King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 27:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 27:5 in the King James Version says “He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same y... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So: Heb. This

2 Chronicles 27:5 · KJV


Context

3

He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. Ophel: or, the tower

4

Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.

5

He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So: Heb. This

6

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. prepared: or, established

7

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Steady obedience bringing consistent blessing. 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 · 32 words
וְ֠הוּא1 of 32
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

נִלְחַ֞ם2 of 32

He fought

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם3 of 32
H5973

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ4 of 32

also with the king

H4428

a king

בְּנֵ֣י5 of 32

So much 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

עַמּ֔וֹן6 of 32

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וַיֶּֽחֱזַ֣ק7 of 32

and prevailed

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

עֲלֵיהֶם֒8 of 32
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיִּתְּנוּ9 of 32

gave

H5414

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

ל֨וֹ10 of 32
H0
בְּנֵ֣י11 of 32

So much 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

עַמּ֔וֹן12 of 32

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּבַשָּׁנָ֥ה13 of 32

him the same year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַהִ֗יא14 of 32
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

מֵאָה֙15 of 32

an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

כִּכַּר16 of 32

talents

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֔סֶף17 of 32

of silver

H3701

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

עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת18 of 32

and ten

H6235

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

אֲלָפִ֑ים19 of 32

thousand

H505

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

כֹּרִים֙20 of 32

measures

H3734

properly, a deep round vessel, i.e., (specifically) a cor or measure for things dry

חִטִּ֔ים21 of 32

of wheat

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

וּשְׂעוֹרִ֖ים22 of 32

of barley

H8184

barley (as villose)

עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת23 of 32

and ten

H6235

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

אֲלָפִ֑ים24 of 32

thousand

H505

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

זֹ֗את25 of 32

unto

H2063

this (often used adverb)

הֵשִׁ֤יבוּ26 of 32

pay

H7725

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

לוֹ֙27 of 32
H0
בְּנֵ֣י28 of 32

So much 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

עַמּ֔וֹן29 of 32

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּבַשָּׁנָ֥ה30 of 32

him the same year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית31 of 32

him both the second

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

וְהַשְּׁלִשִֽׁית׃32 of 32

and the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)


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 27:5 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 27:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study