King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:17 Mean?

2 Chronicles 21:17 in the King James Version says “And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, a...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 21:17 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

18

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

19

And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

Read 2 Chronicles 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּ1 of 22

“And they came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בִֽיהוּדָה֙2 of 22

“into Judah”

H3063

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

וַיִּבְקָע֔וּהָ3 of 22

“and brake”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

וַיִּשְׁבּ֗וּ4 of 22

“into it and carried away”

H7617

to transport into captivity

אֵ֤ת5 of 22
H853

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

כָּל6 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽרְכוּשׁ֙7 of 22

“all the substance”

H7399

property (as gathered)

הַנִּמְצָ֣א8 of 22

“that was found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

לְבֵית9 of 22

“house”

H1004

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

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ10 of 22

“in the king's”

H4428

a king

וְגַם11 of 22
H1571

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

בָּנָֽיו׃12 of 22

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְנָשָׁ֑יו13 of 22

“also and his wives”

H802

a woman

וְלֹ֤א14 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִשְׁאַר15 of 22

“left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

לוֹ֙16 of 22
H0
בָּנָֽיו׃17 of 22

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

כִּ֥י18 of 22
H3588

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

אִם19 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יְהֽוֹאָחָ֖ז20 of 22

“him save Jehoahaz”

H3059

jehoachaz, the name of three israelites

קְטֹ֥ן21 of 22

“the youngest”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

בָּנָֽיו׃22 of 22

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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 21:17 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 21:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 22:12 Chronicles 25:232 Chronicles 22:62 Chronicles 24:7Job 5:3-4

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