King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:11 in the King James Version says “And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set t... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

2 Chronicles 13:11 · KJV


Context

9

Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods. to consecrate: Heb. to fill his hand

10

But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

11

And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

12

And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

13

But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Covenant faithfulness brings victory despite odds. 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 · 30 words
וּמַקְטִרִ֣ים1 of 30

And they burn

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

עֹל֣וֹת3 of 30

burnt sacrifices

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

בַּבֹּ֣קֶר4 of 30

every morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

בַּבֹּ֣קֶר5 of 30

every morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

בָּעֶ֔רֶב6 of 30

and every evening

H6153

dusk

בָּעֶ֔רֶב7 of 30

and every evening

H6153

dusk

וּקְטֹֽרֶת8 of 30

incense

H7004

a fumigation

סַמִּים֩9 of 30

and sweet

H5561

an aroma

וּמַֽעֲרֶ֨כֶת10 of 30
H4635

an arrangement, i.e., (concretely) a pile (of loaves)

לֶ֜חֶם11 of 30

the shewbread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

עַל12 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַשֻּׁלְחָ֣ן13 of 30

table

H7979

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

הַטָּה֗וֹר14 of 30

also set they in order upon the pure

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

וּמְנוֹרַ֨ת15 of 30

and the candlestick

H4501

a chandelier

הַזָּהָ֤ב16 of 30

of gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְנֵֽרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙17 of 30

with the lamps

H5216

a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)

לְבָעֵר֙18 of 30

thereof to burn

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

בָּעֶ֔רֶב19 of 30

and every evening

H6153

dusk

בָּעֶ֔רֶב20 of 30

and every evening

H6153

dusk

כִּֽי21 of 30
H3588

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

שֹׁמְרִ֣ים22 of 30

for we keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֲנַ֔חְנוּ23 of 30
H587

we

אֶת24 of 30
H853

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

מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת25 of 30

the charge

H4931

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

יְהוָ֣ה26 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ27 of 30

our 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

וְאַתֶּ֖ם28 of 30
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֲזַבְתֶּ֥ם29 of 30

but ye have forsaken

H5800

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

אֹתֽוֹ׃30 of 30
H853

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


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 13:11 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 13:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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