King James Version
What Does 2 Chronicles 21:14 Mean?
“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”
Context
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.
16
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(14) **Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people.**—Literally, *Behold, Jehovah is about to smite a great smiting in thy people and in thy sons.* The immediate object of the verb is not expressed. (Comp. 2Chronicles 21:18.) It was Jehoram himself who was smitten *in* his people, and *in* his sons, and *in* his wives, and *in* all his goods, as 2Chronicles 21:17 shows. The “smiting “—*i.e.,* heaven-sent stroke, or Divine visitation—consisted in an invasion of Philistines and Arabs, who sacked Jerusalem and the royal palace.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 21:14 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 21:14
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge