King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:33 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:33 in the King James Version says “And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. at a venture: Heb. in his simplicity between: Heb. between the joints and between the breastplate wounded: Heb. made sick”

2 Chronicles 18:33 · KJV

Context

31

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

32

For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him. from: Heb. from after him

33

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. at a venture: Heb. in his simplicity between: Heb. between the joints and between the breastplate wounded: Heb. made sick

34

And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Danger of ungodly partnerships despite personal faithfulness. 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 · 21 words
וְאִ֗ישׁ1 of 21

“man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מָשַׁ֤ךְ2 of 21

“And a certain man drew”

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

בַּקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙3 of 21

“a bow”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

לְתֻמּ֔וֹ4 of 21

“at a venture”

H8537

completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence

וַיַּךְ֙5 of 21

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 21

“the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בֵּ֥ין9 of 21
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַדְּבָקִ֖ים10 of 21

“between the joints”

H1694

a joint; by implication, solder

וּבֵ֣ין11 of 21
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַשִּׁרְיָ֑ן12 of 21

“of the harness”

H8302

a corslet (as if twisted)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר13 of 21

“therefore he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָֽרַכָּ֗ב14 of 21

“to his chariot”

H7395

a charioteer

הֲפֹ֧ךְ15 of 21

“Turn”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

יָדְיךָ֛16 of 21

“thine 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

וְהֽוֹצֵאתַ֥נִי17 of 21

“that thou mayest carry me out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן18 of 21
H4480

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

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה19 of 21

“of the host”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

כִּ֥י20 of 21
H3588

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

הָֽחֳלֵֽיתִי׃21 of 21

“for I am wounded”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

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 18:33 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 18:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 35:231 Kings 22:34-352 Samuel 15:11

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