King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 17:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 17:5 in the King James Version says “Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. brought: Heb. gave”

2 Chronicles 17:5 · KJV

Context

3

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; of: or, of his father, and of David

4

But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5

Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. brought: Heb. gave

6

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. was: that is, was encouraged

7

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

Read 2 Chronicles 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

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 · 15 words
וַיָּ֨כֶן1 of 15

“stablished”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 15

“Therefore the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת3 of 15
H853

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

הַמַּמְלָכָה֙4 of 15

“the kingdom”

H4467

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

בְּיָד֔וֹ5 of 15

“in his 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

וַיִּתְּנ֧וּ6 of 15

“brought”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כָל7 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָ֛ה8 of 15

“and all Judah”

H3063

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

מִנְחָ֖ה9 of 15

“presents”

H4503

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

לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט10 of 15

“to Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

וַיְהִי11 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֥וֹ12 of 15
H0
עֹֽשֶׁר13 of 15

“and he had riches”

H6239

wealth

וְכָב֖וֹד14 of 15

“and honour”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

לָרֹֽב׃15 of 15

“in abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

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 17:5 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 17:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 18:1Matthew 6:33Psalms 127:1Matthew 2:11Job 42:121 Samuel 10:27

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