King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 12:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 12:5 in the King James Version says “Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem becaus...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.”

2 Chronicles 12:5 · KJV

Context

3

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

4

And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

5

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

6

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.

7

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. some: or, a little while

Read 2 Chronicles 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Divine discipline for unfaithfulness, mercy through humility. 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 · 27 words
וּֽשְׁמַעְיָ֤ה1 of 27

“Shemaiah”

H8098

shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites

הַנָּבִיא֙2 of 27

“the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

בָּ֣א3 of 27

“Then came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רְחַבְעָ֔ם5 of 27

“to Rehoboam”

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

וְשָׂרֵ֣י6 of 27

“and to the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

יְהוּדָ֔ה7 of 27

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אֲשֶׁר8 of 27
H834

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

נֶֽאֶסְפ֥וּ9 of 27

“that were gathered together”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶל10 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם11 of 27

“to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מִפְּנֵ֣י12 of 27

“because”

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

שִׁישָֽׁק׃13 of 27

“of Shishak”

H7895

shishak, an egyptian king

אָמַ֣ר14 of 27

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֜ם15 of 27
H0
כֹּֽה16 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר17 of 27

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה18 of 27

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אַתֶּם֙19 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עָזַ֥בְתִּי20 of 27

“Ye have forsaken”

H5800

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

אֹתִ֔י21 of 27
H853

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

וְאַף22 of 27

“me and therefore have I also”

H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

אֲנִ֛י23 of 27
H589

i

עָזַ֥בְתִּי24 of 27

“Ye have forsaken”

H5800

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם25 of 27
H853

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

בְּיַד26 of 27

“you in the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שִׁישָֽׁק׃27 of 27

“of Shishak”

H7895

shishak, an egyptian king

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 12:5 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 12:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 11:22 Chronicles 15:21 Kings 12:222 Samuel 24:14Jeremiah 23:33Psalms 37:33

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 12 →

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