King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 16:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 16:14 in the King James Version says “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed w...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him. had made: Heb. had digged”

2 Chronicles 16:14 · KJV

Context

12

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

13

And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14

And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him. had made: Heb. had digged

Read 2 Chronicles 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Human alliances replacing trust in God. 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 · 22 words
וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֣הוּ1 of 22

“And they buried”

H6912

to inter

בְקִבְרֹתָ֗יו2 of 22

“him in his own sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 22
H834

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

כָּֽרָה4 of 22

“which he had made”

H3738

properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open

לוֹ֮5 of 22
H0
בְּעִ֣יר6 of 22

“for himself in the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִיד֒7 of 22

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיַּשְׁכִּיבֻ֗הוּ8 of 22

“and laid”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

בַּמִּשְׁכָּב֙9 of 22

“him in the bed”

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

אֲשֶׁ֤ר10 of 22
H834

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

מִלֵּא֙11 of 22

“which was filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

בְּשָׂמִ֣ים12 of 22

“with sweet odours”

H1314

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

וּזְנִ֔ים13 of 22

“and divers kinds”

H2177

properly, nourished (or fully developed), i.e., a form or sort

בְּמִרְקַ֣חַת14 of 22

“by the apothecaries”

H4842

an aromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot

בְּמִרְקַ֣חַת15 of 22

“by the apothecaries”

H4842

an aromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot

מַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה16 of 22

“art”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ17 of 22

“and they made”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

ל֥וֹ18 of 22
H0
שְׂרֵפָ֖ה19 of 22

“burning”

H8316

cremation

גְּדוֹלָ֥ה20 of 22

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַד21 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לִמְאֹֽד׃22 of 22

“a very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

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 16:14 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 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 50:22 Chronicles 21:19Jeremiah 34:5Mark 16:1Ecclesiastes 10:1John 19:39-42

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 16 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 16 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes