King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:16 Mean?

“Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:”

Context

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

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

Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:

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.

And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.

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Topics in This Verse

Holy Spirit

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Moreover.**—*And,* here equivalent to *so.* **The Lord stirred up against Jehoram.**—Isaiah 13:17. The phrase, “stirred up the spirit”—*i.e., the will*—of a man to an undertaking, is found in Jeremiah 51:11; Haggai 1:14 (Comp. 1Chronicles 5:26; Ezra 1:1.) **The Philistines, and of the Arabians.**—These are mentioned together elsewhere as enemies of Judah. (See 2Chronicles 26:7; 2Chronicles 17:11; Jeremiah 25:20.) The invasion of the Philistines and Arabians accords with Joel 3:4-6, and is certainly historical (Thenius on 2Kings 8:23-24). **That were near the Ethiopians.**—Literally, *At the hand of* (*i.e.,* beside) *the Cushites.* Some tribes. of southern Arabia. There were Cushite settlements on both sides of the Red Sea. LXX., well: τοὺς Ἄραβας καὶ τοὺς ὁμόρους τῶν Αἰθιόπων; Vulg., “qui confines sunt Aethiopum.”

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 21:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.