King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:8 in the King James Version says “And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.”

2 Chronicles 13:8 · KJV

Context

6

Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.

7

And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted , and could not withstand them.

8

And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

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:

Read 2 Chronicles 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 21 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה׀1 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַתֶּ֣ם2 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽמְרִ֗ים3 of 21

“And now ye think”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְהִתְחַזֵּק֙4 of 21

“to withstand”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

לִפְנֵי֙5 of 21

“the kingdom”

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

מַמְלֶ֣כֶת6 of 21
H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּיַ֖ד8 of 21

“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

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 21

“of the 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

דָוִ֑יד10 of 21

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְאַתֶּם֙11 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הָמ֣וֹן12 of 21

“multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

רָ֔ב13 of 21

“and ye be a great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְעִמָּכֶם֙14 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

עֶגְלֵ֣י15 of 21

“calves”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

זָהָ֔ב16 of 21

“and there are with you golden”

H2091

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 21
H834

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

עָשָׂ֥ה18 of 21

“made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶ֛ם19 of 21
H0
יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם20 of 21

“which Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃21 of 21

“you for gods”

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

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 13:8 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 13:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 12:282 Chronicles 11:15Isaiah 9:6-71 Kings 14:9Luke 19:14Hosea 8:5-6

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 13 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes