King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 21:13 in the King James Version says “But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring,...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:”

2 Chronicles 21:13 · King James Version

Context

11

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

12

And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

13

But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:

14

Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: a great: Heb. a great stroke

15

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

Read 2 Chronicles 21 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Complete apostasy bringing divine judgment. 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?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ1 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּדֶ֙רֶךְ֙2 of 21

“in the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

מַלְכֵ֣י3 of 21

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כְּהַזְנ֖וֹת5 of 21

“like to the whoredoms”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

יְהוּדָה֙7 of 21

“and hast made Judah”

H3063

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

וְאֶת8 of 21
H853

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י9 of 21

“and the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם10 of 21

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כְּהַזְנ֖וֹת11 of 21

“like to the whoredoms”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

בֵית12 of 21

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אַחְאָ֑ב13 of 21

“of Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

וְגַ֨ם14 of 21
H1571

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

אֶת15 of 21
H853

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

אַחֶ֧יךָ16 of 21

“thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

בֵית17 of 21

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִ֛יךָ18 of 21

“of thy father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַטּוֹבִ֥ים19 of 21

“which were better”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

מִמְּךָ֖20 of 21
H4480

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

הָרָֽגְתָּ׃21 of 21

“and also hast slain”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

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 21:13 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 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 21:42 Chronicles 21:112 Chronicles 21:61 Kings 16:30-33Isaiah 26:211 John 3:12

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 21 →

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