King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 25:12 Mean?

2 Chronicles 25:12 in the King James Version says “And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the roc...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.”

2 Chronicles 25:12 · KJV

Context

10

Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger. home again: Heb. to their place in great: Heb. in heat of anger

11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

12

And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

13

But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. the soldiers: Heb. the sons of the band

14

Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

Read 2 Chronicles 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Half-hearted obedience and pride's consequences. 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 · 14 words
וַֽעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת1 of 14

“And other ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִ֜ים2 of 14

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

חַיִּ֗ים3 of 14

“left alive”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

שָׁבוּ֙4 of 14

“carry away captive”

H7617

to transport into captivity

בְּנֵ֣י5 of 14

“did the children”

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 14

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וַיְבִיא֖וּם7 of 14

“and brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽרֹאשׁ8 of 14

“from the top”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַסֶּ֖לַע9 of 14

“of the rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

וַיַּשְׁלִיכ֛וּם10 of 14

“and cast them down”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽרֹאשׁ11 of 14

“from the top”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַסֶּ֖לַע12 of 14

“of the rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

וְכֻלָּ֥ם13 of 14
H3605

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

נִבְקָֽעוּ׃14 of 14

“that they all were broken in pieces”

H1234

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

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 25:12 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 25:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 20:102 Samuel 12:312 Chronicles 21:8-101 Chronicles 20:3

Places in This Verse

Sela 1Settlement · Modern: Sela · 30.78°N, 35.57°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 25 →

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