King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 22:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 22:6 in the King James Version says “And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. which: Heb. wherewith they wounded him Azariah: also called, Ahaziah, ver.I. or, Jehoahaz, ver.21.17.

2 Chronicles 22:6 · KJV


Context

4

Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

5

He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead : and the Syrians smote Joram.

6

And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. which: Heb. wherewith they wounded him Azariah: also called, Ahaziah, ver.I. or, Jehoahaz, ver.21.17.

7

And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. destruction: Heb. treading down

8

And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Evil family influence leading to destruction. 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 · 28 words
וַיָּ֜שָׁב1 of 28

And he returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א2 of 28

to be healed

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

בְּיִזְרְעֶ֖אל3 of 28

at Jezreel

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

כִּ֤י4 of 28
H3588

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

הַמַּכִּים֙5 of 28

because of the wounds

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכֻּ֣הוּ7 of 28

which were given

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בָֽרָמָ֔ה8 of 28

him at Ramah

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

בְּהִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וֹ9 of 28

when he fought

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

אֶת10 of 28
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

חֲזָהאֵ֖ל11 of 28

with Hazael

H2371

chazael, a king of syria

מֶ֣לֶךְ12 of 28

king

H4428

a king

אֲרָ֑ם13 of 28

of Syria

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וַֽעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ14 of 28

And Azariah

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

בֶּן15 of 28

the son

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

יְהוֹרָ֧ם16 of 28

Jehoram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ17 of 28

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה18 of 28

of Judah

H3063

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

יָרַ֡ד19 of 28

went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לִרְא֞וֹת20 of 28

to see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת21 of 28
H853

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

יְהוֹרָ֧ם22 of 28

Jehoram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

בֶּן23 of 28

the son

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

אַחְאָ֛ב24 of 28

of Ahab

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

בְּיִזְרְעֶ֖אל25 of 28

at Jezreel

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

כִּֽי26 of 28
H3588

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

חֹלֶ֥ה27 of 28

because he was sick

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

הֽוּא׃28 of 28
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


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 22:6 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 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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