King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 21:3 in the King James Version says “And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.”

2 Chronicles 21:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

2

And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

3

And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

4

Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.

5

Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

Read 2 Chronicles 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
נָתַ֥ן1 of 19

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֣ם׀2 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֲ֠בִיהֶם3 of 19

“And their father”

H1

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

מַתָּנ֨וֹת4 of 19

“gifts”

H4979

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

רַבּ֜וֹת5 of 19

“them great”

H7227

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

לְכֶ֤סֶף6 of 19

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּלְזָהָב֙7 of 19

“and of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וּלְמִגְדָּנ֔וֹת8 of 19

“and of precious things”

H4030

preciousness, i.e., a gem

עִם9 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

עָרֵ֥י10 of 19

“cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מְצֻר֖וֹת11 of 19

“with fenced”

H4694

a hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of siege), or (subjectively) a rampart (of protection), (abstractly) fortification

בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה12 of 19

“in Judah”

H3063

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

וְאֶת13 of 19
H853

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

הַמַּמְלָכָ֛ה14 of 19

“but the kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

נָתַ֥ן15 of 19

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִֽיהוֹרָ֖ם16 of 19

“he to Jehoram”

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

כִּי17 of 19
H3588

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

ה֥וּא18 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַבְּכֽוֹר׃19 of 19

“because he was the firstborn”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

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 21:3 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 21:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 11:232 Chronicles 11:5Genesis 25:6Deuteronomy 21:15-17

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 21 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes