King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 21:15 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Chronicles 21:15 · KJV

Context

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:

17

And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. carried: Heb. carried captive Jehoahaz: also called, Ahaziah, Chap.22.I. or, Azariah, ver.6.

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Commentary

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

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.

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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 · 13 words
וְאַתָּ֛ה1 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַחֹ֔לִי2 of 13

“by reason of the sickness”

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

רַבִּ֖ים3 of 13

“And thou shalt have great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

בְּמַֽחֲלֵ֣ה4 of 13

“by disease”

H4245

sickness

מֵעֶ֙יךָ֙5 of 13

“of thy bowels”

H4578

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

עַד6 of 13
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יֵֽצְא֤וּ7 of 13

“fall out”

H3318

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

מֵעֶ֙יךָ֙8 of 13

“of thy bowels”

H4578

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

מִן9 of 13
H4480

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

הַחֹ֔לִי10 of 13

“by reason of the sickness”

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

יָמִֽים׃11 of 13

“by day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עַל12 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יָמִֽים׃13 of 13

“by day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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 21:15 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 21:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 21:18-19Deuteronomy 28:59Numbers 5:27Acts 1:18Deuteronomy 28:37Deuteronomy 28:27

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