10 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִזְנִיחָ֤ם11 of 15

“had cast them off”

H2186

reject, forsake, fail

יָֽרָבְעָם֙12 of 15

“for Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

וּבָנָ֔יו13 of 15

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מִכַּהֵ֖ן14 of 15

“from executing the priest's office”

H3547

to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia

לַֽיהוָֽה׃15 of 15

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 11:14 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 2 Chronicles 11:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13:9Numbers 35:2-51 Kings 12:28-331 Kings 13:33Numbers 18:21-28Leviticus 27:30-34

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 11 →

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