King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 17:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 17:11 in the King James Version says “Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seve...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.”

2 Chronicles 17:11 · KJV

Context

9

And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

10

And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. fell: Heb. was

11

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

12

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. castles: or, palaces

13

And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

Read 2 Chronicles 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Teaching God's law brings blessing and security. 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 · 22 words
וּמִן1 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים2 of 22

“Also some of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

מְבִיאִ֥ים3 of 22

“brought”

H935

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

לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֛ט4 of 22

“Jehoshaphat”

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

מִנְחָ֖ה5 of 22

“presents”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְכֶ֣סֶף6 of 22

“silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

מַשָּׂ֑א7 of 22

“and tribute”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

גַּ֣ם8 of 22
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הָֽעַרְבִיאִ֗ים9 of 22

“and the Arabians”

H6163

an arabian or inhabitant of arab (i.e., arabia)

מְבִיאִ֥ים10 of 22

“brought”

H935

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

לוֹ֙11 of 22
H0
צֹ֕אן12 of 22

“him flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

אֵילִ֔ים13 of 22

“rams”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וּשְׁבַ֥ע14 of 22

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֲלָפִ֖ים15 of 22

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁבַ֥ע16 of 22

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵאֽוֹת׃17 of 22

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּתְיָשִׁ֕ים18 of 22

“he goats”

H8495

a buck or he-goat (as given to butting)

וּשְׁבַ֥ע19 of 22

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֲלָפִ֖ים20 of 22

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁבַ֥ע21 of 22

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵאֽוֹת׃22 of 22

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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 17:11 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 17:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 26:82 Chronicles 9:142 Samuel 8:22 Chronicles 17:52 Kings 3:4

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